RS200 or ...?

   I'd have a look at the RS500 if I were you. They have a similar crew weight range to the RS200 (I just did the nationals with 18 st in the boat and it was OK), but it is a faster more exiting boat. At our club all the 200s have died away and are being replaced with 500s. The kids like them as they are fast and the adults go for them because they are quite "sailable" and do not require too much "grunt". They are also great value for money. For some reason RS pitch the price low when compared to the 200. So all in all more bang for your buck!

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Oatsandbeans Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 19 Sep 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 382	Post Options Post Reply Quote Oatsandbeans Report Post Quote Reply Topic: RS200 or ...? Posted: 13 Sep 12 at 7:43am
	I'd have a look at the RS500 if I were you. They have a similar crew weight range to the RS200 (I just did the nationals with 18 st in the boat and it was OK), but it is a faster more exiting boat. At our club all the 200s have died away and are being replaced with 500s. The kids like them as they are fast and the adults go for them because they are quite "sailable" and do not require too much "grunt". They are also great value for money. For some reason RS pitch the price low when compared to the 200. So all in all more bang for your buck!

dogslife Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Groupie Joined: 17 Feb 12 Online Status: Offline Posts: 58	Post Options Post Reply Quote dogslife Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 13 Sep 12 at 8:53am
	Go for the class (RS200 or RS500) that will give you the best fleet racing at your club. You'll learn faster, have loads more support & ultimately have far, far better racing.

Rupert Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 11 Aug 04 Location: Whitefriars sc Online Status: Offline Posts: 8956	Post Options Post Reply Quote Rupert Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 13 Sep 12 at 11:01am
	Yep, I'd agree with dogslife - join in with the fleet. But borrow one first for a couple of races/training sessions and see if you like it.
	Firefly 2324, Puffin 229, Minisail 3446 Mirror 70686

Medway Maniac Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 13 May 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 2788	Post Options Post Reply Quote Medway Maniac Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 13 Sep 12 at 11:17am
	Frankly, a 3000 would be ideal for you. Don't worry about the size of your crew on the wire - I'm 10.5 stone and have regularly sailed with a an 8+ stone crew (shown below), including the odd Force 6, and it really isn't a problem. This year's Nat Champ crew stands barely over 5 foot. And the 3k is certainly the easiest trap/asymmetric to sail. The 500 is relatively heavily canvassed to a 3k - at least try a 3k before you buy a 500. Always assuming your pond is big enough for a trapeze boat, albeit a relatively slow one.
	Wilsonian SC 3000 Class

Oatsandbeans Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 19 Sep 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 382	Post Options Post Reply Quote Oatsandbeans Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 13 Sep 12 at 12:51pm
	The RS500 has a smaller rig that is great for sailors new to the class or even when its a bit windy. The youngsters use them at our club.

Medway Maniac Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 13 May 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 2788	Post Options Post Reply Quote Medway Maniac Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 13 Sep 12 at 1:00pm
	The reason I made my remark on the 500 was because of the reactions of people at the club who have bought and sold them. RS basically whacked on as much sail area as the mast could take; the mainsail roach is quite large; I believe an even larger one was tried but that was deemed even by RS to be too much of a beast. The 3k is certainly more docile, yet in V form a good match for a 500 once the wind is up to trapezing level.
	Wilsonian SC 3000 Class

Rupert Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 11 Aug 04 Location: Whitefriars sc Online Status: Offline Posts: 8956	Post Options Post Reply Quote Rupert Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 13 Sep 12 at 1:10pm
	I've sailed both, and I can't say that I found either too much of a beast, and I'm certainly a cautious sailor. Both would be a trapeze alternative to the 200, if that was wanted.
	Firefly 2324, Puffin 229, Minisail 3446 Mirror 70686

RS400atC Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 04 Dec 08 Online Status: Offline Posts: 3011	Post Options Post Reply Quote RS400atC Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 13 Sep 12 at 1:27pm
	I would also suggest trying to meet a few 200 and 12 sailors and considering whether you fit in with either group. Also, look at the fixture lists and think whether you might want to go to any events later. The RS classes do offer good coaching, which I can strongly recommend. I would also be asking whether you see yourselves committing to a class, or is it a stepping stone to something faster? A year in 200's might be a good entry to a performance boat.

pondmonkey Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 12 Aug 11 Online Status: Offline Posts: 2202	Post Options Post Reply Quote pondmonkey Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 13 Sep 12 at 1:45pm
	interesting advice from 2005.... definitely more bias towards the N12, now it seems that there's more of an even split in opinion. http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1080&PN=1&title=2nd-hand-national-12-or-rs200

Oatsandbeans Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 19 Sep 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 382	Post Options Post Reply Quote Oatsandbeans Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 13 Sep 12 at 1:47pm
	RS do have the tendency to pile sail area onto their boats that can make them tricky to sail (for mere mortals) in winds above 20 knots. The 500 isn't too bad in this respect and if you have the small rig ( same as big rig but with no roach on main) it really is quite manageable in a breeze. The spinnaker is the same, but that means that you go faster offwind, and they say that the faster these boats go the more stable they become - so no problem at all there then!