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RS200 or ...?
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dogslife View Drop Down
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Posts: 58 		Post Options Post Options   Quote dogslife Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: RS200 or ...?
    Posted: 25 Sep 12 at 11:08am
Ben, from the very brief outings I've had in 200's I'm absolutely certain that you'll find they are anything but unbalanced bathtubs especially in a decent breeze when they really come alive downwind. Additionally, technically & tactically they're demand and rewarding to sail (just look at the names that race them year in year out), hence the reason they're sailed so widely and typically get double the number of boats at major events compared to 12's.

For me the problem with boats like 12's is that unless you can commit loads of time & money you'll never know if it's you or the kit that's the reason you're off the pace. Whereas boats like the 200 are so similar to one another & so easy to set up, you can just get on and enjoy the sport. And of course come the day you decide to change class (or stop sailing) you'll have a boat that you can sell without too many problems & more than likely lose a lot less money.
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marke View Drop Down
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Posts: 211 		Post Options Post Options   Quote marke Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 Sep 12 at 12:35pm
Ben

Well its not often that I agree with GRF and PondMonkey - indeed "never" would probably be a better estimate.  On this occasion though I would be tempted to give the RS200 another trial in some wind.

After close on 30 years racing all types of dinghies but mostly 505, 49er and B14, I somewhat reluctantly decided to get an RS200 to sail with my teenage daughter.  On reflection they have been three of the best years club racing I have had.  The 200 is not as refined as a 12,  but it does a lot of things really well.  It will be competitve at Chew in most windstrengths when sailing on handicap and will give you close boat-to-boat racing with the other 200s (and the 12s).  With a bit of practice it can be sailed in any wind strength that they will start a race, and as PondMonkey said the kite gives you lots of options for the downwind work (once you understand how to use it).  Its easy to maintain and tune - but requires attention on the water to have everything in the right gear all the time.  My ratio of sailing to boat work has gone way up.  Add to that a healthy local open meeting series in the south west, and a great resale value.  If you are the right weight (17-22 st) I can't think of a much better boat to return to dinghy racing - worst case you and your crew get some experience of a three sail boat and sell it after a year for very little depreciation.

Three years on, my daughter has just thrown me out of the 200 so she can sail with her mate, and I've just bought another 200 to sail with my teenage son.  Unfortunately she beat me first time we raced one another - and unfortunately I wasn't sandbagging - bugger!

Mark
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pondmonkey View Drop Down
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Posts: 2202 		Post Options Post Options   Quote pondmonkey Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 Sep 12 at 1:27pm
Originally posted by marke



Well its not often that I agree with GRF and PondMonkey - indeed "never" would probably be a better estimate.  

Mark

except on this occasion, oh yes, and that fundamentally dinghy sailing is good fun.   Hug
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G.R.F. View Drop Down
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Posts: 4028 		Post Options Post Options   Quote G.R.F. Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 Sep 12 at 4:26pm
I should just point out, that I've never sailed either boat although I have raced against a 200 (with an L3k and remember a considerable lead being eroded as the wind dropped) as to a 12, I've no idea what it is, whatever it is, it's not long enough 12 ft is a useless length especially in waves, 14 ft is the very minimum one should consider when designing a proper boat. So anything called twelve or featuring twelve in it's measurements is a toy or a muddlers messer, that should be avoided and the owners pitied for their lack of awareness of all things real in boating experience..

Awaits smart arse references to the length of the 200

In case you were wondering I was just trying to save you from being sucked back in time, any mention of Mirror, Miracle or Fireball is the nostalgic ravings of the beard and sandalled would be pipe smoker (if he/she still had the strength to fill and lift it...)

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Edited by G.R.F. - 25 Sep 12 at 4:30pm
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rodney View Drop Down
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Posts: 915 		Post Options Post Options   Quote rodney Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 Sep 12 at 5:07pm
Originally posted by G.R.F.

I should just point out, that I've never sailed either boat although I have raced against a 200 (with an L3k and remember a considerable lead being eroded as the wind dropped) as to a 12, I've no idea what it is, whatever it is, it's not long enough 12 ft is a useless length especially in waves, 14 ft is the very minimum one should consider when designing a proper boat. So anything called twelve or featuring twelve in it's measurements is a toy or a muddlers messer, that should be avoided and the owners pitied for their lack of awareness of all things real in boating experience..

Awaits smart arse references to the length of the 200

In case you were wondering I was just trying to save you from being sucked back in time, any mention of Mirror, Miracle or Fireball is the nostalgic ravings of the beard and sandalled would be pipe smoker (if he/she still had the strength to fill and lift it...)

National 12 Sailor

ER!  I'm sure that saw him sailing a Solo at HISC  Confused

Thinking about is perhaps you should leave the wooden boats alone and just burn the grey beards?


Edited by rodney - 25 Sep 12 at 5:09pm
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ChrisJ View Drop Down
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Posts: 337 		Post Options Post Options   Quote ChrisJ Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 Sep 12 at 5:12pm
RE:>> 14 ft is the very minimum

So, GRF... when are you getting a Merlin??
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Hector View Drop Down
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Posts: 750 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Hector Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 Sep 12 at 5:18pm
I sailed an RS200 at the weekend. Just great. I normally sail either a 29er or 49er and both are arguably more exciting (and the 29er is an option for you). But the 200 does so many things so very well, that it would have to be the choice for you. The downwind tactics are actually massively important - no blasting to the lay lines as can be the case in the faster Asymmetrics.

And there's the depreciation issue. I've looked for cheap 200s on and off over the years - never seen one. Cheap twelves - plenty. BUT if it isnt a Dead Cat Bounce it isn't up to speed, and is depreciating fast. Even the DCB will depreciate once the next advance is made.
That said, there is an 'old 12s' section at most opens, and if you can get your club to give you a PN based on its era rather than current performance, and you like the beard and pipe look - - - .


Edited by Hector - 25 Sep 12 at 5:19pm
Keith
29er 661 (with my daughters / nephew)
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RS200 968
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G.R.F. View Drop Down
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Posts: 4028 		Post Options Post Options   Quote G.R.F. Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 Sep 12 at 7:48pm
Originally posted by ChrisJ

RE:>> 14 ft is the very minimum

So, GRF... when are you getting a Merlin??
https://www.ease-distribution.com/
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