what to get

try crewing a fireball, put a ad on site as a crew available for the worlds (teignmouth) then ya get that big fleet experience an see if you like the boat.

www.fireball-dinghy.org.uk

P.S

theres 270+ boats expected

Stuff the Vortex, go for the 600, leads  onto bigger and better things! A lot of people I know have sold their Vortexs and went into MPS, back to Lasers or into 600s. Rumours are Laser have ceased Vortex production too. I'd like a 600 myself for when I'm crewless, and thats for very good reasons......

Dude, have a go on a 600 - its very overated. Its not that tippy at all, and trapezing is very easy on it! Ok - in 25knots on the wire, going for the gybe is interesting, but if you dont have a challange, whats the point in sailing a performance boat?!

And you can reef a 600 until you get used to her or when the winds up, but what I'd do is forget about the reefing system and just go for it. Half the fun will be when you scare yourself then you'll be gasping to go out in the boat again. Alternatively, take a loan out and get an MPS, remember you're only young once!

Don't you just love it when people start using one example as proof that something is fact.

A Vortex faster than a 49er? - no of course not.

But is it impossible that (say) a well sailed 29er couldn't go faster than a poorly sailed 49er - especially offwind when he might be in a gust and the 49er not. I'll admit it's a stretch but thats the sort of thing Carsholton says he saw. Under the right circumstances it's perfectly possible to blast past many a 'faster' boat (including Cherubs and Laser 4000s). Bet you've all done it.

In the same vein, just 'cos you blasted past a kited Vortex doesn't mean much -how good was the guy?  Also, a look on their website reveals they have only just finished the development of the kite, ending up with a 15m2 beast as opposed to the 10.5 they started with. They are all on a learning curve and will no doubt get quicker. 

DW please don't use inflamatory language - and just because a 'lot of people' you know have changed class doesn't mean there's anything wrong with the original class. I know stacks of people who used to sail Laser 1s and now sail RS200, 400 800 MPS 49er Mirror, Fireball and even Vortex. Just cos they changed it doesn't follow that there's anything wrong with the Laser 1.

They may change for better local competition, for a bigger challenge or any number of reasons.

Back to the subject, 5420 - the RS600 is a great boat - a bit tippy, but if you want a challenge it will certainly provide it. Still not sure why you're not considering the Contender - it was one of your original listed possibles, has a good open circuit and can be bought very cheap.