V3000

I think they are missing an opportunity here in sticking with single-source or builder-supplied sails.  Without knowing the background it is easy to criticise.  It maybe that Sobstad helped with some of the rig development and bore these costs hoping they would get pay back later.

I personally prefer the supplied hull and spars and free-choice of sails ( like the B14).  Sails wear out quicker than hulls and therefore development/ obsolesence is less of an issue.

The advantage of letting sailmakers in is that it normally encourages an influx of good sailors hoping to sell sails while competition keeps the sail prices- honest.  Admittedly measuring sails is an unavoidable consequence, but doesn't seem such a huge inconvenience.

Ah, somebody else thinks like me.  Yes I'd agree the V3000 will knock the Vago for six.  However there is probably room for both - just as there seems to be room for the Phantom, RS300 and the Blaze.  The Vago will appeal to the beginner who's looking for a trapeze and an image, the V3000 will appeal to the more experienced lightwieght who would notice the lack of stiffness in the Vago.  You have to remember the V3000 has the pedigree of a Bethwaite hull, could well be a little longer and yet lighter.  It has a more sophisticated rig and more room.  It's a pity the V3000 wasn't around a few years ago it could well have become the youth performance boat, but know it will have to compete against the 29er.

And just to mention another improvement which I suspect is going to improve its light air performance quite abit.  Because of the gnav, the lower shrouds go much higher up the mast this opens a space for the crew to go forward of the mast in the light stuff.  I bet we are going to see its PY number as even more advantageous and in time it will have to creep down a couple of points.  Does anybody know how it compares with the Vago?  I'd say it has to be almost as fast as a Fireball now and 20 to 50 points lower than a Vago.  This is however conjecture since I haven't sailed either.

Sounds like a winner to me if they market it properly.

I was quite surprised when the 3000 died out, it always seemed like a good little boat to me but the manufacturer/class association just seemed to be too fixed on the whole 'one design' thing and a couple of easily corected faults let it down, Faults which now seem to have been sorted!!

Im interesed about this water balast though, does it just involve the new boats leaving thier bungs out on the trip to the startline or something? why not just suply an optional 'lead kit'?