RS800

I'm not an expert on the 800 but I know they changed the design of the mast after while - so you probably need to speak to an owner to get the whole story.  Sails seem cheaper than the 4000.  I also know the crews complain about the jib sheet block and there is a new one available from Holt but being complex it is expensive.  Similarly the standard ratchets are not considered too good and many change to Frediksen (I think that's the name) or to Harken, both are expensive.  The mast track has a tendency to come lose at the bottom.  One cost you should factor in is the Higher & Faster DVD - a must for high performance boats.

I think they should have kept their forum (although not a great contributor I did like reading it    ) when we asked them about it they said it was becuae it didn't get used enough.

Edited by A Seabadger

I have had a 800 since april and had a geat time sailing it.

Insurance with noble (expensive- but worth it) was in the region of 300-350. All ropes seem to last a long time, I've gone through a couple of main halyards, but due to error in how I was rigging it, similarly a few mainsheets wore through due to choosing the wrong type of rope.

There is a yahoo email group, with old messages archived. Generally a friendly bunch with advice easily forthcoming.

The RS website got all changed around and lost the forum and all the boats for sale.. There was also a good section that mentioned how many RS boats were at each club.. where do you sail?

I've heard the sheet loads on the 800 are lower than on the 4000. Have you tried searching for the RS 800 website an the Yachts and Yachting class database?