RS500 ...

See early sections of the thread on levels of consumer debt.

damp_freddie - FD a displacement boat upwind? If you fancy a ride in one sometime, let me know, then we can discuss it in the bar afterwards. You can't seriously believe an 800 is quicker upwind? Downwind, I'll admit it's a different matter, we're slugs on crutches compared with any twin-wire assy, but that wasn't the point I was making.

My concern isn't with the specifics of the new RS blandmobile, and I agree that the 800 is a cracking boat, but what happens to it when RS move on? Class dies, boats become almost worthless, and it really doesn't do anything for dinghy sailing as a whole. Not RS's fault specifically, but it is a problem.

Neil

I think RS have a very good record of staying with the classes they've designed as there is not one which they've stopped building. Certainly they are one of the best in the SMOD world and they are still happily building 600 and 300's when there is demand.

The one obvious exception was the B14 which also stands out as being the one boat which was not their own design.  I'm not sure of the full history here, but I can easily imagine that the licensing model didn't fit with their business strategy.  The class seems to be thriving in any case.

Ian

RS700 GBR912

I dunno you go away for a few days away from the interweb and there is a massive thread to catch up on.  Firstly, apologies if I repeat anything, it’s very difficult to come in to these things late in the day. I believe LDC’s idea of a gap in the market is totally misplaced. The ISO/Buzz and 4000 sailors of the nineties who still want the adrenaline rush will not get it from this boat. I don’t think it’s unreasonable for two adults to weigh 150Kg which is over the top banding in the press release. Perhaps the sums didn’t add up, if you use a carbon rig and large sails you’ve still got the cost of an RS800 but without the perceived ego factor. In summary it’s not at all what I was hoping for, something that could nip at the heels of an 800 downwind in some conditions and not be too off the pace going up. LDC will make it a success via the owners association, to the detriment of which fleet RS or otherwise only time will tell. Maybe with a bigger rig and sail combo it would do it for me, would an RS505 fit in LDC's numbering strategy.