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markusp View Drop Down
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    Posted: 15 Jan 06 at 8:33pm
Havin had a look at the boat at the boatshow it was very impressive looking and I think RS really have got it spot on. Looking at against the VAGO, no offence to the vago but the 500 looks like a modern racing boat slick and well finished compared to a bodged laser jobby with the vago in my opinion. What do you think our the advantages of both? Can't wait to have a play on the 500 soon.
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Post Options Post Options   Quote yellowhammer Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Jan 06 at 1:38pm
Originally posted by carshalton fc

the people that buy a 500 will be the ones that will put it in the boat park at queen mary's and it will just be one of them things that they will go out in once a year when there is a nice f2 and warm sunshine in the summer. 

spot on luke, unfortunately this profile probably represents about 90% of new boat buyers in this sector ... middle-class parents buying a manageable performance boat to sail with young teenage kids, who quickly grow into rebelious mid-teen kids and lose interest in sailing with their parents, but the parents hang onto the boat just in case, as it's not losing value and makes a good beach boat for the holidays

the rs500 might just break the mould, with the strength of the RS racing circuit behind it, bringing teams back into racing moderate performance single trapeze boats ... the quality of the rig and sail controls would be the main factor for me in its success, this is the main area of development for the V3000 (besides weight reduction)

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Post Options Post Options   Quote Chew my RS Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Jan 06 at 12:28pm
Has anyone seen the MG14s sailed in Oz?  Look pretty sharp to me, maybe more of a 29er rival than RS500, but not necessarily - take off the kite and wire and you have a NS14.
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Post Options Post Options   Quote Sumo Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Jan 06 at 9:58am

Having bought a Vago during the summer I am perrhaps the target market for this class of dinghy. I have to say that if the RS500 was launched at the same time as the Vago and I was just looking to sail double handed all the time I would have picked the RS500, i.e. bigger sail area, likely to weigh less. I don't however sail double handed all the time and this is where for me the Vago is a better boat, i.e. the jib is relatively small and the dinghy sails well without it.

I don't percieve the RS500 as competing with either the 4k or the 29er as the RS500 looks to be a much easier boat to sail, maybe RS have found a gap in the market?

 

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Post Options Post Options   Quote redback Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 Jan 06 at 7:02pm

I think carshalton fc is right - this is a boat that is very likely to sit in the dinghy park and get used very occasionally and as far as RS is concerned it can still be a success.  There's no point in saying they should have bought a 4000 they are completely different animals.  There are many more difficult boats than the 4000 but you have to accept there are plenty of quite competent sailors who wouldn't be able to cope in the stronger winds and for them the 500, Vago, Buzz, 3000 are a good choice.  We'll see which dominates.

And for ifoxal - its clear we both sail at the same club!

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Post Options Post Options   Quote MainlySwimming Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 Jan 06 at 12:51pm

Was not aware that the support of a mollusc was so important for new dinghy classes.  Suggest Vandercraft employ a cockle immediately to counter the impact of the RS mussel

 

 

 

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Post Options Post Options   Quote carshalton fc Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 Jan 06 at 12:48pm

yer you have a good point but if you want trills and good racing you will go for a 4000.  the minimum weight for that is 130kg for helm and crew.  and it has a great association that has events all round the country and who can complain with 50+boats at the nationals,   why would you go for the 500 when you can have this sort of racing?

the people that buy a 500 will be the ones that will put it in the boat park at queen mary's and it will just be one of them things that they will go out in once a year when there is a nice f2 and warm sunshine in the summer. 

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Post Options Post Options   Quote ifoxwell Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 Jan 06 at 12:36pm

I disagree. I also had a good look at it at the boat show and I think it will make an excellent racing class. Although there are lot of single trapeze asymmetric’s out there most are either showing there age or are just to much boat for a smaller helm and crew. The only real modern option that these people have is a 29er which is a bit sensitive for the inexperienced and the circuit is full of teenagers. Fine if you are one but not so much for the others or mums and dads.

 

The 3000 association have realised this growing problem hence the revamp with Vandercraft and they have produced a lovely boat. The test boat has been sailing at my club for a few months and looks very impressive. What they don’t have however is the mussel of a large company behind them.

 

I think if the 500 is built and marketed as well as the rest of the RS range, if it is as easy to sail as a Buzz or 3000 and if it can give some of the thrills of a 29er then they are onto a winner!

 

Ian  

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Post Options Post Options   Quote redback Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 Jan 06 at 12:12am
I had a look at it at the boat show.  No doubt it will be built in the far east which is why the price is competitive.  I would guess slightly faster than a Vago, perhaps a bit more forgiving than a V3000, probably a Buzz competititor.  Knowing RS its bound to be a success.  Simple clean design with enough space for an adult in the front (unlike a Vago) but still needs a bit of development.  Like the Vago I think it is designed to fit the training and Menorca Sailing type role - I somehow don't see it as a keen racing class.
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Post Options Post Options   Quote MainlySwimming Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11 Jan 06 at 2:01pm

I had a look at the 500 at the show...personally I had a mixed reaction.  The rig was bigger than I expected, with a very square top section on the main, and big assy. Looked like it would be simple, and a blast to sail.

However, for a potentially sub PY1000 boat it does seem to have been designed down to the price a bit...no controls are led to the side, jib tension can't be adjusted on the water etc.  However, one big factor in the small price (for the size / performance) is that it will apparently be built abroad

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