RS Boats

i have to totally disagree with this, I believe it is the reverse, these days, particularly the up and coming youth are not so interested in the contenders and 12's and such classes (with respect i know there is a percentage that is interested but it is not a majority trust me, i am a youth) the RS range represents affordable longetivity. The launch of the  600 saw a new "age" as such in affordable single handed performance. I dont think it is fair to bash them for the 700 launch to coincide with the musto, yes they are very similar but the ethos from my perspective for the 700 was again equalised racing on the amazing circuits that all RS classes share and to provide a next step in terms of perfomrance from the 600 (although they are slightly different boats). In owning an RS these days you are pretty much guranteed local competition and an excellent build quality from teh outset. The events continue to be some of the best the UK has to offer. The RS range has something to offer for almost all people (id like to meet someone in a situation that cant be catered for though) Having left the RYA focused youth classes a while ago, i havnt looked back, since then ive been actively racing a 200 mostly along with a bit of 14, lead-mine and 400 racing. Theres never been a time when ive not come in and not learned something that has enhanced my sailing. The class associations are second to none and the after market advice and service from LDC  cannot be faultered. Anyone who owns or sails an RS will say the same. You cannot faulter a company for being competitive in the market place, the same scenario is found worldwide. Laser have done it for years now so have topper. I think it is safe to say that the RS range is indeed superior so is in the public spotlight a lot more these days at the end of the day it is you who choose which boat you want to sail, and if a company is putting the ideal boat for people in varying situations onto the market, then why complain. At the end of the day it puts people and boats on the water. The more boats on the water the more recognition our sport gets. They must be doing something right if there classes are thriving in the UK with fleets growing year on year. It should be noticed in the 300 alone, yes it has taken a while but people are catching on to what a great boat it actually is, its even drawing people away from Lasers into it as they want a new challenge, yes you will never make a big dent in the laser fleet but who hasnt been bored in a Laser from time to time??? Same question for the 300, i doubt there will be many people bored in a 300.... They provide excellent well thought solutions so why complain

As turntutle said, adapt and survive, they are only catering for demand. The classes that have survived so long have done so because of changes in rules etc to bring them up to date. Having sailed a development class (moth) its good being in the crowd with all the latest advances, but its expensive so i sold out of the classes and im moving into a SMOD because i know  that what im getting for my money is exaclty what i want from a class and i know that in time changes will bring about new smods or updates to existing ones. people are already experimenting (linotn jenkins the designer of the british hydrofoils for moths has made a set for a 600 recently)

Edited by Chris Noble

I would not say the Lasr has destroyed most of the single handers. What the Laser did (at it's launch) was make sailing easily affordable with a low maintenance boat (Some might say the Model T ford of the sailing world).

Since then many other classes have come and gone, I would say there are very few people around who can say they have never sailed a Laser at some point in their sailing life.

As for the Blaze, it has had a come back and being in the gap between a Laser and a Phantom in terms of weight I have just bought one. Much more challenging to me than the Laser but definitely a much nicer boat to sail.

Just my 2p (as always)....

Paul

smods just seem to have a geniric feel to them rather than devlopment.  they are like a ford just made for everyone.  which is probally why the lasers are gray or used to be magnolia.

Its already been said, if a little criptically...... the RS range has profited on an already existing (at the outset) trend in the dinghy market. If you are going to say that is a bad thing, then your issue is with the people who by them, not sell them. They have run a shrewd business plan and given the market what is was begging for. A boat in a box - pay you money and go for a sail, no strings attached (no pun intended).

I think the greatest thing traditional classes can gleam from this success is that it isn't the cost of a new boat which deters potential buyers, but the worry that you can spend the balance on the price tag and not have the same gear as somebody else. For many classes, trying out developments, I think sail, boat and gear developers/manufacturers should be reined in a little.

Originally posted by olly_love Lets not forget the laser destroying most of the single handers. all except the phantom or finn which cope with higher weights.

Let's not forget 79 boats at the Solo nationals either. Rather more than Phantom or Finn.