RS Q'ba

OK – firstly, I think that the Q’BA is an excellent boat, mainly due to it’s versatility. It is very comfortable, and it is great to sail.

The choice of sails (large/small and jib) provides a great deal of flexibility with regards to wind speeds.

However skslr, your post was looking for information about light wind capabilities:

I am 80kg, and just about 10cm shorter than you are. I have lots of room in the Q’BA (yes, I sail one!) and I certainly  don’t have any problems in light winds.

There is so much “deck” space in the Q’BA that I can very comfortably sail the boat in light winds lying down! Once on a run, if I’m being really competitive, then I’ll kneel up so that I can get my weight as far forward as possible.

The gunwales are roomy and rounded (no need for hiking pants!).

Webmuppet is right about the Q’BA – it is very much like a Pico, but with numerous design improvements. The Feva really isn’t anything like the Q’BA at all (it’s a youth boat, that doesn’t sail well single-handedly, and it’s unstable in comparison. Plus, without the asymmetric, the Feva is slow).

Speed-wise, the Q’BA is not fast. Don’t expect it to go fast, but do expect it to be comfy and stable. The handicap is, as yet, uncertain, but it isn’t a bandit. RS have been recommending a trial number of 1260 for the small sail, and 1220 for the large sail. However, I have been racing the Q’BA this year and I, the Q’Bas designer and my club have reached an agreement that a trial number of 1230 (for both the large and small sail) seems accurate and “fair”. I have a jib, but I do not use it – yet.

The Q’BA will just about keep up with the Laser Radial in light airs with the large sail, to give you an idea of speeds. Obviously, a well-sailed Radial will beat the Q’BA easily, even on handicap, but at least you can get out of the Q’BA and walk at the end of the race!

[The RS Vareo has been mentioned – I beat our Vareos on the water (usually), that’s without the handicap!]