rs200 crew weight

Hi Merlin,

I used to sail a 200.  In my experience, over 21-22 stone struggles to be competitive in the marginal planing stuff. Th etop teams tend to be fairly light, but it depends how competitive you wish to be.  The biggest problem I had though was my weight (about 14 stone) in the back.  With that weight it is difficult to get the stern out unless you sit forward of the thwart whilst helming (which is difficult).  In summary, 14+ stone is really too heavy to helm a 200 competitively, but it'll be a much easier boat for your wife to manage.

Wont the 400 be to much for my wife who is only 5ft2 and 7-7.5 (wet) stone??  Whats the ideal helm weight for a 200??  I can feel another diet coming on!

MerlinBoy

Are you sailing inland or the sea (Can't remember where you are!) I find the inland sailing you want to be lighter so a 400 could be best. As for the sea, the 200 may fair better.

Me and OH have a 200 but are rather heavy for the boat. I think you would be  OK but I dont know for definate about the actual crew weights, I could ask for you on their yahoo group that tends to get replies a lot quicker.

Probably about 12 stone max really. although there are heavier helms and there are teams at that weight in the 200.

You would be fine in the 400, they carry a very wide weight range. I believe Roj won the nats the first time just over 21 stone. And they will happily carry 28. also being 14 stone at the widest part of the boat will help you out alot.

 The loads arent any more than the 200. in fact the jib is less in stong winds (due to the fact that the turning point is a plastic eye, rather than a ratchet block on the 400.