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Stevie_GTI View Drop Down
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Posts: 134 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Stevie_GTI Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: RS 500
    Posted: 27 Oct 08 at 11:10pm

I reckon in very light winds the 500 would be pretty damn close to the 29er. Not going to get drawn into the debate about which boat is best cause i dont feel they are direct rivals for each other, they are similar boats aimed at different people.

Only sailed a 500 on 2 occasions, one was in 30 knotts and it seemed very stable and went pretty quick tho I think my technique was a bit out with the mainsheet not being off the boom, and the other was in about 8 knotts where the boat felt really powered up with the crew flat wiring and me hiking.

Back on topic though, I would say a 500 sounds like a good option for the OP
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PeteM View Drop Down
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Posts: 22 		Post Options Post Options   Quote PeteM Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 Oct 08 at 3:34pm

Interesting thread and thought as one of the longest servcing 500 owners (519) and also an Ex-Fireball sailor I'd add my thoughts:

RS500 vs Fireball, The 500 is quicker, however the Fireball is still an active class with over 15000 boats and you can buy a club level competitive boat for not much money. It is certainly more forgiving in the gybe - however - as someone else pointed out - it requires a good crew who knows how to fly a symmetric kite properly.  The only reason I moved to the 500 was because my crew that I'd trained for 2 years decided to move to pastures new and I knew that I could always get a reasonable crew at my club on the 500.  The Juniors jump at the chance so I'm never without a crew.

RS500 vs 29'er - one of our Juniors regularly sailed his Dad's 500 and also the club 29'er.  In the 29'er he spent most of the time gazing at the centreboard, in the 500 he was quickest by far in almost any wind.  If you really want to get to grips with the 29'er I'm sure it is a fast and rewarding boat, however the 500 is nearly as fast and far more forgiving.

Weight has been covered, at the recent 500 coaching weekend at Datchet the fastest boat was sailed by 2 adult males of about 22-23st in light breezes who used technique to leave everyone else behind.

So my recommendation - if your club sails Fireballs (Draycote etc.) and you can get a regular committed crew, then go for it for the class racing.  If your club is like ours with a menagerie of all sorts, the 500 is a great boat and after 21/2 years of continous sailing still seems pretty robust.  Fast boat and easy to get a crew.  The mix of crews at Datchet earlier in the month showed what a versatile boat it is.

Regards

Pete RS500 519
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NickA View Drop Down
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Posts: 784 		Post Options Post Options   Quote NickA Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 Oct 08 at 8:02pm
Do try the latest incarnation of the 3000 before you make the jump.  You'd be trading the heavy old laser 3000 GRP hull in favour of lightweight hand-built foam/epoxy and getting modern mylar/kevlar sails that are better tuned to the boat. 

That old slow wind sluggedlyness has gone and the boat will plane down wind in F2 and upwind at the top end of F3.  There is now loads of room inside the boat due to relocation of the kicker and mainsheet block.  Of course you still suffer a ridiculous lack of freeboard and endless rope spaghetti .....but can't have everything.

The RS500 most probably has a higher ultimate top speed (the kite is huge for one thing) and is altogether more powerful, but also heavier and seemingly a bit harder to handle.  I rarely have trouble beating our local one in a V3000.

To an extent.  RS500 = Golf GTi.  V3000 = gokart. 

Fireball = totally different animal (slightly temperamental TVR?).  Wide range of available componentry and needs spinaker and rig tuning skills that the 3k and RS500 just don't. 

PS: our kites are also black.  It's getting a bit ubiquitous.  My next one will be special order Red.
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hollandsd View Drop Down
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Posts: 853 		Post Options Post Options   Quote hollandsd Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 Oct 08 at 8:16pm
"The RS500 most probably has a higher ultimate top speed (the kite is huge for one thing) and is altogether more powerful, but also heavier and seemingly a bit harder to handle."

i dont think this is true, it is all to do with power to weight and wetted surface area more than the sails, i think that big sails = big drag, little sails = little drag therefore the 3k has a greater top speed.
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tmoore View Drop Down
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Posts: 880 		Post Options Post Options   Quote tmoore Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 Oct 08 at 12:38am

the 29er/rs500 debate is so old. put simply the 500 is easier to sail in any given wind speed than the 29er. however the circuit is not as good and neither is the reward when you get it right. in order to make it work in the 29er you need a good, reliable crew/helm combination. in the 500 you can take out any numptie in most winds and still get around the course without swimming.

i would say the 500 is best for you if your changing crews often. however if you plan on sailing with someone almost all the time then the 29er is available for very reasonable money at the moment (often with 2sets of sails for £2500). this c.f the 500 at £4000+ with only one set of rags.

i personally wouldnt go symetric because of the extra complication etc. i can use them but the assy is so much simpler, easier and (in my opinion) more fun.
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pj41 View Drop Down
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Posts: 2 		Post Options Post Options   Quote pj41 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14 Nov 08 at 1:58pm

Are there any reviews that give the relative pros and cons of the RS200, RS400 and V3000?

I am currently an Ent sailor (due to small children) who has previously sailed cats and Contenders. The children are now gettibng bigger and I am looking for more of a challenge.

Cheers,

PJ41
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radixon View Drop Down
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Posts: 2407 		Post Options Post Options   Quote radixon Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14 Nov 08 at 3:17pm
Originally posted by pj41

Are there any reviews that give the relative pros and cons of the RS200, RS400 and V3000?

I am currently an Ent sailor (due to small children) who has previously sailed cats and Contenders. The children are now gettibng bigger and I am looking for more of a challenge.

Cheers,

PJ41

RS 200 v's RS 400 is all about crew/helm weight.

If you want a trapeeze then the V3000 and RS500 come into the frame.

It all depends on what you want and how heavy you are.
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Medway Maniac View Drop Down
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Posts: 2788 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Medway Maniac Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14 Nov 08 at 3:55pm

Precisely as Mr Dixon states, the V3000 only comes into play if you or your kids want to trapeze. If you do, pm me and we'll try to sort you out a demo - need to pick our day at this time of year though (or maybe I'm just getting soft(er)).

A lot of 3k's are sailed by parent-teenager combinations (couples is the other common combination), so it could be a good fit.
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pj41 View Drop Down
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Posts: 2 		Post Options Post Options   Quote pj41 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14 Nov 08 at 10:32pm

Thanks for the feedback - great forum.

Helm weight around 13st, crew varying from 7st - 11st. Trapeze would certainly keep the kids intersted, but not essential for next boat - might be too big a step.

I am guessing that 24st is too much for a 200, but would a 400 be ok - do either of the RS use a GNAV - looks great for crew space?

Cheers,

PJ41 

 
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