RS400 downsizing

Wes,

The 200 is actually a much tippier boat than the 400.  The loads are much less, so you need less strength, but you do need to be more agile.  The Laser 2000 is easier, but slightly slower, and as you say, Axebridge has a good RS fleet, so probably the 200 is the way to go.

I love the 400, but dropping the kite is a bit of a pain.  Why can't they go twin patch?

 

I moved from a two string system like a 400 to a one string like a 29er in my Cherub. I think I prefer two strings for hoists but one for drops - its good to be able to pull the pole out before the mark and then have less string to get the kite up

See once you get used to the 400 kite you dont actually have to put your head down to do the kite on the 400.

For the Hoist:

1. Get kite sheets in the right position. Some put them next to the helm others dont.

2.If its light and your on the layline then you can pull the pole out early and Let outhaul off. If its windy at this stage and you're not 100% you will be able to get low for the hoist you take the windward sheet out of the elastic that keeps it tidy.

3. If its breeze as you go in for the pole line (I as the crew always did the pole line) you can pop the outhaul off. Then you pull the pole out i always went for this with my right arm (this takes one big pull and if you dont think it has taken the slack out of the rope then you give it a tweak as you grab the halyard with the other hand). As soon as the pole is fully out the helm sets the pole angle. This is normaly just hard over unless you are sailing a relatively reach in which case if you have a mark on either side where the pole is central you just pull it to there.

4. Grab kite halyard (i always went with my left hand as that meant i knew i finished with my right and i could grab the sheet as i did the last armful) and give 4 or 5 big pulls dependant on size.

5. If its windy you can then as you sheet in go straight out to hiking or if its light you can sheet in quickly and then get down into sitting back against the thwart and feet up the chute (this hurts when gybing as basicly u fall down the hill and then move your feet)


Basicly this is the process for a drop:

1. Give helm sheet (in certain situations)

2. Go in and take up the slack on the downhaul (2 small armfuls starting with my left hand then regrab with your left hand as you carry out stage three).

3. Pull the chord which releases both Halyard and Pole lines at this point the helm uncleats the wing wang but keeps hold of it.

4. crew uses 2 (or 3 if your small again starting with your left hand) armfuls on the downhaul at which point the patch is at or near the block tied to the crews toestrap. (Helm lets go of wing wang)

5. Now if you are on a downwind leg and have enough time you can fall down so ur sitting on the thwart and pull your hand (left) back and the whole lot hits the bag in one go.
Alternatively if you have left it really late or you are on a reach and want weight up you can take the patch with you over the side and then throw it back in the right direction once its right in.

6.Tidy up once you get a chance.

That was our system and we were usually the last of the late droppers and only very rarely had any problems but they were usually extreem situations. Our halyard never went around the back of the boat. It came out of the mast through the release chord, hallayrd cleat, halyard block and then went straight accross the CB case and through the downhall block.

What makes a good kite system?

One which:
Has little frition in it.
You are comfortable using.
You know exactly what to do to be most efficent.

In saying that before i sailed cheese before bed time i was told that the kite system was awful and I had no problems with it and in the laser 2000 we spent a while setting all the lengths (single string) and we never had a single problem with it whereas other seem to hate it.

Originally posted by Calum_Reid What makes a good kite system? One which: Has little frition in it. You are comfortable using. You know exactly what to do to be most efficent.

Thats why I think the B14 and the 18ft Skiff have the best kite systems... simplicity itself!  Of course, its a little more work and a lot of hassle if it goes wrong...

the bag system, (like the 18fter or B14) is fine, as long as you always have enough time and space to bear away onto a run, in order to come into the boat and move the wieght forward. personally i prefer the single line hoist-drop system. with a downhaul and chute, (as opposed to a bag) you can leave it longer at the leward mark becaue you know all you have to do is pull a string and the kite will vanish. you can also keep the weight back and/or on the side if necessary.

another advantage on symetric boats with a chute is that the helm can be dropping and stowing the kite while the crew is disposing of the pole, so the whole operation is shorter. but i think that only a few classes are like this eg: laser 2, 505, and ?merlin rocket?