RS500

Originally posted by FRIENDLY SAILER Is The rig powerful and hard to manage? Powerful enough, not difficult Optimum weight range, good for youths/lightweights? 130 kilo  Easy to capsize (stability) more stable then a VAGO and much more space Easy to right when capsized (how many crew will you need) You can do it on your own, but the you need to be at least 80 kilo  Fast? Does it have a PY yet? if so anyone know it? Faster the VAGO and V3000 I would say; if you're under 65 kilo, take the V3000 and accept that it's not a comfortable sit in boat. The vago is the best boat in the plastic 2 lightweigt persons category. If you want a welldesigned boat that has a professional feel; buy the RS500 (I bought one this year and am very satisfied)

I cant say that i agree with some of that, Ive righted a laser 4000, buzz, and (in lighter conditions) an 800 on my own, so i cant see how you'd need to be 80kg to right a 500 on your own.
And for a crew weighing anywhere near 65kg, the 3000 feels VERY underpowered.  From the few times ive sailed a L3000, it took a fair bit of wind for me to feel comfy on the wire.  I reckon much more than 58 kg on the wire of a 3000 and your going to get frustrated about not getting on the wire much. 
As for the 500 being faster than the 3000, Its far too early to tell.  We have a very well sailed V3000 at our club and i think a 500 would be hard pushed to be consistently quicker on the water.  Only time will tell which is outright faster but dont let provisional PY numbers be an indication to a boats speed, the likes of the moth and cherub are testiment to that. 

At current there's only one V3000 really making the most speed out of it so he's certainly who the 500 would be better compared with.  Hopefully i'l be getting a chance to jump on the helm of the 500 soon enough.  So far as me comparing against the maniac, If the V appears fractionally quicker then the boats should be getting the same speeds.  Working on that basis, a performance comparison should be easy enough. 
At the moment from racing against the V3000, i just cant see the 500 getting comfortably infront. 

And who's this third V going to??  Im usualy in the know with these things

Doug.H

Edited by Doug.H

come on Doug keep up.

Ian

Current Verdict on 500
Crewed the 500 today in some big breeze and then in some more moderate breeze as it died in the afternoon.  I think the handicap of 972 which i believe it is currently sailing under is reasonably accurate.  People can debate the py all they like but from the boats i raced against today the ones that i expected to beat, we beat and the ones i expected to beat us, did. 
Performance wise, Its consistently slower than the 29er and 4000 over conditions but they are by NO means screaming ahead. 
Righting the boat - Peice of P!ss!  I did it on my own against the wind with the helm hanging on the leeward side (i didnt realise that till he was nicely scooped up into the boat ) and im relatively light. 

Again another boat where IMO the controls are lead to rubbish positions, the kicker in the center (slightly over to the starboard side) and the downhaul on one side of the mast!

Im yet to helm it but from my very PERSONAL crewing opinon, its a nicer boat to sail than the buzz and Laser 3000 (Not the V3000, as im yet to sail it to compare)

Take what you like from this, i just thought i'd let you know how i got on. 

Doug.H

P.s  I'l be looking to race the V3000 next week to see how they compare, though sadly still not helming

Edited by Doug.H