Any thoughts on RS 400?

Hi

I am thinking about buying an RS 400 and would appreciate any general comments and also specific comments on the following;

1) Can it be launched by 1 on a gentle slope?

2) Also sailed by one?

3) Would it manage two adults and a child?

4) Is it reasonably stable but good fun?

5) Any common design problems to look out for?

Many thanks

Paul

I know what you mean about the Laser 2000 being more suitable, but I only have £2-£4k to spend and secondhand they tend to be more than this, any other ideas?

Thanks

Paul

A 400 on a pond, there is less risk, so why not. 

Paul would you consider an Enterprise.  Apart from my Laser4000 I have an old Enterprise it is stable but not dull, has loads of room and is light making it easy to manouvre off the water.  It is also an extremely versatile boat, able to be sailed one-up or with 4, can take an outboard and is light enough to be paddled along rivers and creeks.  Having a small jib means its capable of being sheeted by light weights like kids and no spinnaker means it is simple to rig and handle.  They perform extremely well in light winds and a cruising version would have a way of reefing the main (which is fairly large).

Don't buy a wooden one (loads of maintenance) but an old glass one can be had for a few hundred pounds with road trailer and trolley. 

Sometimes the old ones are good ones.  Should you get into racing you'll find there is a huge competitive network - but then you will want a wooden one - but that's a whole different ball game.

Tee Hee. I think that's the first time someone's called a Contender high performance (with or without inverted commas) on the forum. Gawd bless you guv'nor.

I never found the RS400 too tippy and I moved from a (rather pedestrian) Tasar which I had whilst teaching my wife to crew. It was quite powerful though.