RS Q'ba

I saw one sail at the club, the guy was sailing it well (adult) and looked ok. The guy rigged it really quickly as it is a track mast fitting. Useful with

It depends what you like, if you want to go quicker then you may want more sail area, if you just want a pootle around, then the Q'ba will be fine.

In my experience of Wednesday night races, its light winds, go with whatever takes your fancy.

i think the q'ba is a fantastic boat .

I would like one to train my family in.

Originally posted by skslr Originally posted by Medway Maniac What's the handicap of the Q'ba? Got to be at least 7% slower than a Laser according to my estimates, except in light winds if you use the 1.2 sqm (!) jib as well. But as soon as the boats are moving, the Laser must walk away from it. I'm surprised nobody has suggested you try a Laser 8.1, especially for Wednesday night sailing. Could you explain the background of your estimation, please? ( For me to learn, I cannot claim to know better!) Waterline length must be less, but the big sail has got similar area and potentially better shape , gelcoat surface maybe a bit smoother than PE - what do I know?

It is largely the waterline length, but I do try to estimate waterline beam and wetted area and its effects on drag too, as well as 'planability'. I don't even try to guess the effect of 'plastic vs GRP' or details of hull shapes, or rig efficiency - surprisingly most boats fall into line anyway, indicating that these details make little difference in ball-park terms (but still plenty enough to notice in class events where one percent is a huge advantage). I'd say 7% overall is the very least difference I'd expect between the standard Laser and Q'ba; probably it will be 10% or more (i.e. Ainslie in a Q'ba will still beat me in a Laser!)