Another What Boat Thread

Hi Greame,

To add another option that you may not have thought about, have you considered a 29er? May be a bit small for what you are looking for, but may be worth a look.

With regard to the RS800, they can be set up with single wire option. I sailed one in turkey which only had the single wire, so it can be done. The RS is less tippy than the 29er too.

I've never sailed a Vago or 500, so can't offer any useful advice on them

PS. I sail without booties too

If you go to 'Search' (see the top of this screen) and search for RS500 or Vago under 'Topic Subject' you'll find heaps of comment, mostly damning, I have to say.

For the record, the Osprey has a PY of 940, faster than the provisional numbers for the 500 or Vago, neither of which, imho, will easily sail to their rather optimistic ratings in average conditions.

True, but I have raced in a Vago, so can damn that wholeheartedly!

Ospreys are a bit rare and are not extensivley raced throughout the UK, however, I do get to see them at Mounts Bay.  They are impressive in a big sea and big wind, especially upwind.  I say, beware starting to windward of one.

They are a classic Ian Proctor design with plenty of rocker, long water line and not too beamy, so, very far removed from modern designs.  This with their low aspect ratio rig provides the good windward performance in heavy conditions - strickly displacement not planing.  Downwind, most modern designs will pick up and plane much earlier.

They are not light and they are best with two beefy crew members.  Once they can get the crew on the wire, they sail to and beyond their handicap of 940 with some ease. 

Many of the boats are old and there are various marks, through to the latest grp mark 4.  I've had a good look at the mark 4 and its very nicely built.  I suspect its built to exploit the class rules, which have fairly broad tolerances.  Modern rigs are carbon with kevlar sails.  Its probably a sure bet that the older boats are now uncompetitive.

Unlike, say, the Fireball, I doubt if many or any were home built, which, in the dinghy explosion of the 50s and 60s contributed to massive fleets of easy ( ha !)  to build boats.  Osprey number are therefore limited and I think  around 1300 have been built since they were designed in the 50s.

Thats my take on the Osprey.  They are  not my bag but their owners love them.