V3000- What a flyer!

The RS 500 is not a bad boat, but it's low-tech and a bit heavy, and uses sail area to try to compensate; the main reason it sells more than the V3k is the RS badge.

Anybody considering a 500 should try a V3k first; it would be hard to buy a 500 after that unless you just wanted to do the RS circuit. That's not just my opinion, most people who have tried a V3k have bought one.

As to not taking the cover off till F4+, the new sails have made 3k's potential winners in lighter winds too now, albeit while making them a bit more of a challenge in a blow. Of course, if you sail a Laser 3000, you can revert to the old sails when it honks!

Comfort has been much improved by the rigging mods that are now allowed and are standard on the V: gnav, aft bridle and off the boom sheeting make the cockpit pretty spacious, and it's certainly easier to trapeze than the wider 500 - I don't think anybody who had sailed both could seriously dispute that.

My vote would be for the RS 500 as well.  230 RS 500's built in the time that the new v3000 has got to something like 15 !  It must have something going for it. 

If you want the close to the water action of that hull you would do better to resurrect an old Laser 2 - it would be far cheaper and it goes straight down wind.

The Laser II had that reputation also but as it turns out unjustly. Laser IIs will win club races in lighter stuff if sailed right. I suspect the V3000 is similar.

The bit about them being good in a real blow is also true but unfortunately every other club boat stays on the beach so you will be on your own.

Sorry, yes. Misread your post.

More pooh than pants (i.e. heavy, soggy, but won't go down no matter how hard you try to sink it)