RS500 (Again)

Just clarification on the plastic clips, they are designed to break if you fall in the sail rather than you ending up with a hole in the sail. The logic being that replacing a few clips is cheaper than replacing a jib.

And  looking at my mates 49er the clips aren't a problem if they break easy to either cable tie or little bits of string

I have been looking at Graeme's new boat and I would have the folling comments.

It looks a very nice boat. The design seems well thought out but there seems to be quite a bit of cost cutting. Hence I suppose the low cost of the boat!

The main halyard is far too strechy. When you pull the sail to the top of the mast and apply the cuningham you can but the sail a good half foot back down the mast.

The seperate forestay jib luff tension is good but the jib is attached with some very flimzy push clips. I cant see these surviving.

Just have to see if I can beat him in the 3000.

There does seem to be a view from some on this forum that anyone who doesn't sail :

optimists, toppers, lasers, 29ers or 49ers (and maybe the occassional skiff "for fun"),

isn't taking it seriously enough and is disrupting serious class racing . 

However, (unlike the VAGO) no-one has managed to raise a single genuine criticism of the RS500 as an actual boat (except that its non slip is a bit vicious).

Were it not for the dubious singlehandability - I might have one myself.

Come on folks?  Is there REALLY anything wrong with it?

Originally posted by shark_bait500 What I was most impressed by was the ingenuity that had gone into the boat, for example, the trapeze bungee that doubles-up as the toe strap bungee to name a few. The full potential of the boat is still in its infancy, but the result I am sure will be exciting.

Ahhhh the ole trapeze elastic, though sadly more of a hinderance than ingenuity.  Perfect for traping feet when crossing the boat.  After crewing one ive since made both the 500s at my club change this arrangement.

Im agreed that this is an under-rated boat but i think you'll find similar reactions to most new boats, just look at the comments for the Vago and Aura (no ones coming to their defence any time soon though).  From my point of view it just seems that the gaps are covered and the holes have been plugged and so when we see another 2 man assymetric with trapeze boat coming out im sure some of us cant help thinking, oh not another one!!

One thing i will say for the 500, is it is possibly one of the easiest boats to handle in its arena.  Ok its slower than the 4000 and 29er, and not quite sure about the V3000 speed but its certainly a doddle to throw around.  A good learning boat for sure. 


Doug