Stepping on from a Laser 3000

   I'm looking to step on from a laser 3000 into something lighter and quicker.  Would the RS 500 be a suitable boat?  I'm not sure of my ability to helm on the wire so to me this seems a logical path to take... Do any of you have any thoughts?

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james07 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 20 May 11 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 3	Post Options Post Reply Quote james07 Report Post Quote Reply Topic: Stepping on from a Laser 3000 Posted: 20 May 11 at 12:01pm
	I'm looking to step on from a laser 3000 into something lighter and quicker. Would the RS 500 be a suitable boat? I'm not sure of my ability to helm on the wire so to me this seems a logical path to take... Do any of you have any thoughts?

Rupert Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 11 Aug 04 Location: Whitefriars sc Online Status: Offline Posts: 8956	Post Options Post Reply Quote Rupert Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 20 May 11 at 12:31pm
	The RS500 is a nice boat, but it is more an alternative to the 3000 than a step up, I'd have thought. Carries a little more weight and is a bit faster, but possibly heavier, too. The only "step up" in performance I can think of is the 29er, really, or learn to helm from the wire. I've done a (very) tiny bit, and it was fun - must do more one day.
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ellistine Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 06 Mar 08 Online Status: Offline Posts: 762	Post Options Post Reply Quote ellistine Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 20 May 11 at 12:40pm
	Obviously there's the 4000. Good value for money at the moment. Quicker but probably doesn't tick the 'lighter' box.

Jaws Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Groupie Joined: 27 Nov 10 Online Status: Offline Posts: 92	Post Options Post Reply Quote Jaws Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 20 May 11 at 12:41pm
	I haven't sailed a 3000, but I would expect it's harder than a vago to sail. I found the difference between 500 and vago to be fairly small, with the 500 just needing slightly faster reactions and slightly cleaner maneuvers, so there can't be masses of difference with the 300. The 29er is simply not on the same level as those, it's much twitchier and punishes errors much more ruthlessly. Once you get the hang of it (about 6 sails for me) it's great fun, until then you wonder why on Earth you're sailing the thing. I'd say the 29er is a good step up; it's a lovely boat to sail, and a nice challenge to learn. Edited by Jaws - 20 May 11 at 12:41pm
	RS600 794

james07 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 20 May 11 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 3	Post Options Post Reply Quote james07 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 20 May 11 at 12:45pm
	Thanks guys, really useful. I've heard the 29er doesnt suit those heavier crews? My crew and I are around the 80 and 90 kg mark respectively...

alstorer Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 02 Aug 07 Location: Cambridge Online Status: Offline Posts: 2899	Post Options Post Reply Quote alstorer Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 20 May 11 at 1:00pm
	Is your crew wedded to the trapeze? I'd suggest a b14 (but then, hey, I would). No need to learn to steer from the wire!. Bascially, at that weight you're looking at "grown up" boats- as far as assymetrics go you've got the B14, I14, Laser 4000 (no longer built), Iso (ditto), RS800, 49er as reaslisitic choices. RS500/29er are for smaller people really. For helming for the wire, the 800 is a good choice- it's a pretty stable platform, designed to be "easy" to sail.
	-_ Al

james07 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 20 May 11 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 3	Post Options Post Reply Quote james07 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 20 May 11 at 1:02pm
	Looks like I'm going to have to man-up and learn to helm from the wire...!!

alstorer Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 02 Aug 07 Location: Cambridge Online Status: Offline Posts: 2899	Post Options Post Reply Quote alstorer Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 20 May 11 at 1:03pm
	No you're not- go B14!
	-_ Al

G.R.F. Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 10 Aug 08 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 4028	Post Options Post Reply Quote G.R.F. Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 20 May 11 at 1:15pm
	We 'stepped up' from an L3K to an Rs500. Our instant feel was that it was more tippy, it was more difficult to handle in a blow, it was over powered above force five, but obviously much faster in medium to light winds. Good things were it had a centre board (which you have to fiddle with to stop falling down at the pivot)the rig bits were all Selden and worked very well and is a good sea boat, doesn't nose dive, is very good in light conditions unlike the 3k, but doesn't exactly 'plane' upwind in the same way the 3 k did when it was very breezey. (Could be because we were always over powered so tended to stuff it rather than sail free). The Alto we currently sail is a hell of a lot nicer friendlier boat.
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Jaws Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Groupie Joined: 27 Nov 10 Online Status: Offline Posts: 92	Post Options Post Reply Quote Jaws Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 20 May 11 at 1:23pm
	Ok, that's way too heavy for a 29er. I might suggest the 800, it's a good one to learn to helm on the wire; I only had a quick spin in one in a force 3, but it definitely isn't as tippy as the 29er. I Haven't sailed any other twin trap boats, so that's all I can say on them.
	RS600 794