RS 300

Having had yet another crew setback, I'd just like to ask whether I'd be heavy enough to handle an RS 300 A-rig. I'm 16, 60kg, 5'8" and sail on an estuary. It's a choice of a 300, a 600, sitting on the shore with a 29er or staying in the radial (and being extremely bored). There's 2 other 29ers and a very occasional radial that race, and no 300s or 600s at the club. It's not an ideal set-up - I'd rather stay in the 29er - but I'm not all that keen on spending the next year occasionally sailing with my dad while the others are able to sail 2 or 3 times a week. While I'm at it, I suppose I might as well ask whether the 600 would be manageable too, and whether it would be a better choice. Please don't tell me I should go to radial events, I've been told that but I simply dislike the Laser. I'd probably only keep the boat for a year, unless I become too attached to it...

Don't know about the 600 but the 300 is down to more technique than brawn. Sheet loads at not high. And the rig is powerfull but so is the Vang in depowering the rig. If you are nimble and don't mid shifting your weight around every nanosecond then it will definately be a boat for you to grow into. There are some fly weights in the class and some have a B rig too. In the light stuff you will fly. as the wind gets up you will be depowering more than the bigger guys who will hang on the the power but at around 15 knots it's full kicker for everyone and it is more about basic boat handling to keep it on its toes.

Edited by dics - 27 May 11 at 11:53am

I have a friend who sails a 300 and is about 11-12 stone and he says that in strong wind even he finds it a bit of a handful and in light wind he doesn't rate it to much, (he can cope but he is just very tired after sailing it)

Originally posted by doeywizard I have a friend who sails a 300 and is about 11-12 stone and he says that in strong wind even he finds it a bit of a handful and in light wind he doesn't rate it to much, (he can cope but he is just very tired after sailing it)

If you do not sail technically correct the boat will punish you in more ways than just dunking you in. If you have sloppy sailing the boat will kick you into touch and leave you there until you change. Even with my 90Kgs bulk light wind it is fast. Very fast. But like all boats - it is not for everyone. Hope your friend sticks with it.