Cannot help you on the 800 vs 9er.

But I do sail at Grafham...

But on 2 hulls

Also sail at Grafham and regularly see both an 800 and 49er out in the asymetric series.  Speak with Pauline or Heather and they will put you in contact with the owners.

Or you could buy my Inter 17 - tip top single handed cat sailing with a kite

Plenty happens at GWSC over the winter.  Full winter seriesl; 5 starts AM and PM; approx 1 hour per race.

Grafham host the Asymetric Slalom over 4 weekends in November (see the club website) which is a great event and the club racing continues through the winter.  There's usually a few RS800's, 49er's, 5000's and us RS700's to have some fun with.

Ian

Ben I sail a 49er and I would suggest that Grafham would be an excellent place to sail one (not as good as portland harbour but probably a close second). However you may find it too fast for some clubs which sail on smaller patches of water.

The 49er has a much bigger racing circuit as it is an Olympic class but the standard is much higher with all the top crews sailing full time. The boat handling is more demanding than the RS800 and you need a good regular crew to get round the race track in strong winds.

If you are interested in seeing them race the gold series is being held at WPNSA over the next couple of weekends and will see lots of the top teams racing. Next year will be a good year for 49er sailing in the UK with the Europeans being held at Weymouth... expect nearly 200 boats!!!

The 49er does require a lot more boat work but should not cost you more as long as you are good at it! At a glance it may appear expensive but believe me you get a lot of performance for your money. Good second hand boats are around the 5K mark.

Cheers Jon

Originally posted by CurlyBen Great thanks, I'd love a cat but I'm planning to come back to Bristol next year (haven't left yet but still!) and I can't sail cats at Chew. As I'm not going to be there for long I do want to get stuck into stuff there, so I'm glad there's a winter series. I'd just appreciate some input on which boat to choose now  Cheers guys

Then sail at Thornbury !  Couple of A Classes there.

I know you're asking about RS800 vs 49er, but if you don't have a regular crew lined up, the RS700 may well an easier answer.  Plus, there is already a fleet at Chew for when you return.

I'll be at Grafham most weekends if you want to have a look. 

Ian

RS700 GBR912

I've sailed both but briefly in both cases.  I'm not fit enough to sail a 49er for more than 20 minutes.  I can do strong and I can do agile (well a bit) but I can't do both for long and that's the sort of athleticism required by the 49er.  The 800 is a little easier.  Both require a regular crew and probably training on a Saturday as well as racing on a Sunday or you'll be disappointed with your performance.

I regard sailing these 2 classes as a very demanding occupation and a real handful in any sort of breeze.  I'd suggest a 4000 unless you are an aspiring olympian.  I can go out and enjoy a force 5 in a 4000 and survive a 6.  A 49er is beyond me in a 5 - even a 4 - and a 800 is nearly as terrifying.

I have to say I admire the design of an 800 - all that performance from a boat which is not that big.  On the other hand the 49er is beautifully spacious for running across and doesn't feel that fast when its going very fast.

I sail a 4000, and i agree that hiking is a b*stard!  I'm probably moving to an 800 next year (see the RS800 thread); I'm tempted by the 9er but having sailed one a week or so back was acutely aware that the person I was sailing with was doing alot of work to make my life easy.  I had a brief go at helming, helming from the wire felt natural but it was obvious that a lot of practise would be necessary even to make the boat manageable.

We had a bit of a moment with a lull, I bore away to keep us on the wire.  The lull was brief and followed by a slight gust.  Sure enough having born away i immediately needed to head up, which i didnt spot till it was too late and we got wet.  I think this sums the boat up nicely.

One other thing that I noticed was the lack of any sensation of speed.  The boat planes so flat and displaces so little that it feels significantly slower than the 4000; though in reality you know you'd well and truly paste just about everything else on the water.

Hope that helps

Hugh

CurlyBen we are for at least the next 3 w-ends (asymmetric slalom is on) feel free to come up we both sailed 5000's as well so if you need any advice just ask.Hope to see Sunday.

It's on two sites http://www.laser5000.lasersailing.com/chat - www.laser5000.lasersailing.com  on their chat page

Also on http://www.boatracer - www.boatracer .co.uk

Have you given up on the idea of the 700?

Feel free to come and have chat at the Slalom if you're still interested.  We had 4 700's out today.

I know there's a 700 for sale at Grafham as well which if I remember right has a brand new main.

Ian

RS700 GBR912