Choosing a boat: rs600: Out of my league?

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rs600: Out of my league?

Printed From: Yachts and Yachting Online
Category: General
Forum Name: Choosing a boat
Forum Discription: Ask any questions about the sport!
URL: http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=11046
Printed Date: 05 Aug 25 at 6:36am
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Topic: rs600: Out of my league?

Posted By: dohertpk
Subject: rs600: Out of my league?
Date Posted: 24 Aug 13 at 6:56pm

Hi! I'd really appreciated some advice.

I've been sailing for about a 18 months now. I'm considering 'trading up' from my Laser after our local Frostbites. I really like the look of the RS600 and they seem to be great value for money at the moment. Thing is, I've been quite put off by the sheer number of reports describing the steep learning curve of this boat. I've done an RYA kites and wires course and have some experience on the wire, but no helming. I'm a competent, if not exactly expert sailor. I don't mind swimming and I'm not hugely pushed about racing. I'm pretty sure that if I was to get one, I'd be the only person in Ireland with an RS 600 so trying before buying isn't on the cards. So, my question is, would I be mad and totally out of my depth? Also, I'm 5'9'' and weigh 75kg: would I get away with narrow wings? There seem to be very few on the market with wide wings. I sail in a large sheltered harbour. Thanks a mil for any help!

Peter

Replies:

Posted By: craiggo
Date Posted: 26 Aug 13 at 7:19pm

At 75kg you need wide wings. Learning curve is steep if this is your first boat helming from the wire. Even people who have spent time crewing on the wire take time to get to grips with the boat. I'd allow 6 months min to get proficiently around the course, but you'll enjoy it even if you do swim a bit.

Posted By: dohertpk
Date Posted: 26 Aug 13 at 7:46pm

Thanks for that craiggo. 6 months sounds manageable and I actually quite like the idea of the challenge. There's no chance I'd get away with the narrow wings no? Thing is, models with wide wings seem to be pretty thin on the ground and, I suspect at least in part due to this scarcity, they tend to cost €1000 more. I've been trying to put on weight but can't get above 75kg for love nor money!

Posted By: Jamie600
Date Posted: 26 Aug 13 at 10:55pm

In an ideal world you'd be on wide wings due to your height, but at 75kg you can choose between either wides with a 3kg corrector, or narrows without. Apart from availability and price, the narrows are slightly easier to balance when sailing, due to being slightly closer to the centreline.

Other than that I'd echo Craiggo's comments re: the learning curve. At the very least, you need to be able to handle a Laser in extreme weather and be able to throw in big gybes and get away with it; the 600's main is nearly twice the size of the Laser's.

As long as you go in with the right expectations, go for it. When you get it right the rewards are tremendous

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RS600 1001