I normally sail a Vortex which is a great boat in a trapezing breeze but less fun in light winds. I was thinking of treating myself to a second boat to sail in handicap fleets on those light wind days. Used to sail a laser so I don't want another of those. Several options. Solo-too slow? RS600/contender-too uncomfortable in light winds and I don't really want another trapeze boat? Canoe and Moth-too fiddly/complex? Vareo-poorly handicapped? RS300-about right??

But does the 300 sail well to its handicap in light winds? I'm a reasonably fit 46 and about 11.5 stone. I sail on a tidal estuary (Blackwater) in handicap fleets.

Any thoughts? 

Phantom is a good thought. I'd heard good second hand ones were hard to come by though.

Always thought of them as a fat boys boat, although I suppose that doesn't matter if I'm going to use it in light winds.

there was a moth at this year's bloody mary who wasn't having much fun, dipping his wings (but that was extremely light)

only the Thames A-Rater really enjoyed it ... now there's a thought!

Bit of a handful single handed!

I would go for the 300 because if you are out and the wind fills even to a force 2-3 you will be well overpowered in the Phantom. The 300 does sail pretty well to its handicap and it will soon improve your boat balance.

i know you said not a trapeze boat but would something not like a rs 600 or 700 be more fun as the 600 is supposed to be tricky to sail and also not to expensive saw a second hand one for around 1300 quid. And the 700 has a kite to entertain you.

Both good fun in a blow as well

Standard advice - take all comments with the usual pinch of salt and try all the ones you like the look of .....  only point I'd reinforce is that light wind sailing is not the only flavour our there and considerably less appealing than when sailing nearer the limit.

Blaze 720

In a F2 when Lasers are just having to start hiking a little bit upwind, your weight in an RS300 will be fully powered up on the beat and on a reasonably close reach you'll be planing at scarecely believable speeds. 

However the 300 isn't just good in light stuff - it's a real laugh in a blow.

"In a F2 when Lasers are just having to start hiking a little bit upwind, your weight in an RS300 will be fully powered up on the beat and on a reasonably close reach you'll be planing at scarecely believable speeds." Fizzicist

Yep. 7mph wind forecast on Sunday as per Teletext. When the wind filled in I clocked 11.1kts on the GPS when reaching & 6kts on the beat.

But try different boats and pick the one you like best. Half the satisfaction of sailing your new boat is knowing you've tried the rest.

I read somewhere that the 300 doesn't point that well and therefore doesn't sail well in handicap fleets.

Anyone got any experience of this?

Boats such as 300's and Blaze's wont point as high a lasers. They just aren't designed that way. You foot off 5 degrees and go for speed. The speed will by far outweigh the distance travelled. If you' re not used to it it can be a bit difficult fleets at first such as judgeing lay lines, going for clear is more a priority than best windward start, not getting bunched in at the start with other boats (always best to tack off get the clear air) and avoid luffing matches with lasers! At the start I try the get a reasonable place to windward over the line but go on port and by the time I go behind three boats I'm in clean air making good ground and avoided the dirty wind if I had been on starboard. I then consolidate my gains and tack to starboard and I'm in command of the rest of the fleet approching on port. If only it was that easy!

dics - in light winds the 300 will point WAY higher than a Laser. If you're losing luffing matches with Lasers then there's something wrong. You should always be able to sail higher - in the light stuff, let the kicker off and pull the main into the centreline.

In fact, if you sail a 300 well you should always be able to point higher than pretty much everything on the water. A N12 and the odd Scorpion will give you problems, but you can always crack off and go for speed. I'd only recommend sailing lower in the 300 when you get overpowered upwind, at which point start pulling the kicker on.

This isn't helping on choosing a light wind boat though is it? I imagine that the gains to be made by footing of in light wind (if that's what you do) are fairly negligible (unless you sail a Contender who's pointing is abysmal in F2 and below).

I too considered getting a second boat for (almost) drifters and came to the conclusion that the Phantom is the boy as long as you don't mind hanging on with everything you've got if the wind picks up - they are a beast in F3-4 unless you weigh as much as a small car.

"If you're losing luffing matches with Lasers then there's something wrong" Fizzicist - yeah my helming! Thanks for the advice, but bear in mind we all aren't as good you!

Matt Jackson - you're right, back onto the topic.............

Jeffers - from talking to Blaze sailors at the club and seeing that on the water they are only pointing as high as myself. (may be they need some extra training like me!)

The 300 PY is 1001.

dics - there's some great advice on http://www.rs300.com - www.rs300.com as well as a fantastic article on http://www.roostersailing.com - www.roostersailing.com

Where abouts do you sail & Which boat is yours?

Dics - if you want to improve your pointing have a look at the Rooster DVD's ... they are very informative. We brought the pair for my wife who sails a Laser Radial but most of what is covered will apply to other boats.

Rick

A Class with a Kite !  Fully wiring upwind in about 5kts breeze, Fully woring down wind in about 5-7kts and smoking along.....

Might be a little over budget mind

Rick - I totally agree - the Rooster DVD's are excellent. I reckon that having put into practice what I learned from those, I'm about 5-10% faster over the course of a race.

I know of an international canoe going for £1300

Part of the trick to pointing in the 300 is to get up speed, heel to windward slightly and drive upwind on the foils- the roosterman explains it very well, you should have slight lee helm, but you must have flow over the foils for it to work! They will point well. They also power up very early.

The Solo works well in light winds, and would be more comfy if you can't get on the sidedecks on the 300. They are probably double the cost for a competative boat though!

Thats a valid point Rob - so long as you have enough wind to fill the sails the 300 will lift ridiculously high on the foils. However when the wind drops to nothing, it's a complete bag of sh*t as there's no stability in the bow!

Most boats are crap when there's no wind whatsoever though.

 3-4 knots of breeze