My Dad is after something like a rs400 or simular. Do we need to now anything before buying one? What other boats are simular to a rs400? And finally does anyone know of any for sale around the £2500 mark?

Many thanks,

Splosh.

When the breeze gets up the harder you can hike a 400 the faster you go. They have a good circuit and a 65 boat nationals this year but if your just interested in club racing or even going for a sail every now and then, they are good fun to sail too. 

Where will he sail it? Are there other 400's there? Will the courses suit an asymetric?

If you haven't sailed one before, then trying to see under the symetric on a tight and small pond can be very tricky - so you need a little space around you. If you are sailing on the sea with stronger winds, then you need a bit more weight or grunt or hiking ability or all three!

The early boats tend to be very well made and last a long time. Some people think the kites are expensive, and they get pulled up and down through a fairly small chute that doesn't do them much good! but the mains can last for years without needing to be replaced.

Over the last 3 or 4 years, the circuit and Nationals numbers have dropped away a little - but this is because there are more of them being sailed at local clubs so people don't need to travel as much as they used to in order to get decent racing. Chatting last week, I know of 6 or 7 different 400's that have sold within a week of being advertised this year - so you might need to move quick!

Yep, great boats, and lots for sale at the moment. I was not heavy enough with my crew and traded it in for a 200, but I still love the boats. Pretty bomb proof as well. Watch out for osmosis (small bubbles) on the foredeck and avoid any boats like this.

Oh and don't buy one of the pink ones obviously!

What about bubbles on the side deck sort of bit on an RS200 where the helm sits?

It will be at alton water (large sized pond). There is one other 400 at the club and regularly sails. Many courses will suit assy' boats as there is many down there. He has sailed 505's for some time and now sails a 4000 so can just about cope with the assymetric kites.

I'd not have a boat with osmosis on it at all - it's water getting into the gelcoat - not a good thing. It'll not damage it strutually (sp?) unless really bad, but you'll come across a fussy bugger like me who wouldn't touch it when you come to sell.

As for why not a pink one - you have to ask?