Choosing a boat: RS 300

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RS 300

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=7881
Printed Date: 06 Aug 25 at 5:38pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.665y - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: RS 300

Posted By: Jaws
Subject: RS 300
Date Posted: 26 May 11 at 9:31pm

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...

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RS600 794

Replies:

Posted By: Foiling_Toff
Date Posted: 26 May 11 at 9:56pm

I'd imagine it will come down to fitness. It's always going to a struggle at that weight, but you might get away with it if you are fit.

Posted By: dics
Date Posted: 27 May 11 at 11:47am

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.

Posted By: Ruscoe
Date Posted: 27 May 11 at 12:41pm

I am with Dics, the 300 is a really unique boat, it carries weight well but at the same time is controllable for the light guys if they develop the right technique. At 16 you will probably have some more bulking out to do so learning how to get the thing round the course at your current weight will probably put you in good sted in the long term. That said i can't remember when i was 60kg, But i would say you would be Ok around 10 stone, you may struggle when it gets gusty but you will learn to manage it. It will also be good training for the 29er.

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Posted By: doeywizard
Date Posted: 27 May 11 at 2:36pm

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)

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Posted By: Ruscoe
Date Posted: 27 May 11 at 2:57pm

It is a handful in breeze, but it is manageable. The 300 rewards great technique more then any other single hander i have sailed. You will be tired after sailing it, it is as close to a high performance boat as you can get without a kite. It is definitely not a Solo so you will need some physical fitness. As for light winds, well they actually do alright, the secret is getting your weight forward and keeping the wings out of the water. I bet your friend comes off the water smiling though...

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Posted By: dics
Date Posted: 27 May 11 at 3:05pm

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.

Posted By: tomoore1
Date Posted: 27 May 11 at 3:57pm

Until you get used to using the controls properly it is a dog in big winds if your light (I'm nearly 11stone). Make sure your friend has his kicker set up properly. With the kicker max eased, the action of hoisting the sail should bend the mast and try to pull the floating kicker blocks through the roller. In anything over about 12-15knots he will then need to pull hard enough to get the two floating blocks down to the same height as the block on the boom. Looks like something is going to break but it's fine and takes the power right away.

When it is light he should still be using some kicker and sitting where the boat narrows near the mast. Once you sail it a bit in light winds it becomes great just effortlessly cutting past everyone else cramped up in the bottom of the boat.

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Restoring Firefly 517