Does the world need a two-adult one-wire RS?

The revival of the RS500 thread spurred me to wonder yet again whether the sailing world needs a new design from RS to revive the Fireball/505/Hornet sector - that is, a two-adult single-wire dinghy fast dinghy, rather than a skiff or 400 type. Sure, many of us are not that happy about new designs entering the marketplace - but isn't it different when they are aimed at a sector where the numbers are dwindling, which may indicate that the current classes are not attracting sailors?  With the greatest respect to the 505/Hornet/Osprey/'Furball etc, could it be that they are failing to adjust to a climate in which more sailors are going for a SMOD than in the past?  Is the collapse of that sector of the sailing scene due to demographics (which is quite possible) or is it due to the lack of a new class?

I don't really see a larger alternative to the RS500 doing any better.

It occurs to me it would be very interesting to compare some club results from the golden age, as it were, to results now. I have a feeling that folk were more likely to sail every week than they do now, but I haven't evidence.

The 11footer collapse is, I think, simply down to training practices and helicopter parenting. When I look at our club junior training its quite clear that the kid is in a singlehander, and the adult on the beach or in a support boat. The exceptions are those who don't bring their kids through the "system".

I always thought there was a bit of a gap in the market for a fast modern single trapeze boat aimed at adults as well. It seems like the choices (in terms of modern asymmetrics) are the 4000 (which I sail) or ISO (the RS500 doesn't really offer any improvement over the 4000), or the conventional designs like the Osprey or 505. There is the Fireball, but I always think of that as more of a medium handicap boat, and not in the same league in terms of speed as boats like the 505 and Osprey. I think if the RS500 had improved on the performance and design of the 4000 it could have been a winner. Or if they remade the 4000 using modern lightweight materials and a carbon rig/racks, that would probably be popular as well (oh and made it a lot easier & quicker to rig as well!). 


Edited by James Bell - 10 Jan 17 at 11:29am

Originally posted by iGRF I don't think even RS could do much to revive this sector, if a boat like the Alto which pretty much nailed it from a design standpoint didn't get any traction I can't see a reworked 500 doing any better. The whole adults synchronising their time together thing is just not happening these days, hence the rise and rise of single handers which is a tragedy imv but fact just the same. The Rooster 4000 doesn't appear to be going anywhere, can anyone name a single, new single wire class that's has gotten traction recently, I can't think of one..

The 29er has good traction, but only as a yoof boat.
The 4000 is still there. It's good you can buy a new one or get bits for it. I've only sailed on once but raced against them a lot. If I wanted a single trap Asy, it would be first choice. If it wasn't an asy I wanted, then a 505 is hard to beat.

RS already make a fast, single wire, two adult boat, it's called the 800. AFAIK you can have the helm hike and put the racks further out??? Likewise the B14e was an option with narrower racks and a single wire?

But if you have a decent sailing area why would you?
Surely the taboo of steering from the wire is no more?

Again this is a UK comment, I'd be pleased to hear what the rest of the world is doing?

Sailing an 800 single wired is not as quick as twin wiring, so you are immediately putting yourself at the back of the fleet. Twin wiring the 800 definitely needs more time in the boat to master team coordination than sailing a 4000.