Moth vs 600FF

Originally posted by aardvark_issues

   Having just read this thread I feel I might offer some opinion.

First as a follower of the forum I think it is correct to state self interests 

before offering opinion which I have done at the bottom of the following 

rambling;

The 600ff is a converted coventional boat. The 600 was and still is a great 

little boat well designed and built with a loyal following. Off course

 the mps and 700 have arguably moved the genre on and this creates 

another reason why it works.

The moth is a highly developed development class which will continue to 

move on. The latest boats from the likes of mach2 and bladerider are well 

polished and finished pieces of near artwork, whilst they are expensive it 

might be argued that they represent value for speed/quality. The other 

options such as the Ninja offer a less expensive option but still in the 10k 

region. Ultimately they will all become out developed.

There are currently two foiling options the Moth or the 600ff.

The 600ff is by no means the ideal solution it is a compromise, but it is 

not a bad compromise and it is not slow. Faster than a moth on certain 

points of sail ( the moth has the legs around the course )

The 600ff costs from £2500 spend £5000 and you garrantee a 

competitive boat. A foil set costs £3000 plus what ever you can find a 

600 for I just bought one for £500. New sail cost £700. But is not 

essential just a bit quicker once foiling. ( there are a few already 

converted bargains out there )

The boats wont be out developed my was bought 3 years ago and is still 

as fast as any other boat including the carbon ones.

The class is not dead!

We have a new website, ok it is a facebook page but it can be accessed by 

anyone via www.rs600ff.net

We have a uk circuit which consists of one event - our National 

championship. It is spread over 3 weekends the first of which is fast 

approaching 17th and 18th April at Weymouth and Portland. 

Each event has a points weighting system with high points scoring. This 

means that by the last event the points are multiplied by a factor of 10 ( 

yet to be decided ) so that it is still possible to get a good result from just 

the last event but points mean points and the more you get on the board 

the better. High points scoring means no discards required.

We have a set of class rules in the making. With a minimum all up boat 

weight of 90kg the Carbon ones come out all up at 80kg so they need to 

add 10kg of lead.

We are looking to the future and some of the ideas posted on this forum 

have already been suggested. We have some unique ideas on the table 

some of which will revolutionise how we approach our boats/classes and 

sailing. All of this has yet to be discussed with the current 600ff sailors so 

you will have to wait to find out.

* Perfect starter foiler to lead on to the Moth when you have learnt the 

art.

* The boat is far from perfect but remember that it costs £4 - 5k for a 

competitve package.

* Foiling from the wire is a really cool experience.

* It floats and you can stop and chill.

* It takes a higher crew weight over 70kg up to over 100kg see ardvark 

issues comments on weight and foiling.

* The boats are robust and rarely break.

* Many used boat available to add foil package to

* RS parts and service to replace the boat parts.

* One design with a bit more freedom within the boat than the standard 

RS600.

My disclaimer of self interest is that I have taken on running the class, we 

have set up our own class association and I also sell the boats and parts. 

All of this is being developed as we go as it has to be fitted in around 

earning a living. I also have a moth at least it is a project that has been 

started and may one day be finished at least I aspire to be on the water in 

2010 in both classes. I feel that the 600 has given me the skills to master 

the moth once I get one on the water. Why would I spend my own 

precious free time doing this? Because I bought a 600 when it all started 

as I saw what it offered and wanted a part of it. I Still have the boat and 

the more I sail it the more I like it no one else was doing the class so I 

took it on. Come and join us its a recession beater like no other.