The RS100 Owners Thread

I would have been except the demo boat has no mast at the moment (I sailed another one bought at our place).

As to the 8.4 v 10.2 discussion, the only conclusion is that there are no
conclusions !!
On both days there were both 8.4's and 10.2's going fast including big
guys on 8.4's and smaller guys (like me !) on 10.2's going fast also.

Sounds like it will be some time before things settle down - like they did in the RS300 fleet then - if they ever do!

Personally I wasn't having problems on the 10.2 upwind even in the big
breeze on the Sunday - the key, for me anyway, seemed to be getting the
sail flat and I used a massive amount of outhaul, which I hadn't done
before - God knows how (?) but i even managed to get first around
windward mark in one race and 3rd in the next - just a shame that I was
so totally crap at gybing ! My money was on you as the dark horse and a couple of excellent first beats show that wasn't misplaced. Second big rig is a top result. Well done mate.

The one thing I did conclude is that the 8.4's seemed to be having a
slightly easier time of it gybing, probably because of the effectively
shorter boom and less roach. The boom on the 10.2 is a total mother f--
--er when it comes across in that breeze and even worse when, as it did
to me on too many occasions, comes to the midpoint then goes back
again ! Sounds logical and mimics my experience.

There were a lot of people swimming on the downwind, particularly
where you were forced into gybing for the layline or the gate - it was
carnage on occasions and only a miracle that there weren't more
collisions.

On the final downwind, I was totally drained and sadly decided it was
actually quicker to drop the kite, tack around and then re-hoist - sad but
effective ! On the finish line I actually dropped and did a double tack
(rather than single sail gybe) and made up a place.

Plenty still to learn, which is part of what makes this boat so much fun.

The guys that won, Neal and Huw, were just f'ing good ! Neal did a total
horizon job in the final race (like you do in the Vortex !). They just looked
smooth and in control - and having fun ! Followed Huw upwind a couple
of times and he didn't actually appear to be hiking that hard the bugger !
The boat was just slipping along very nicely at it was definately more a
case of skillful sailing rather than a battle of fitness. Annoying that 'hes not hiking' look isn't it. Roger Gilbert looks like that to me - but he works hard on mainsail trim - must be something in it.

As to hiking I have started wearing hikers. Resisted to start with because
it is so comfortable but they do give you more grunt and help preserve
your thigh muscles (apologies if you already know this but I hadnt used
them previously). You dont need thick ones though. So what sort do you use - I have the Rooster type and they seem very thick - they're great for a laser as lifts you away from waves as well as releiving the pain - a bit.

Despite GRF's assertions (where were you Greame ?!) there was plenty of
socialising and a lot of beer drunk - I had a spinny head both nights !
Demo Dave definately gets the prize though for demolishing that bottle
of Sambuca (well done Jimbo - great effort !) I knew there'd be something going on - and you'd be at it!

It would be great to see you at our next event Keith - Draycote in
October. Will try - if RS can get a mast organised for the MSDS demo boat.

Cheers

Chris