RS400 proposed changes

Originally posted by asterix cheating!?!

If its in breach of class rules its cheating, but we've had this argument too many times already: no need to start now.

But Laser sails would last an awful lot longer if the silly sods didn't leave them flapping with the clew unattached between races. It must destroy the finish...

Originally posted by Neptune Originally posted by JimC   Maybe there's a cheque book sailing attitude to sails in some SMOD classes where new sails are bought at the drop of a hat. I haven't especially noticed it amongst our Lasers though, some of whom are (masters) world class. How would you notice with a Laser - at the drop of a hat the look knackered anyway    The Laser is the most sail expensive single hander out there in my experience

Don't know about that -down here, anyway, you can roll over into a brand-new Laser -new sails, new ropes, new foils, new trolley IIRC - every season for about 61% of the cost of replacing a single sail for a Moth, for example.

It can be a damn cheap boat to campaign;  I have a brother who made it to the top 25 of the Open Worlds, won the Districts winning cube against that year's world Open champ and the guy who later got 3rd, and won the Junior Nationals - and in his entire career he had one horrible old borrowed rag, one new sail (the one that came with his new boat) and of course the sail on the world's charter boat. 

Since he's proof that you can have a Laser career that takes you to #25 in the world's most popular class at an equipment cost of 500 pounds (inflation adjusted, after the new boat was sold when he gave up Lasers) it's hard to see that it's an expensive boat.

As Jim says, the main issue seems to be that Laser sailors can't stop themselves from letting the sails kill themselves, not the gear itself.


Edited by Chris 249 - 14 Oct 10 at 1:20pm

Originally posted by JimC Originally posted by RS400atC Also don't forget most people keep at least sets of sails on the go. Most people? Really? I'm less than convinced.

Don't forget, some of are fanatics lunatics who sail multiple classes and have new sails that come out twice a year for titles and sail multiple classes types of boats types of sailing craft - we may play havoc with the averages!

I lose count at about 48 sails in my current collection, but it does feel very relaxing to go for a weekend regatta or club race and not have to worry about bashing up a set of nice kit (well, "nice" is always comparative!). 

Certainly in the classes I sail, most who do regattas would own 2-3 sets of sails.


Edited by Chris 249 - 14 Oct 10 at 1:28pm

I am actually quite suprised at how many people who own a 400 seem to support the development. Fortunately we sold ours over the summer time but if not, I'd be completely peaved with the idea of changing the boat.

I view the RS range as what I'd call a convenience or a compromise boat. They have had a good stable class, with good racing guaranteed, they might not be the first choice on the boat list for boat based on the actual quality and sailability BUT the class, cost and racing tip the scale towards their direction. Proposing the changes on the 400 totally changes my opinion on the benefits of buying an RS boat. For example, at the time, we chose the 400 over the laser 4000 based on the strength of the class, although we actually prefferred the 4000 as a boat alone. Given that choice again, I wouldn't think twice about buying the laser 4000, the decision process is so much easier now. I don't think I'll buy RS again as the percieved benefits have gone, lets face it, they are pretty much obsceleting the current 400. I can understand why they are doing it from their business point of view, but I, like many others have said, would have preferred a complete new design catering for the same market as the 400 but a lighter more dynamic boat, pretty like the scenario that happened when they designed the 100, the Vareo is still a reasonable class but they've provided a better alternative. Modifying the 400 is a quick fix solution, but I reckon there will be a few people who will have their doubts about buying RS ever again.

 

Originally posted by Menace but I reckon there will be a few people who will have their doubts about buying RS ever again.