Symmetric v Assymmeric Spinnakers

Did the Alto not evolve on the River Deben in an attempt to do the job better than either the 400 or the 505 to which it owes a few bits of DNA if I'm not mistaken.

Originally posted by yellowwelly yes but waldringfield is not the most open of waters... especially at low tide. a proper w/l boat, with a sub 1000 PN... sounds like a crap fleet to adopt there tbh, no wonder it had a short life!!!

Horses for courses.
I've no idea what Waldringfield is like, is there a clue in ...field?, but fleet racing in Wayfarers can be a tough act to beat.

Originally posted by RS400atC I think if a product cannot face comparison with what's established on the market, it usually has a very short future. I do sail other boats now and then and I'm interested in what makes a boat quick and pleasant to sail. That involves comparing. V3000 How many sold? How many to race against? Buzz Dying class? RS500, I know several lightweight couples who've tried it and left it. Given its spec and heritage I am disappointed in its uptake. Looking at its vital stats, should it not be faster than it is? You are right, absolute speed is not essential for good racing, but it's fun, that's why we don't all have Enterprises.

Here we go again. Knock, knock,knock.

When Waldringfield S C adopted the 400, it had a very short life, about one year after which most went back to racing their heavier and slower Wayfarers. So much for comparisons!

Originally posted by yellowwelly Yep I remember that... aim to hook in ex 29er or offer alternative to 29ers...  ... then they sold one to Graeme. Actually there is a very nice heartwarming 20 something story, featuring the current Int Class bloke...  http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/news/164807/The-most-romantic-story-in-sailing

Cute. There's been a couple of proposals on B14s, though not involving custom kites. As far as I know, one of them was done whilst out practising on Garda, as they hurtled towards the wall with the kite up.

For Christ's sake RS400atC, why do you insist on comparing everything to your beloved 400 as if it is the only decent boat out there. And why does it matter what the relative speeds are? You try to argue for some bizarre reason that we need a reference, but why? If a boat serves a particular demographic looking for an appropriate niche, then that's great for them and makes not the blindest bit of difference to you. Boats like the V3000, Buzz,RS500 are all great for teenagers or lightweight adults who don't want a wobbly boat like a 29er. They are also people who would be far too small to sail your boat, and you are from the sound of it far too large to sail their boats.