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getafix View Drop Down
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    Posted: 26 Feb 14 at 4:43pm
Originally posted by yellowwelly

... interesting times.  Both should cost no more than 6k on the water with a top cover and launching trolley, let's see if either can deliver on that.  

LOL Cry LOL
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Posts: 889 		Post Options Post Options   Quote laser193713 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26 Feb 14 at 4:52pm
The worst bit, particularly for RS, is that the marketing has been absolutely shocking. We have seen a couple of little news reports over the last while but if you look at their website for updates there is nothing, it isn't even mentioned. I don't know who is doing their marketing at the moment, perhaps neither do they, it's appalling. The problem they have is that the boat doesn't look as nice as the devoti, it sounds like it wont be as fast and I think people are just a little bored of the RS tag now. No evidence to back any of that up but I just get that feeling...

What people are looking for at the moment is a feel good purchase, while also being fairly sensible. I just think the devoti has the edge there because the other products in their range are so high end it will keep the price up. The same reason most sensible people would buy a VW golf with a decent spec rather than a Dacia Sandero with every box ticked.... I suppose....
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Posts: 2003 		Post Options Post Options   Quote yellowwelly Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26 Feb 14 at 5:02pm
the approach on the RS has been somewhat underwhelming, certainly at consumer level, I have no idea what is going down at institutional marketing level, more than we know about is my suspicion... it leads me to suspect that the UK single purchase dinghy racer is not really the intended target market.  Again gut feel... but I get the vibe it's a boat designed for bulk purchases, emerging markets and if a few of 'us' want one, then fair enough, that's the price, pick a sail, off you go... happy sailing.

Conversely the D-Zero seems to be hitting the enthusiasts spot, with an all-up great looking, sensible modern alternative to what's out there in unarig world already.  I'm struggling to find a negative to be honest... to the point where even glaringly obvious personal mismatches (e.g. 10kg over the initial weight recommendations) has someone who swore blind they'd lay off dinghies for a while, especially with the new class after-birth of PY b**locks etc that's yet to flush through, looking at work arounds for those typical conditions where the +10kg really would punish him.   Embarrassed  And it just looks like a nice boat to sail... fresh, vibrant and modern.  I can't help but like it, but then it's a commercialised Punk, so no surprises there really.

I guess if the Aero had been aired as much, then the excitement and buzz feeling would be equal towards that, but it hasn't, so it isn't... it's just a.n.other singlehander which might do something interesting, or might not... m'eh.  If there were 10 racing locally without any multi rig BS I'd look at it, until then, not I'm really interested.


Edited by yellowwelly - 26 Feb 14 at 5:07pm
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Post Options Post Options   Quote Guests Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26 Feb 14 at 5:28pm
Originally posted by laser193713

The worst bit, particularly for RS, is that the marketing has been absolutely shocking. We have seen a couple of little news reports over the last while but if you look at their website for updates there is nothing, it isn't even mentioned. I don't know who is doing their marketing at the moment, perhaps neither do they, it's appalling. The problem they have is that the boat doesn't look as nice as the devoti, it sounds like it wont be as fast and I think people are just a little bored of the RS tag now. No evidence to back any of that up but I just get that feeling...

What people are looking for at the moment is a feel good purchase, while also being fairly sensible. I just think the devoti has the edge there because the other products in their range are so high end it will keep the price up. The same reason most sensible people would buy a VW golf with a decent spec rather than a Dacia Sandero with every box ticked.... I suppose....

I think thats probably a bit harsh. Dan's boat has been around for a while and what I assume we are seeing is the first production boat. The RS was in prototype form when I sailed it a couple of months or so back, so I suspect is not yet at a final production form, but haven't a clue. The picture looked a bit different to the one I sailed and the controls were different. 

Unless I have missed something, neither is yet being marketed. Rodney has posted some pictures of a very nice looking boat and RS put out a picture of a prototype sailing. I suspect the Dinghy Show has just come along and dictated some timescales. I have no idea why anyone would think they know how either boat will perform as I don't know weight, length, sail size. One may be quicker than the other, but as long as they both have advantages over whats already around, then ultimate speed is unimportant. If you want the ultimate fastest una rigged SMOD singlehander then go buy a 300 which will be faster than both!

This forum is a bit like a PHD student reading Shakespeare - reading all sorts of nonsense into what old Bill thought was a bit of light entertainment when he wrote it!

Anyway, apparently all will be revealed this weekend...my guess is that there will be two new light una rigged singlehander smods released that will rate between 1020 and 1070 that have carbon rigs, semi-battened sails and unfortunately for GRF don't have a gantry so need to be hiked hard to perform at their best ....... blimey, I 've come over all clairvoyant. See you there Hug
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Posts: 3958 		Post Options Post Options   Quote winging it Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26 Feb 14 at 5:41pm
Having had to deal with various trashed club lasers this week I'm seriously hoping the Aero may turn outto be a viable training/holiday centre alternative. 

My recent experience of RS customer service has been dire.  I would not want to be buying a boat for myself from them.
the same, but different...

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Posts: 220 		Post Options Post Options   Quote sandgrounder Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26 Feb 14 at 5:41pm
Originally posted by Rupert

Nessa, from what I saw of the Punk sailing, it is a step up in terms of keeping mast above rig than the Lightning. Er Indoors might need a bit more time learning in a less full-on boat or risk being put off.
 
Hardly a fair comparison. As with a lot of life's activities it's often more fun to do than to watch.
I've been fortunate to have sailed both the Lightning and the D-Zero prototype. In anything above 5 kts the D-Zero is easier to sail and infinitely more rewarding.
 
No doubt Er Indoors will get to try one for herself soon enough, and make her own mind up.
 
from the perspective of an
Average Club Sailor
 


Edited by sandgrounder - 26 Feb 14 at 5:45pm
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Posts: 6499 		Post Options Post Options   Quote iGRF Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26 Feb 14 at 6:00pm
Nearly eight grand time you have the trailers and everything is a bit eye watering, I suppose if you say seven and a half grand quick enough and acknowledge that even race boards are three grand, it's not too bad, just a rumour but that could be how high that price is unless my euro calculations are out a little bird told me
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Posts: 220 		Post Options Post Options   Quote sandgrounder Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26 Feb 14 at 6:05pm
Originally posted by laser193713

They are mainsheet cleats as were supplied but not fitted to every laser. At least they have recessed the bloody things into the deck so you dont bite your arse with them every time you tack. I suppose they are needed because the traveller adjustment is so awkward at the back of the toe strap.
 
I suspect the reason a sailor of Dan's calibre would design the D-Zero with ( nicely recessed ) deck cleats for the mainsheet is the same reason that ( 9 times ) Laser World Champion Robert Scheidt fits the optional mainsheet cleats to the deck of his Laser.
 
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Posts: 1760 		Post Options Post Options   Quote maxibuddah Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26 Feb 14 at 6:46pm
Yep sometimes it's just nice to cleat the main to take the pressure off your hands, just for a little while.....especially on large flat water with very few shifts
Everything I say is my opinion, honest
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getafix View Drop Down
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Posts: 2143 		Post Options Post Options   Quote getafix Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26 Feb 14 at 7:31pm
Originally posted by yellowwelly

the approach on the RS has been somewhat underwhelming, certainly at consumer level, I have no idea what is going down at institutional marketing level, more than we know about is my suspicion... it leads me to suspect that the UK single purchase dinghy racer is not really the intended target market.  Again gut feel... but I get the vibe it's a boat designed for bulk purchases, emerging markets and if a few of 'us' want one, then fair enough, that's the price, pick a sail, off you go... happy sailing.

Conversely the D-Zero seems to be hitting the enthusiasts spot, with an all-up great looking, sensible modern alternative to what's out there in unarig world already.  I'm struggling to find a negative to be honest... to the point where even glaringly obvious personal mismatches (e.g. 10kg over the initial weight recommendations) has someone who swore blind they'd lay off dinghies for a while, especially with the new class after-birth of PY b**locks etc that's yet to flush through, looking at work arounds for those typical conditions where the +10kg really would punish him.   Embarrassed  And it just looks like a nice boat to sail... fresh, vibrant and modern.  I can't help but like it, but then it's a commercialised Punk, so no surprises there really.

I guess if the Aero had been aired as much, then the excitement and buzz feeling would be equal towards that, but it hasn't, so it isn't... it's just a.n.other singlehander which might do something interesting, or might not... m'eh.  If there were 10 racing locally without any multi rig BS I'd look at it, until then, not I'm really interested.

Guess one would go for larger volumes and be happy with less gm per unit, the other cant match the volumes so will go for a higher gm per unit, it could also be the same for the sailing properties; one is more "mass market" while the other could be more "tweaky" 

My guess is that if you want max value for your outweigh you may well find a better deal elsewhere at the dinghy show, perhaps something like the F3.7, where self-build or finish options , means you cpull drive some pretty nice savings if you're handy with a screwdriver and willing to haggle with the marine industry for kit
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