Rs 800

Well I like Int 14's, rs800's and b14s (despite the funny shaped spinnaker...!!).  they are certainly better designs/developments of the past 20 or so yrs.

Re the Int 14, I was interested to hear that top boats are currently experimenting with gybing daggerboards......clearly the best boat - but wonder if all the development - on top of the boat handling challenges take it a little beyond the average club/circuit sailor?

I actually owned a b14 about 6 yrs ago, for about 18 months - and really enjoyed racing it, although we never got really good in it.  I also sailed the 800 up at Datchet a few times, and liked that too, but for different reasons.

Probably b14 marginally faster in the light - depends on who'se sailing them I guess..!

Differences for me, are that the B14 probably requires much more technique from both sailors, whereas the 800 can be raced perfectly well by an experienced helm, with a less experienced (albeit physically capable) crew.

Both boats were designed with these traits in mind, and I see them both as strengths....the traditional bagged kite of the b14, provides a boat handling challenge; whereas the 800, is deliberately straighforward - and probably simple for scratch crews to get capable in....winning of course being another matter.

Would I be right in suggesting that the b14 is therefore more of a circuit boat - with the 800 more of a club racer (with a great circuit too)