The RS100 Owners Thread

I sailed 3 races at the weekend in a F2 gusting 3. Yorkshire Dales SC - so fairly large open water with 1/2 mile beat and longer offwind.

Course was a one sided beat  where I was almost permanently at max power / hiking and wondering if I should have de-powered more - but there were lulls and I hate being underpowered. There was a mix of offwind angles - but all kiteable. Results were 6th - 4th and DNF (England kick off intervened) - but I was probably heading for a 3rd.

Trapeze boats dominated, but I also struggled against a couple of good RS200s and a fast Laser. Found the Laser was only a fraction slower upwind - so if he won the start it was hard to pass - but if I was in frront, I could extend a bit. Offwind it was all about gusts - if I got a strong gust on a tight leg I was really struggling to make the mark - but if I got one on the run / broader legs I was flying. 

I won an open event the week before in a 29er - against most of the same boats plus some visitors - and in lighter winds.So I can't (currently) see how the H/cap is a bandit

It would have been even harder to get a good result if it had been windier as more of the trapeze boats would probably have beat me. There's another 100 - sailed by a competent L4000 helm. She's struggling at back of the fleet at the moment - bottom 5 usually - but hasn't done much singlehanded sailing before this so will improve.

I reckon the PY may be about right - as I can hopefully improve as I get used to the boat and so start getting better results in those marginal conditions. The jury is out on performance in lighter stuff, and I know there's little chance for me in anything approaching a F4 as the trap boats and 200s will probably beat me. Bring on some class racing!

I was in a demo boat - (still pondering how to pay for my own without upsetting the missus).

It was the 8.4 rig - and to be frank, my earlier thoughts that I'd want a big rig have all but evaporated now. The 8.4 is easily big enough for most breezes and so I'd only use the bigger rig if it was very light. That wouldn't be allowed during a series, so I'd only use it in the odd 'one off' event. It just doesn't seem worth the effort / cost for the very few times I'd use it.

It was good to see a 100 out today at Whitefriars with Demo Dave at the helm. It was windy, windy, windy, but the kite was popping up and the boat was flying. I was left for dead in the Lightning as soon as the 100 went off wind.

Sadly, a bit too windy to go for a first sail in one, and Charlie was having a day off from being Demo Dave, and just enjoying the sailing.