New Posts New Posts RSS Feed: R Speculation
  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Register Register  Login Login

R Speculation
 Post Reply Post Reply Page  <1 8687888990 114>
Author
  Share Topic Share Topic  Topic Search Topic Search  Topic Options Topic Options
Guests View Drop Down
Guest Group
Guest Group
Post Options Post Options   Quote Guests Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: R Speculation
    Posted: 03 Sep 14 at 3:35pm
Originally posted by kneewrecker

From the following article:

http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/news/178782/RS-Sailing-at-PSP-Southampton-Boat-Show

The RS Aero is the product of three years of development here at RS HQ, testing four different hull variations and numerous rigs, foils and layouts - resulting in a boat that we're confident is the most technologically advanced in its sector.

cough... dacron.  cough... cough....

Sail it and see would be my advice, which I doubt you have. I can assure you that on that rig, the stretch of the dacron really works.

There has been enough comment from the RS MD on why Dacron was chosen, even offering to give people contact details for the sailmakers. 

The Dzero Rig is very good, you hoist the sail and it has a predetermined shape and doesn't need much kicker apart from setting the leech.

The RSaero sail goes onto a straight-backed mast and needs Kicker to create the shape. They are totally different to set up and they both work well, but I can see why they chose Dacron. Ironically, when I demoed the Dzero at Stoked the one guy from North told me as much. 

You could argue that the aero mast is not as sophisticated so needs a different style of sail and there may be some truth in that, but at the end of the day they both get there, but via slightly different routes. Fact is, they are what they are, neither has reinvented the laws of physics, but either is a heck of a lot better than that ancient bit of pipe on the Laser. 

From a marketing perspective Mylar is an easier sell and as everyone talks about the RS marketing machine, they would hardly of given themselves a harder position if it wasn't needed would they?

The cost comments are a red herring, ask North's.

There rigs are different to sail, but doubt one is particularly better than the other in performance terms. 


Edited by SimonW99 - 03 Sep 14 at 3:59pm
Back to Top
davidyacht View Drop Down
Really should get out more
Really should get out more


Joined: 29 Mar 05
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1345 		Post Options Post Options   Quote davidyacht Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Sep 14 at 4:05pm
Good grief ... nothing is what it seems!
Back to Top
kneewrecker View Drop Down
Really should get out more
Really should get out more
Avatar

Joined: 09 Apr 14
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1586 		Post Options Post Options   Quote kneewrecker Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Sep 14 at 4:19pm
from a marketing perspective you could argue that someone is trying to re-write the history books... 'the most technologically advanced'... OK, if you say so.  Confused
Back to Top
getafix View Drop Down
Really should get out more
Really should get out more
Avatar

Joined: 28 Mar 06
Location: United Kingdom
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2143 		Post Options Post Options   Quote getafix Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Sep 14 at 4:53pm
Far rather a cloth offering stretch and 'memory' than a cloth that does not, when used in the right places on a well designed sail, than a "marketing optimised" sail, which looks nice for the first dozen or so outings.  Or is profit-optimised rather than user-optimised.

.... although I do hope there is a healthy profit in them, as RS are a great British dinghy sailing brand as far as I am concerned (100 ownership bias freely admitted)
Back to Top
AlexM View Drop Down
Really should get out more
Really should get out more


Joined: 10 Jan 06
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 857 		Post Options Post Options   Quote AlexM Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Sep 14 at 4:56pm
The Aero is coming to our club at the weekend, can't wait to have a look.
Back to Top
JimC View Drop Down
Really should get out more
Really should get out more
Avatar

Joined: 17 May 04
Location: United Kingdom
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 6662 		Post Options Post Options   Quote JimC Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Sep 14 at 5:57pm
Originally posted by kneewrecker

'the most technologically advanced'... OK, if you say so. 

advanced * in its sector*... I wonder how big the sector is?
Back to Top
kneewrecker View Drop Down
Really should get out more
Really should get out more
Avatar

Joined: 09 Apr 14
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1586 		Post Options Post Options   Quote kneewrecker Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Sep 14 at 6:23pm
Yep, that was my thoughts.... Single handed unarig hiker, I think not.

Even 'beach watersports toy' is a big stretch given the massive amounts of progress inflatable SUPs are going through this season. I'd almost buy one!

(And this wasn't to suggest the D-Zero is some technical advancement either- I think even Dan would call it refinement and evolution rather 'advancement' per say).

Weasel words and marketing hype... Love it.

Edited by kneewrecker - 03 Sep 14 at 6:23pm
Back to Top
Guests View Drop Down
Guest Group
Guest Group
Post Options Post Options   Quote Guests Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Sep 14 at 9:25am
I think its sector is pretty clear isn't it?

Single handed una rig hiker.

Same as Laser, Solo, Phantom, lightning, Supernova, Dzero etc (albeit Blaze is slightly different).

I am not sure I see any of them in a different category. Some carry fat boys better and some have lots of string to keep the A**ly retentive happy, all can be raced, or all taken for a yacht around the bay. Some are better inland, some at sea and some do both.

Do I think that the aero or Dzero rigs are at the cutting edge - er no. 

Is one more technical than the other to sail - er no probably not.

So on balance, they are evolution, but are all in the same sector, No 'weasel words'

The one thing that no one can argue about with the aero is the building of an all rounder mass produced hull at 30kg that is 'bullet proof'- that has taken some very clever design thought.
Back to Top
kneewrecker View Drop Down
Really should get out more
Really should get out more
Avatar

Joined: 09 Apr 14
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1586 		Post Options Post Options   Quote kneewrecker Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Sep 14 at 9:43am
I think the sector would also include other monohull hiking unarigs.... in which case the Moth would obviously be at the cutting edge of 'technological advancement'.  Anyway, it's just words, it's up to us individually to decide how weasily they are... especially when applied to a dacron sail cut for a mast sourced on the cheap from a fishing rod manufacturer.  ;-)
Back to Top
Null View Drop Down
Really should get out more
Really should get out more


Joined: 11 May 14
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 745 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Null Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Sep 14 at 9:53am
I would say the term 'Bullet-Proof' is a little brave given they have barely delivered any new boats just yet Simon!

Bullet proof to me, is the Rondar 505 thats still stiff as a board and competitive at 20 years old, or perhaps the Laser thats 20 years old and dragged out the nettles.

Lets see final production weights and long term longevity before giving any new boat Zero, Aero, hoot, MX next etc. etc. etc.  the bullet proof moniker

So in essence the one thing you CAN argue with is that!
Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply Page  <1 8687888990 114>

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down

Bulletin Board Software by Web Wiz Forums® version 9.665y
Copyright ©2001-2010 Web Wiz
Change your personal settings, or read our privacy policy