R Speculation

Originally posted by Rupert why hasn't the 500 sold more boats?

For the same reason the Alto hasn't I guess It's a two hander, we have three in our club, but one has just reverted to a 470 and I suspect the other two will eventually change because of the problems racing them round cans.

There is a gaping great gap for a decent two hander trap boat, an Alto made wash through and lighter, a Buzz centreboard made down to a decent weight, a Vago built properly. I'm not going to say kited Icon, I think it would be a nightmare I'm glad I was persuaded not to do that by my crew. I've not sailed a Buzz, but seeing those two bandit brothers in the water in an easy bit suggests it's not that much of a walk in the park given their skill and two handers generally I think should be, as they tend to be for entry level, either one experienced person etching newcomers or a couple of single handers teaming up for a lark and other than the Alto which has it's own issues, there isn't one.

Edited by iGRF - 04 Sep 14 at 11:17am

Originally posted by Null Originally posted by iGRF Originally posted by Null Graeme i think you are misunderstanding to the dinghy community. If the boat is aimed at a family market, newbies or people that want a holiday toy.  Then yes that package works and presents plenty of USP compared to the rest of the market. However, historically (as you know and hate) the UK dinghy market is very different, most people are used to dealing with small builders who have little idea about how to actually sell and package a product.  This is why so many are so cynical, the market in the UK is not used to being sold to.  Its used to making informed buying decisions.  I think that's why on occasions there is backlash around wild claims and marketing techniques. Now which would you rather happen to them, RS get them into something half decent or 'wood-botherers-on-pond' convincing them that a coffin should be their immediate future?   I would rather they make an informed decision about the right product for them based on sound advice and factual content.

it's a little patronising to say the UK dinghy market is devoid of any 'proper' marketing excepting RS isn't it.....Harken, Rooster et al might take offence

actually there was loads of marketing back in the 90's when I was an impressionable yoof..... I can't believe I never got to own that Topper SPICE, what an amazing boat that was purported to be.  

Edited by kneewrecker - 04 Sep 14 at 11:43am

Originally posted by kneewrecker Originally posted by Rupert The area they haven't got covered for me is a slightly bigger version of the Feva with a trap for teens to sail and clubs to own. Maybe 13 feet long. ... and with 420s and 29ers covering this space, with event programmes that make those teenage years fun, I can see why RS wouldn't attack that market space.  Young adults will buy with their peers... that a lot of instagram and snapchat for even the RS marketing machine to consider getting on the case with.

More thinking of something to fill the gap before the 29er - huge jump from a Feva to that, and one I have seen teens put off sailing by. But a longer boat with more space for a bigger crew than a Feva can fit, with a kite that, while not huge, is big enough to make a difference, rotomoulded to encourage club ownership. I know at Whitefriars, we used to own a 29er, and it was a nightmare to keep running. Apart from a 420, we now stop at the Feva, and expect people to buy something id they want a faster boat. That could change if RS brought out a boat like the above, and it would also be big enough to use as a hire boat for average sized adults.