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Am i Mad ? Novice in a RS700.... |
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Ian29937 
Far too distracted from work 
Joined: 25 May 05 Online Status: Offline Posts: 409 |
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 Topic: Am i Mad ? Novice in a RS700....Posted: 02 Sep 14 at 7:53am |
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I jumped from a Laser into a 700 10 years ago and still love the boat. It's possible to do but you need to go in with the right mindset, you're back at primary school and need to put the time in become proficient. The other mistake many, many people make is thinking they can self teach as they have done in the past with non-apparent wind classes. Make full use of the forums, ask the class about coaching (most of which is done on demand as a result of requests), post videos and ask for help. And the last, but most important one is come along to events before you think you're ready. You'll learn more from watching, talking with and drinking with the guy's who've served the apprenticeship. Nobody minds the guy struggling at the back, we've all been there. There were 700's in the boat park at the recent Nationals who didn't take part because they 'weren't good enough'. They missed a great opportunity there.
You could look at the Fireball or Contender to get some trapeze experience, but the biggest learning is the way apparent wind works in a skiff and neither of those boats, great as trhey both are, can help in that department. If you go down to Blackwater you also have a very competent 700 sailor at the club, Pete Purkiss, as well as a couple of other boats, who I'm sure would be happy to help you with any questions. PM me and I can put you in touch. Cheers Ian Nolan |
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edsned
Newbie 
Joined: 27 Nov 12 Online Status: Offline Posts: 4 |
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Posted: 02 Sep 14 at 8:07am |
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James, go for it.
I was in a very similar position 2 years ago. Had raced dinghies when I was younger (not that well if I'm honest), then sailed a lot of big boats through my 20s, with an old Contender in the background that I only sailed about 3-4 times a year. Then had 10yrs off while I went bike racing. Bought a 700 last spring and it's been brilliant. I don't sail it enough to really master it (I have 2 kids under 4yrs) so I only go out about once a month - however I find it's remarkably ok to handle (no doubt badly) within a narrow wind-range - probably 5-14knts. At the moment, more than that and I struggle but if I were to sail it more, then no doubt that range would widen. I find the 700 very forgiving though. Upwind, it's very stable and easy to manage (and I'm on hole 6 so fairly wide racks); tacking seems fine provided you're decisive and don't dawdle mid-tack (I don't seem to get stuck in irons that much, unlike the stories I hear of the 600), and downwind is much more interesting than 600 and Contenders. Once the kite is up and you're out on the racks/wire, then it's relatively manageable just through alert helming. My biggest challenge is the 20 secs of actually getting the kite up and then settled (or getting it down) in more than say 12-14knts of wind, but even on my limited time in the boat, I manage that most of the time. Sorting the halyard pump system is crucial here (so it goes up & down quickly) if the boat you buy hasn't already been sorted properly (eg a slippery 4mm dyneema halyard) I don't race much (yet), and so no doubt I'm wildly off the pace, but in terms of keeping it upright and having a blast, it has been much more attainable than I had expected or had been warned. I'm glad I got it and would definitely do the same if I had my time again. And looking at the alternatives eg Musto Skiffs etc, I reckon the 700 is brilliant value for money. It may not be perfect, but anything else getting close to bang-for-buck is double the price. |
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jamesrose
Newbie
Joined: 01 Sep 14 Online Status: Offline Posts: 22 |
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Posted: 02 Sep 14 at 8:56am |
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Thanks, thats what I want to hear...I am in a very similar situation to you...I also have two kids under 4.
I think i'll give the 700 a try and if it proves to be too much for me I'll have re think in a couple of seasons. I'll try to borrow a laser or similar to get some hours on the water and volunteer to do some crewing and see how I get on. Thanks for all the advice so far...you are a helpful bunch.
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Medway Maniac
Really should get out more 
Joined: 13 May 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 2788 |
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Posted: 02 Sep 14 at 9:47am |
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Crewing is a great way of settling into any new club...
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blaze720
Really should get out more
Joined: 28 Sep 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 1635 |
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Posted: 02 Sep 14 at 12:55pm |
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.... er maybe try a few boats first ? .... always the standard advice to the wise - and anyone else for that matter ....
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jamesrose
Newbie
Joined: 01 Sep 14 Online Status: Offline Posts: 22 |
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Posted: 02 Sep 14 at 1:22pm |
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Great advice, but always a little easier said than done. Where can you turn up and try a selection of boats ?
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kneewrecker
Really should get out more
Joined: 09 Apr 14 Online Status: Offline Posts: 1586 |
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Posted: 02 Sep 14 at 1:30pm |
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National Watersports Festival this weekend....
oh, sorry 'boats', not 'boards'... you'll be back in the dark ages of scurrying around the country and end up picking the one you sailed on a sunny day in a F4.... Go for the 700- they're getting a bit of a resurgence at the mo, so I'd say the money's safe for a good couple of seasons. After that, if you like it enough you won't give a crap about re-sale value.
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edsned
Newbie
Joined: 27 Nov 12 Online Status: Offline Posts: 4 |
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Posted: 02 Sep 14 at 3:30pm |
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Ian's right about forgetting everything you know about slower boats and going in with a mindset of starting again.
and the best advice I was given: never sit down
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iamalipaul
Newbie
Joined: 26 May 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 30 |
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Posted: 02 Sep 14 at 9:18pm |
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Ian is also right about getting to an event, you will learn lots more than if you try to do it on your own.
this guy is quite good as well:
Edited by iamalipaul - 03 Sep 14 at 9:12pm |
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Still swimming with an RS700!
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Phil_1193
Groupie 
Joined: 07 Jan 10 Online Status: Offline Posts: 78 |
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Posted: 03 Sep 14 at 1:30pm |
As per the offer on your Pistonheads post, come have a go in the Phantom. Size and weight is bang on for one Still on the Blackwater but the otherside of Osea to BSC at Stone |
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