I've been sailing for about a 18 months now. I'm considering 'trading up' from my Laser after our local Frostbites. I really like the look of the RS600 and they seem to be great value for money at the moment. Thing is, I've been quite put off by the sheer number of reports describing the steep learning curve of this boat. I've done an RYA kites and wires course and have some experience on the wire, but no helming. I'm a competent, if not exactly expert sailor. I don't mind swimming and I'm not hugely pushed about racing. I'm pretty sure that if I was to get one, I'd be the only person in Ireland with an RS 600 so trying before buying isn't on the cards. So, my question is, would I be mad and totally out of my depth? Also, I'm 5'9'' and weigh 75kg: would I get away with narrow wings? There seem to be very few on the market with wide wings. I sail in a large sheltered harbour. Thanks a mil for any help!

Peter

600 would be a real challenge with 18 months experience in my view if you've not helmed on the wire it's a wobbly platform the 600 compared to a contender or even laser vortex which can also be picked up quite cheap

 

I was in my 40's and not that fit, but reasonably agile.

I had owned contenders 15 years ago, dabbled in crewing RS800's, helmed a range of boats from Bosun Dinghies to 80ft yachts.

I sailed mine about every other week for 6 months or so, got to the point where I would reliably finish races in up to F4 gusting F5, with a few capsizes on windier days. I lacked the stamina to sail beyond 4 or 5 capsizes.

I did a coaching day with the class which was quite windy and helped a great deal. Definitely worth talking to the class.

I would agree the Contender is worth considering, if your venue has enough wind to trapeze most days. They are great in F4 plus, but less great in F1/F2 IMHO. I would guess a sailable one can be got cheaper than the 600, but a cheap 600 is likely to be more competitive than a cheap Contender?

The 600 was dear to insure IIRC, worth checking if budget is tight.

Once you sort tacking in the heavier stuff, its fine. Tacking in lighter winds is relatively easy, especially with minimal kicker on. 

There is a facebook forum too, if you're interested

Essentially a Musto Skiff* but at half the price 2nd hand. 

*yes I know, but mostly subtle differences.

Interestingly I know of a guy in the US who removed the pump system.... that would be interesting to try.

but a 600 ain't a bad boat for a dead class, there are far worse options out there for sure!  

with a boat only worth £1000, your insurance should be around £150 with a decent excess, although Noble is more.

Snap a mast and you'll find your boat is effectively written off, which isn'y good for your claims history:

http://www.ldcsailing.com/rs600-mast-rigged-with-diamonds-only.ir?cName=boat-parts-spars-mast-parts-rs-specific-mast-parts-rs600-mast-parts" rel="nofollow - http://www.ldcsailing.com/rs600-mast-rigged-with-diamonds-only.ir?cName=boat-parts-spars-mast-parts-rs-specific-mast-parts-rs600-mast-parts

£1300 for a new stick!

The benefit of a contender would be a 'wanted ad' and you'll pick up an old tin mast for a few notes- this will keep you on the water, keep your insurance down and mean either yoy or your insurance company won't be spending the same again in the event of a breakage on a known weak point.

They are quite tough (as in I never broke mine, nor did any of the people I loaned it to).

They are also repairable.

 

In my experience of people buying faster boats, I hear a lot more people wishing they'd gone high performance earlier than wishing they'd got something slower...

 

There are some 600 masts around that look a bit sunburned and sordid, but even so, how often do they break?

 

I guess some boats will be written off by the high cost of spares, but that should put a few spare wings, booms, rudders etc etc into the market.

 

A sub-£1k contender would be in the same position.

In cars and motorbikes we accept breaking the odd damaged one for parts, why not in boats?

RS did change the design and the 'new' mast does not suffer the same issue.

As for scabby and sun burned just make sure it is not too bad and then get busy with some sandpaper and varnish/paint to protect it and ensure the UV does not harm the fibers.

I think early Superspars masts also had an ali sleeve where the reefing stump joins on.

but a break at 'stump' level can be (relatively) easily fixed as the bend characteristic is not ever so critical right at the bottom of the sail.

I don't know if there are other sleeves higher up?

 

Well I sold my 600 because it was too much commitment as a second (almost third) boat.

Too much commitment to sailing the 400 and crewing a fair few evenings in something else.

When I bought it, I had thought I be doing a bit less in the 400 for a few reasons.

I certainly wish I'd bought the 400 five years earlier and the 600 ten years earlier, although they were too expensive then.

Back in the day when I bought my first clapped out 505, I remember wishing I'd done it earlier instead of pottering about in Enterprises and keelboats.

I don't think it is always a mistake to buy a fast boat (or board  even?) and sell it on without fully mastering it, it gives you an insight into sailing which is hard to get any other way and will be of value later.

If the mast is carbon it will be repaired (circa £400 per join) - we had ours repaired ( don't ask) was in three pieces cannot see the joins....