"My thoughts on the RS200:"

 

"I must stress that these are only my opinions - others may have different ones!"

 

Rob

 

Gordon Padmore then invited Andrew Weedon of Purple Marine to comment in reply by sending him this email text:

Hi Andrew

Many thanks for attending Barnt Green Sailing Club last weekend and for giving members the opportunity to sail in your RS200.

As discussed, this may take some time to establish the class, unless we get one or two racing on a regular basis. However, Rob Lennox was asked to appraise the boat having been in it and I thought it only but fair to give you the right to reply. 

 Regards,  Gordon.

Hi Gordon,

Thanks for the chance to view and reply to this. Apologies for the delay in replying that was down to workload & being without my laptop

Reply to points made by Rob Lennox’s test sail of the RS200

The conditions on the day fluctuated between very light to medium wind strength and as a newcomer to the lake; it took a while to get used to the shifts. All those who sailed the 200 with me made positive comments reflecting the reason I bought the boat, that it is a lot of fun & the systems very sorted. Rob takes a far more analytical line based upon racing it at Barnt Green which I will respond to point by point below but I think it worth reiterating that this class is the most successful current adult class based on attendances at events, with some of the top national sailors, sailing at sea & inland venues of various sizes. So here goes:

• I felt that the fixed bowsprit severely limits the angles you can sail downwind - it would not be worth flying the kite on many downwind legs at BGSC.

Asymmetric spinnakers have a disadvantage in that the depth that can be sailed downwind is dictated by the wind conditions. The SRS running system which effectively allows the spinnaker to goosewing downwind was not demonstrated. It is rarely used on open water but very effective in small inland waters on restricted club race courses. An asymmetric spinnaker uses CMG and VMG strategy to reach the leeward mark rather than sailing straight toward it like a symmetrical spinnaker. This is a different tactic but no less effective.

• Difficult to hoist the kite on port tack as stowed to port so has to be hauled around the jib - not good for the life of either sail.

This is something of a technique based issue, but a compact 12ft boat needs its jib tacked on the bow rather than inside the mouth of the spinnaker. This soon becomes familiar as you give the windward sheet a tug as you drop the sail. More tricky than when the spinnaker hoists behind the jib, but still no pole or twinning lines!!

• Visibility very restricted downwind - helm has to keep a good lookout!

This is a standard comment when moving to an asymmetric. It was relatively light on the day that Rob tested the boat – in stronger conditions the bow is lifted and visibility is better. Translucent mainsail gives better upwind visibility than a Dacron sail.

• Not a good boat to try and race to its PY at Barnt Green - I'd be amazed if it could ever win a race against a well sailed Lark or Solo.

The statistics would suggest otherwise. The RS200 performs well in restricted inland waters on handicap, though agreed, a well sailed Lark or Solo is a slippery opponent!

• I found the steering to be very heavy compared to an Enterprise, but maybe the rudder on the test boat was raked too far back

Yes there was a problem in that it had lost a stopper. RS200 rudder blade is rake critical and loads quickly when heeled. This is considered a good thing. A large blade is always slightly heavier than a narrow chord foil (like a Lark)

• I wouldn't want to race it with 2 medium/large adults on board; you definitely need to be lighter than for Lark or Enterprise.

Recommended crew weight is 16-22stone ideally, but some heavier teams compete effectively with good technique. We regularly hear of club sailors racing up to 26-27 stone.

• The entry level cost is high as second hand boats are still expensive.

Strong used values are good news in that there is a low cost of ownership as the boats hold their values well.

At the end of the day, buying a boat is a personal decision based on many considerations including crew availability, size, numbers at club, type of sailing, competition and many more. I have owned mine for nearly four years and it never ceases to give me the grin factor!

Andrew.