|
The Terrific Twos
As the racing fleets fragment from the more
"traditional" classes and regroup in the form of the newer breed
of light faster asymmetrics, two key boats are emerging to take up the
role of the mid-sized dinghy: the RS200 and the Laser 2000. The
"2"s sail similarly on the water and perform well together in
club racing. Together they take up the role of the mid-sized racer on the
WWSC Recommended Class list. The boats are examined below. We look forward
to developing these fleets, and perhaps soon having a separate
"2"s fleet for the mid range boats.
Our experience of the two classes so far at Weir Wood
is they perform very similarly in most conditions (Tim H suspects the RS
has the edge in light winds, and the Laser maybe quicker in a blow but has
little evidence of either as yet). However
they do meet very different and complimentary sets of requirements.
Both are well suited to competitive racers, but the 200 is slightly
more sensitive and ‘twitchy’ and has an established circuit.
The 2000 is more roomy and stable, and has a rapidly growing
circuit – 52 boats at last year’s nationals and 25 at Weir Wood’s
open. Off the race-track the
Laser 2000s furling jib, reefing main and larger cockpit make it more
suited to cruisers, families larger crews and ambitious beginners.
The 2000 also has an optional trapeze kit (the mast already has the
slots so it takes minutes to fit).
The two greatest advantages of both over more
traditional designs are probably the ease of handling and performance
boost of the genneker (its just like a a big jib) and self draining
cockpits – water just runs out after a capsize!
RS200 (by
Andrew Bowley)
The RS200 is a super light asymmetric (hull weight
only 78kg!). It is designed for the lighter - typically mixed - crews,
with an ideal combined crew weight range of 18-22 stones. It is a wide
hiking boat with light sheet loads, so great for a range of abilities. The
set up is designed for simplicity, with ingenious rigging providing easy
handling of the spinnaker as well as the main and jib sheets. The
asymmetric spinnaker is launched from a chute with a single continuous
halyard that also brings out the bow sprit. The same halyard is pulled the
other direction to bring down the spinnaker and bring the pole in. The
helm or crew can adjust the kicker and cunningham from the seated position
on each side of the boat. All of these systems form part of the standing
rigging, so rigging up is quick and easy.
The hull shape of the RS200 makes it ideal in all
conditions. It has a classic "V" shaped hull at the front
changing to a virtually flat section aft of the centreplate. This makes it
easy to sail, with your weight forward, in light winds, yet allows for
some really exciting downwind planing in a breeze. The boat (and the
author!) loves a force 4-5 from the top end of Weir Wood. As with other
asymmetrics, the skill in downwind sailing lies in sailing a zig-zag so as
to increase the exposure of the spinnaker to the wind and maximise the
speed. It is recommended to sail the RS200 at the same angles downwind as
you would tack upwind.
The RS200 is quite a tippy boat, so be prepared for
some swimming in a strong blow. All of its flotation is from the mast
forward, so when capsized it sits very low at the back and is easy to
right. The open transom also means that most of the water pours straight
out the back, and the self bailer does the rest!
Weir
Wood now has 6 RSW200s, all sailed by active racers. The national fleet
has grown tremendously, so much so that an upper limit of 100 boats has
had to be placed on the Nationals this year. Weir Wood host a
RS200 Open every year and hope to attract crews from around the
region.
The RS200 has a very strong hull and holds its value
very well. Prices for second hand boats are coming down and can now be
picked up from £3,000. New boats cost around £6,500.
Boat details: Web: www.rs-association.com < http://www.rs-association.com
<http://www.rs-association.com>
>
Vital statistics: Length - 4.00m; Beam - 1.83m; Sail
Area - main/jib - 11.52 sq m; spinnaker - 8.89 sq m
Laser 2000 (by Roger White)
It took us months to decide to buy our Laser 2000,
but on the water we fell for it in seconds. It's not as pretty as the
RS200 but it has a strong presence and the rugged good looks of a boat
that will meet the needs of most club sailors in most conditions. If the
RS is George Cloony the Laser will definitely win the Oscar as Mel Gibson!
Rigging the 2000 is easy. As with most modern boats
the running rigging has been designed to work efficiently and is sensibly
laid out with the downhaul and kicker lines run aft and easily available
for adjustment either side of the thwart. The roller reefing headsail
further adds to simplicity. The boat can be ready for launching within
minutes but be ready for "passers by" to distract you; its your
duty to pass on the virtues of the 2000 to people who are immediately
attracted to it. They may just be on a casual stroll in the country today
but next week they could be members with their shiny new boat ready to go
onto the water - it happened!
The inherent stability and roomy cockpit of the 2000
makes it easy to launch and easy to "get underway". The boat
quickly settles into its routine on the water as it waits for the decision
from the crew about racing or just a pleasant cruise - and at Weir Wood
you have the perfect opportunity for both.
Should you wish to develop your racing skills further afield, there
is an enthusiastic and rapidly growing open circuit.
With 52 boats at last year’s Nationals, and 25 at the Weir Wood
open, this is a racing class which is going places, and stepping into a
similar role as the classic GP 14 and Enterprise.
Once sailing you will notice the roomy cockpit with
good headroom beneath the boom. A comfortable seating position makes
hiking easy. The toe straps are nicely positioned for even the most
acrobatic of crews who can also enjoy the optional trapeze kit (‘out of
class’ for racing purposes) that those nice Laser people now supply. A
light touch on the tiller will take you where you want to go and it will
respond well to traditional techniques of subtle sail trim to aid
directional control - you really do not need to oversteer this boat.
Upwind in a nice breeze you make good progress, but in lighter conditions
with a slightly heavier hull it pays to sail freer. Off the wind the 2000
will provide all the thrills and exhilaration you need; it planes quickly,
just get that weight aft and enjoy the ride. Under genneker power - the
hoist and drop are simple - and playing the genneker exactly in the same
manner as a traditional jib, you will experience another side of this
versatile boat; now you can really feel the wind in your face confident
that your kite is unlikely to run away with you.
Exhausted or exhilarated you will return to the jetty
for probably another round of interviews and autograph hunters who have
been watching your (or should I say "the boats") display. But
remember to be ready to rotate the centre plate back into its housing -
another user friendly feature compared to the daggerboard of many new
boats, furl the headsail and coolly come port side to.
The boat can be put to bed in minutes and you will
quickly be back in the clubhouse - roll on next week.
Class association http://laser2000.lasersailing.com/
Laser web site: http://www.lasersailing.com
Vital statistics: Length - 4.44m; Beam - 1.85m; Sail
Area - main/jib - 11.78 sq m; spinnaker – 9.86 sq m
| 
