RS800 Prototype Deck - Note from LDC Racing Sailboats

The prototype decked RS800 was on display at the weekend at Sailboat, and attracted huge interest. Several of the committee were there to help, and we all felt feedback was very positive. Your class rep, Ian Martin, will be sailing the prototype at Chew this coming weekend, and is happy to chat 800s, as ever. Following discussions at the Class committee meeting at the end of January, and positive feedback from the sailors, we started preliminary work on a new deck mould. The work is being done by 800 sailor Jamie Stewart, who, as many of you know, is passionate about the project. We understood the risk of wasted work if the proposals were voted against, but the advantages of being able to deliver new boats from May onwards and being able to go to the Ladies Olympic boat trials with a new boat was worth the risk. Again following support from the committee I have spoken to Jamie Stewart about becoming the nominated builder for the RS800. His intention would be to build the boats himself, and together with very regular involvement from Alex and myself, (Jamie's business "Synthesize Yachts and Design" is based locally), the best quality will be assured. We at LDC are very excited about the future of the RS800, as we know many of you are. If you have any questions or comments with regard the changes, please fell free to call or e-mail me - 02380 246331 direct or [email protected] . Below are a series of F.A.Qs - 1. Will any of the proposed changes affect the performance of the RS800 at all? NO. All performance affecting features like sail or underwater shape, dimension, weight, stiffness etc will remain the same. 2. Will these changes, if adopted, affect second hand values at all? Very Unlikely. Second hand values are currently on the increase. If your boat with a bit of TLC and a new suit of sails could win the Nationals � and 90% could � it will always be worth 50-75% of new price (�10500- �11000), dependant upon condition and age. 3. How does changing the shape of the deck help RS improve the quality of the RS800? The build of a new deck 800 is a greatly simplified process. All areas that have proved tricky over the build of the last 300 boats are now sorted by design or process. More time can be allocated to checking every last detail. It can, as a result, be stronger and longer lasting. 4. Will the new deck make sailing the boat any easier or harder? If you aspire to staying on your feet as much as you can it will make it easier: If you like the sit in feel of the 800 you will think it more comfortable: Making the floor kick blocks an option means the cockpit is so clear and easy to move around on. How many times have you tripped, or grazed a shin on the current kick blocks?? 5. Why are RS keen to make the changes rather than just carry on as before? The current design is trickier and far more costly to build. Low volume (of sales) racing boats have to be built in the UK, where costs have risen sharply. The required skill level is often hard to find. RS are committed to handcrafting the best possible boat here in the UK. 6. Will the proposed changes be good for the class? All successful one-designs have evolved. As a class we are committed to equal racing, and this can be achieved whilst developing a stronger and higher quality product. Modernised one-designs achieve greater longevity as classes.