New RS500 asymmetric dinghy for London Boat Show

by LDC / G New on 26 Nov 2005 LDC Racing Sailboats have produced a steady stream of new performance dinghies over the years, turning the company into a major force on the UK dinghy scene and at the same time hastening the end of the small builder of one design dinghies.

The many individual builders of such classes as the Enterprise, Fireball, GP14 etc., producing thousands of each class over the years, are now almost a memory. Only the exotic restricted classes and the few catering to the afficianados demand for real wood and varnish survive.

Meanwhile the driving force of LDC, Martin Wadhams and Nick Peters have found another niche to fill - one of their own making. Following on from their ground breaking asymmetric rigged RS400 and then the RS200, they swept into the trapeze single-hander market with the RS600 and then the asymmetric RS700, pausing to produce the everyman’s 49er, the RS800. And somewhere in there was the quirky RS300. What you might not have noticed in this march through the dinghy design book is the Gap - what happened to RS500?

Well, now we know, apparently the gap in the RS model numbers was no accident. The RS500 has been planned for years and it is now in development. Following extensive consultation with sailors, international dealers and designers, LDC Racing Sailboats have built a prototype and are busy testing the boat in the hands of a range of crews across the full wind spectrum.

So, where will the RS500 fit into an already crowded market? LDC’s Nick Peters explained: 'We identified a significant gap for a very manageable yet exciting, single trapeze boat with an asymmetric spinnaker - small enough to cater for youngsters graduating out of boats such as the Feva, but with sufficient power and volume for teams of up to 145kg to race competitively. A boat that will transcend the usual break point in racing dinghies at age 19 because it is designed to appeal to adults as well - for racing or simply for a great blast.'

He summed up the target market for the boat as follows:

Young racing sailors - post Feva / Mirror but outside elite youth squad group >115kg
Adult racing sailors - club and regatta circuit sailors <145kg
Young or old - sport / recreational sailing
Institutions - sport sailing / performance training

Perhaps the biggest surprise in the current boat launch climate is the choice of GRP as the material for the RS500. 'Polyethylene is absolutely great for smaller racing boats and it is good for all-rounders where the durability scores, hence why we chose it for the Feva and Vision. But despite many claims, the material cannot (yet anyway) offer the stiffness to weight ratio essential for the kind of feel and performance the 500 will deliver.'

'Yes, polyethylene is less hassle to manufacture, but we have not lost our original passion to offer the best boat in each of their sectors - truly The Sailor’s Choice. So, the RS500 will be built in GRP and we’ve designed it systematically for economical production. The price will surprise everyone.' Early reports are apparently extremely encouraging. 'Nearly as stable as a Feva, approaching the performance of a Fireball or 470, loads of fun because you can push it all day long.'

Managing director Martin Wadham explained that the success of the Feva had put them in close touch with the young sailing market and they wanted to capitalise on that enthusiasm when the time came for them to move on. A new boat that provided a genuine alternative to the established 420/470 route is their answer.

The 14ft-6in boat allows the move up to a new design with trapeze and asymmetric spinnaker in the classic RS one-package deal. Slightly smaller than the RS400 and narrower, but with the power of the trapeze and the asymmetric to add the fun factor.

Not directly targeting any existing class but providing something just that bit different. Martin thinks the existing traditional spinnaker types will stay with their established class, while the youngster trading up or the uncommitted will be looking for a modern take on the middle sized boat.

LDC has ridden a pretty steady wave, establishing their reputation with the RS400 and 200 that carried them through the RS300 and single trapeze 800 wobbles. Recently a brace of successful smaller family/fun classes and now into the keelboat area with a modern day boat design the Elite. So will this new RS hit the racing circuit or is it destined to slip quietly into the handicap fleets?

Its been a while since a new dinghy racing class in the 'grown-up' area made an impact in the UK sailing clubs - I know one that is crying out for an injection of life in just that area - so have LDC got the timing and the product mix right again?

The prototype RS500 will be on the RS stand M1728 at the London Boat Show, hopefully they will be showing more than the photo they have released! Production should be on stream by early summer 2006.

Hint - LDC promise a special price - If the price for the early Elite purchasers is anything to go by you should get on the phone now, I'm sure Riki will do a deal.

Website: http://www.ldcracingsailboats.co.uk