I'll be joining the Phantom menace for the upcoming QLD raceboard titles, so my Exocet is feeling left out. If you've always wanted to know what it's like to skipper a nuclear aircraft carrier (or, in heavy chop, nuclear sub), this may be the closest you get. At the end of the weekend, if you like it, I may be prepared to part with my beloved D2 on quite reasonable terms.
If you don't know what I'm talking about, here's a link:
www.nzsailing.com/exocet-rs-d2-mindblowing-performance-click-view-to-see-the-video--xidp379163.html
OK, some caveats. This board needs a big powerful rig, which you'll need to supply. You're certainly welcome to try entering it into the 7.8 division, but you will find it tacks very slowly with a small sail.
The board is also quite fragile - no more so than other carbon race boards, but much more so than freeride boards. I'm not going to demand that you buy the board if you make a minor hole or two in an unplanned dismount (I've done it myself about 20 times), but if you catapult a lot you'll end up with an unsailable board in pretty short order, at least until we can patch it up.
Most of the raceboard regulars have seen this board in action many times, but a few words for those who haven't. The RS D2 is both easy to sail and highly competitive in light winds (two firsts and a second on the light wind day in the recent nationals), and easier to keep in the groove than the phantoms.
In heavy winds, it's a completely different story. If you like a challenge, this is the board for you, but you won't be winning any races. It's pretty much off the pace as soon as there's planing conditions for the majority of the race, and if you are just getting into competitive raceboarding, I would suggest you don't take this board out at all in heavy (20knots+) wind.
Best case - we have a light wind regatta (always on the cards at this time of year) and you win the championship! Expressions of interest via PM or on this thread.
Keep it Jamie... You will
Have the best of both worlds to chose from in future events.
As you say, if you get a regatta with light winds, you win, hands down.
You showed us this in the 2015 nationals. Flogged us all.
In saying that, you will also love your new phantom when it's windy...
Well, judging by the sound of crickets in this thread, I might have to keep it. Storing two of these beasts is a problem though.
You're right about the phantom in the breeze. Already I can see it's *much* easier in any kind of chop. But even if it's light this weekend I'll sail the phantom, just to see how it compares.
OK, you can all stop beating my door down. The D2 has gone to a good home. *sniff*
