These pages are primarily aimed at telling you more about the RS800 fleet at Itchenor and how to contact us if you're interested in joining or just finding out more about us. If you are already a member at Itchenor and part of the RS800 fleet you should be on the email distribution list. If you aren’t and would like to be added then please contact the class captain, Nick Gardner. If you're a non-RS800 member at Itchenor, or a newcomer, and would like to find out more about the RS800s again contact Nick.
The RS800, to quote LDC who manufacture it, offers "ultimate sailing - remarkable ease. The RS800 is a fantastic skiff that will enable thousands of sailors, men and women, to experience the thrill of real high performance sailing" - and its true - see the picture above. (which is Oli and Anna from Itchenor in their 800 at Garda in 2008). World speed record for an 800 is (apparently) 28 knots! They are (relatively) cheap boats given the performance they offer, at around £11,000 new all up, less if you can find a good offer from LDC, and much less second hand. They are not expensive to sail for a season - requiring minimal maintenance other than a hosing off after each sail and replacement of running gear from time to time. Its a one design class and the rules are pretty tight on what changes are allowed so no serious modification costs can arise. They are also equalised with adjustable racks so light helm/crews just put the racks out further which means that weight/strength isn't a significant competitive advantage.
If you don't know Itchenor or Chichester Harbour come down and take a look. The boats live on a staging with a slipway straight into the water, where you can launch at any stage of the tide. The harbour offers sailing in a huge area, relatively sheltered (i.e. with flat water) and good wind conditions. Sailing can be challenging at times with strong tidal flows (though with a reasonable breeze in an 800 that does not usually matter that much) and sandbanks especially at low water (we recommend not using trial and error to find where these are, especially at speed!). There is no commercial traffic in the harbour, its an area of outstanding natural beauty and at its best its one of the most beautiful places to sail. And only around two and a half hours from London!
We would really like another 2 or 3 boats in the class so if you want to know more please do come and see us. As a general rule we tend to have reasonably settled helm/crew combinations as it does require a certain amount of practice to work as a team to sail an 800 – however if you are interested in crewing and preferably have some experience of crewing an asymmetric dinghy there are opportunities from time to time - so again let us know.
If you would like more information or just a chat drop an e mail to Nick Gardner who is the class captain - Please click here. We'd love to see you.
