On Tuesday, October 24, 2017 at 7:46:02 PM UTC-7, Matt Herron Jr. wrote:
I am looking for my next glider, and wanted a little advice from my friends on RAS. First a little background;

I have about 500 hrs on a Ventus C. I fly mostly in CA and NV in the Sierras. I am interested in 500K+ XC and some regional contests. I like to compete, but will never take the risks necessary to be really competitive.

My list of wants (not requirements) include; Flaps, auto hook-up, roomy safety cockpit, easy to rig and trailer, water in the wings and tail?, 15m and possibly 18m for fun, high performance, price around $70K +/- $10K

Current candidates in no particular order include:

Lak 17a
ASW 27/27b
Ventus 2CX
DG 800 or 808s
HPH 304 CZ
LS-10?

Recommendations?

Thanks in advance,

Matt H

I quite liked the Ventus C/17.6. Other than getting rid of the pesky and fragile side-hinge canopy, not sure you'd be doing much better with some on your list.
The V2Cx and CxA (serial # 82 and higher), ASW27 and 27B would be the best step up in performance.
You didn't list JS1. The A and B models are not as expensive (or refined) as a C with just 18m tips, but they're just as nice to fly.
Note that the tail tank was an option not everyone took in the ASW27B, and unavailable in the "A".
Jim