My next ship...

Any DG drivers want to chime in?

I was impressed with the polar in that with 15m config, it achieves 45:1 at a very high speed; 110kph, and with 18m tips, 50:1 at 116kph. Fast! But does that mean the polar hurts the sink rate thermaling?

What DG glider are you talking about? I assumed you were looking for a used glider.... here appears to be only 5 non-motorglider DG-80x in the USA and I would be surprised if many of those had 15m tips. Why do you care about 15m, if you want a 18m glider buy one of those. A DG-80x would be nowhere near top of my list compared to modern 18m gliders, ASG29, JS1 or V3. What is your budget? Again if you want a 15m glider... ASW27. Lots of them around find a beautiful one.

Sorry I missed the budget in the first post. For $70-$80k forget 18m and get the very best ASW27 you can find/afford.

Idaflieg measurements show the DG800 18m winglet at 45:1. There will be variations between serial numbers, but not 5 points.
My Ventus cM 17.6 was measured by Idaflieg with 47:1, and my buddy flying a 800 kept loosing out on me during long glides with the same wing loading.

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

Since you already have a Ventus, the 2bx or 2cx would be obvious choices. The latter might be above your price point, but the 2bx probably not. I like mine!

Mike

On Wednesday, October 25, 2017 at 11:46:44 AM UTC-7, Mike the Strike wrote:
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

Since you already have a Ventus, the 2bx or 2cx would be obvious choices. The latter might be above your price point, but the 2bx probably not. I like mine!

Mike

Matt, you need to forget about all that short span stuff. What you really want is a vintage Nimbus 3. I have just the one you need at only half your budget. You can invest the rest of the money in a gym membership and come out ahead :-)

Craig
7Q

On Wednesday, October 25, 2017 at 2:15:38 PM UTC-5, Craig Funston wrote:

Matt, you need to forget about all that short span stuff. What you really want is a vintage Nimbus 3. I have just the one you need at only half your budget. You can invest the rest of the money in a gym membership and come out ahead :-)

Craig
7Q

And, what Craig has offered up is just a "bigger Ventus". So you will be right at home with the handling. :-)

Steve Leonard
VJS

On Wednesday, 25 October 2017 05:46:02 UTC+3, 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

Most glider pilots fly for fun so forget 15m gliders and go for 18m V2CX or LS10 if budget allows. They perform noticeably better than rest of the group in every possible weather scenario. Others are step down or sideways performance-wise, though probably nicer to fly than old Ventus. (304 seriously?)

On Wednesday, October 25, 2017 at 12:37:06 PM UTC-7, krasw wrote:
On Wednesday, 25 October 2017 05:46:02 UTC+3, 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

Most glider pilots fly for fun so forget 15m gliders and go for 18m V2CX or LS10 if budget allows. They perform noticeably better than rest of the group in every possible weather scenario. Others are step down or sideways performance-wise, though probably nicer to fly than old Ventus. (304 seriously?)

I heard there were very few LS-10s around, but I would put that on my list for sure. Not sure about price though.

Where Matt flies, a '27 is definitely the best choice. With a '27 you get high wing loading and great performance for the money. You get absolute competitiveness in 15 class. Most importantly, you can land a 15m ship on many desert strips where you cannot safely land an 18m ship. 18 meter and open class ships are for places where farm fields are the most common landout -- not the case in northern NV.