Thanks for the info, all!

PF - Thanks, yes. I am fully aware that the performance differences
are very small and pilot decisions make a big impact. :-) I did auto-
racing before flying, and the same holds true in that arena (I got the
biggest kick out of beating Mustangs and Porsches with my cheap little
Mazda Miata on twisty racetracks). But I'm looking to the future with
this purchase. Whatever I buy I will end up owning for 15-25 years,
and I need to be able to "grow into it". I did reasonably well at my
first Nats and I don't think a better glider would have changed the
standings; but it might be the difference-maker in 3-7 years, if I
keep working to improve my skills.

Bruce - The last 15+ years of sailplane development have shown that
for XC and racing, "max L/D" (at a single - usually slow - speed) is
not nearly as important as holding a "good" L/D into the higher speed-
ranges (70-85kts as a sweet-spot? Based on my experience, performance
differences at 95+ knots don't seem to be a huge factor as not a whole
lot of time is spent cruising up at those speeds - though I'd be happy
to hear that confirmed from the veterans, given my own limited contest
experience).

Sean - I sincerely appreciate the tips. The calculation I have to make
is whether the additional cost of an old V2c is "worth it" compared to
a newer '27. Hours on the airframe might not be hugely different
between the ships I buy; but the V2c is likely to have been
manufactured 5-12 years before a '27. Even when a ship ain't flying,
the age does affect it so its something to consider. A '27 is likely
to be cheaper, but (of course) only has 15m tips. The V2c is older and
likely more-expensive, but the 18m tips are tempting...

Like all aircraft purchases, it all comes back to the "mission". I
want to race at a national level; but due to work commitments I'm
limited to races in the western US. That means buying a ship which can
be reasonably competitive in 2 or 3 classes, so I can hit 1 Nats per
year. The '27 was my main target because its a top-dog in 15m class,
OK in Sports, and *might* be able to hold its own in 18m class at
strong sites where high wing-loading offsets the reduced wingspan. The
V2c looks like its not as strong in 15m class, but perhaps better in
18m than the '27? Hard to know if that tradeoff is worth it...

Thanks again,

--Noel