New RS100 development project

RS Racing launch prototype hiking single-handed class with asymmetric - the RS100 © LDC - RS Sailing

RS Racing launch prototype hiking single-handed class with asymmetric - the RS100 © LDC - RS Sailing

RS Racing launch prototype hiking single-handed class with asymmetric - the RS100 © LDC - RS Sailing

RS Racing has just launched the first prototype of a new hiking single-handed class with asymmetric spinnaker, which looks set to become the much anticipated RS100.

It is around ten years now since spinnakers first appeared on single-handed dinghies and the appeal has quickly grown. The first mainstream hiking class was the RS Vareo which set out to offer versatility of use at a reasonable price, and this continues to be a steadily growing RS class. Top end boats like the MPS and RS700 are great if you have the time to practice and the type of water that suits faster skiffs, but there has been significant discussion on forums and around sailing club bars for the last couple of years about the gap in the market for a performance orientated hiking / asymmetric boat.

The RS100 will have epoxy construction, a carbon mast and an easily driven hull. The aim is to create a responsive design that will appeal to all good single-handed sailors – giving an achievable challenge and a boat that is suited to most club waters as well as championship courses. The design has been evolved over nearly a year to prototype stage by RS’s in-house development team and Paul Handley, designer of the immensely successful smaller boats in the RS line-up. The prototype has been made in a CNC milled “temporary” mould, enabling hulls to be built using production systems – with resulting sailing development taking place on boats that feel like the real thing and construction testing happening in parallel.

Current development specification:

Length: 4300mm
Beam: 1830mm
Mainsail area: TBA
Asymmetric spinnaker area: TBA
Hull construction: Epoxy GRP foam sandwich
Foils: Pivoting centreboard / rudder - Epoxy
Mast: Carbon composite

RS now has active dealers in over twenty countries around the world and the RS100 will be launched internationally in partnership with this network. Many of these dealers will visit the UK within the next few weeks to sail the prototypes and give feedback from a truly international perspective. The class will build globally from the outset and the first world championship will be scheduled in only the second year of it’s life!

Sailing trials began just last week and RS are also keen to gain feedback from a wide range of sailors before the next round of the development process. If you are truly interested in racing this type of performance single-hander then RS would love to offer you an early opportunity to sail the first RS100 prototype and give your input. Two days of public testing are scheduled for 7th and 8th July at Hayling Island SC. You need to register with RS beforehand, so that numbers can be monitored. Please email Nick Peters - to book your slot.

Testing and development will continue throughout 2009 and if all goes to plan then production is due to start in time for early 2010 deliveries and the worldwide boat show launch season in the New Year. Target price in the UK is under £7000 including VAT, subject of course to final specification. The first 100 boats will be offered at a very special price and this offer will close before production starts!

For further information on the RS100, please contact:
Nick Peters – – 023 8024 6331
Charlie Merchant – – 023 8024 6333

You can follow the RS100 development process at www.RSsailing.com on the RS100 pages.