R Speculation

Rig - launch - sail - recover - derig seems to work ok on most boats / most conditions.

Actually I’m happy to spill what beans we have so far.

As you’ve heard, we’re looking closely at a new single hander concept – working with Jo Richards.

Think similar size to a Laser.
The key feature that sets it apart and drives everything else is extraordinarily light weight – genuinely similar weight to an Optimist.

That is achieved by epoxy (just maybe vinylester – but probably not) sandwich construction - some carbon in a few specific high load areas – low surface area - simplicity.

Durability comparable to our other epoxy sandwich boats (800, 100, etc) which are considered very good.

Unstayed carbon mast and boom – ultra simple round tubes (currently with glued on track / halyard).

Dacron sail so far seems best option to achieve necessary shape adjustment on a bendy, de-powerable ,rig – although not glamorous.

Almost certainly 3 sail sizes (different lower masts) from post Oppy / Tera youngsters - through ladies / smaller guys – to bigger bloke. No ground breaking innovation there.....

The utra-low weight means even the smallest sail gives a higher sail area : weight ratio than a full rig Laser.

Cost is a major factor in all design considerations – but a long way from being confident to give you a number.   

Hull shape is not extreme – no harder to sail than the single handers you’d instinctively compare it to.

It’s the responsiveness from the light weight that you have to experience to fully appreciate. It also makes the boat pretty slippery, especially in breeze – but of course constrained by length etc upwind and in lighter winds. The acceleration also works for you in strong winds – takes off rather loading up in gusts.

Pulling it up the ramp on an alloy trolley is not a million miles from pulling up an empty RS400 trolley.

The deck is designed so the boats can nest together with just a bit of “carpet” in between and a strap over the top – 2 on a car roof – 3 on a standard road trailer – 33 in a 40’ shipping container.

So there you have it. I love the idea of a pseudo clandestine weekend planned to create brand building coverage – but the reality is Alex and Riki have an annual lads weekend in Salcombe every autumn with a few long standing RS sailing mates; sailing, drinking beer, talking boats and girls (their lovely wives, of course) – and this year as this single hander concept is a hot topic for evaluation, what better opportunity than to take it along and get their opinions? Bit of a surprise to find a Solo open – but we know it is not practical to keep boat development secret.   

Guess you'll soon see photos - the boats are to test the concepts, final styling would evolve.

We haven’t pressed the “do it” button yet – but given testing and response so far, fingers are hovering.

Simple and efficient sounds very interesting Martin... Looking forward to hearing more.

Here press this.


Light is exactly what us old people want. In the absence of youth or crew to boot about into doing all that hod carrying stuff.

Originally posted by iGRF Come on, somebody must have snapped it with a phone, although it's beginning to sound weird, so what have we got?

If its the one I think it is I've seen photos from last year, it really doesn't look especially radical. That was a lot of development ago though, its probably different now from the pics I saw. And no, I can't show you the pics, they were sent to me on condition I didn't pass them on, and as they're nearly a year out of date probably not much point anyway.

I especially like the info that, after all the stuff about how having it on the water at the same time of the Solo Open meeting must be a stunt or something it actually turns out to be our old favourite friend Mr Cockup... Actually from what I hear its been frequently visible for over a year in an area which is bounded by a large island to the south, but I guess just another boat...

I wouldn't be at all suprised if RS have a few more prototypes in quiet development about the place, some of which may come to something and some won't, although I haven't actually heard of any.

Edited by JimC - 23 Oct 13 at 4:00pm