NEW RS sailboat, RS Quest - developed in conjunction with Sea Cadets

by Pip Baily, RS Sailing 26 Feb 2015 16:15 GMT 26 February 2015

RS Sailing would like to introduce the development of their latest sailboat, the RS Quest. Designed by RS Sailing and Jo Richards, the RS Quest is a 14' 1" dinghy developed in conjunction with Sea Cadets.

RS Sailing have been aware of a potential opportunity to get more people afloat through organisations such as Sea Cadets and together they are doing just that. The RS Quest, can be seated between the RS Feva and RS Vision within the RS range. Current sailboats at Sea Cadets are used for both racing and training. Previously a period of time over the winter has had to be set aside for upkeep, so they are now looking for a boat requiring less maintenance and providing more versatility across all levels of sailing.

RS Sailing and Sea Cadets have teamed up to develop the boat to entirely suit the needs of such versatile programmes. RS Sailing partnered with Sea Cadets to offer 14,000 young people across the UK the chance to get out on the water, and Sea Cadets were looking for a brand new boat based on young people's needs and custom. The RS Quest is built perfectly for training purposes.

The RS Quest has been developed based on the following requirements from Sea Cadets:

To have a capacity of four people, enabling the introduction of basic sailing techniques with both students and an instructor on board
To be a versatile dinghy that can easily cater for a whole range of sailing courses, from 'Learn to Sail' to 'Racing' and 'Advanced Techniques'
To be light enough in weight that youth sailors can manoeuvre the boat with confidence and ease on and off the water
To have simple and effective control lines to meet beginner needs right through to advanced sailing techniques
To offer both a asymmetric and symmetric spinnaker for versatile use in enclosed waters
To include additional storage space for longer journeys
To offer light sheet load with approximately 11m2 in the main and jib sail area, putting a focus on enjoyment for youth sailors
To be easily reefed
To have the ability to be easily recovered from capsizes
To include adjustable toe straps for the varying size of sailors

The RS Quest has already undergone intense testing with the first prototype having been tested by a range of sailors over the past couple of weeks. In true RS development fashion, styling has not gone amiss. Features such as a pivoting mast and the ability to be set up for both symmetric and asymmetric spinnaker sailing are just two features that have been included, and demonstrate RS to be once again leading the way in design and development.

Features of the RS Quest include a self-draining cockpit, and a super stable hull to give maximum security and feel ultra safe. The feel of the boat is considerably larger than its size with a large cockpit for up to four people, great for training and family. The RS Quest has been designed for maximum strength in all high load areas of the deck and hull. The rig can be set up for both symmetric and asymmetric sailing – perfect for confined sailing locations and for conducting relevant spinnaker courses. The hull offers plenty of dry storage and removable thwarts and seating, as well as adjustable toe straps for versatile use.

The rig is a two-part aluminium mast, with a sealed top mast for buoyancy aiding recovery and reducing inversion. To aid the rigging process, the mast foot is on a pivot, making it easier and safer for one person to rig. Externally running halyards make for easier use and hassle free replacement as well as control lines on the boom designed for simplicity. The square head main has buoyancy in the top of the sail drastically slowing down the time it takes to invert, taking into account the varied ability of its potential sailors. Reefing on both the Dacron main and the jib is in its simplest form: slab reefing on the mainsail and roller reefing for the jib.

The RS Quest foils features a GRP pivoting centreboard and aluminium rudder blade. A casted rudder stock with a lock on the tiller for holding the rudder up and down is combined with a protective mechanism that will release on contact with the ground.

Alex Newton-Southon, Managing Director, Operations and Technical of RS Sailing commented; "We are extremely privileged and excited to be working on this project with the Sea Cadets. It's a new area of the market we are yet to explore and hope to provide sailing to lots more youngsters in the future with this development."

Whether at sea or on land, Sea Cadets offers young people between 10 and 18 an environment where they can find new confidence and inspiration, through nautical adventure. Across the UK 14,000 young people are challenging themselves and learning new skills based on the customs and traditions of the Royal Navy to give them the best possible head start in life. Visit www.sea-cadets.org

The RS Sales Team will be on hand at the RYA Suzuki Dinghy Show this weekend to answer any questions surrounding the RS Quest.