Please select your home edition
Edition
Craftinsure 2023 LEADERBOARD

Christmas Greetings from Sailing Raceboats and Rooster Australia

by Richard Furneaux 22 Dec 2021 07:30 GMT
Christmas Greetings © Sailing Raceboats

Merry Christmas to all and a safe, prosperous New Year, Tom, Rhett and Richard.

The positives:

It has been an incredible ride since the outbreak of Covid-19. Sailing was knocked for six as sailing was off the agenda for months on end.

At the start things went abysmally quiet for us with very little in the way of sales or enquiries for boats or sailing clothing.

However things started to pick up from about July 2020 and strong demand has continued ever since. We are currently busier than we have ever been. So many, many thanks to all our customers both new and returning.

A good example of this growth is the RS Aero. There are just over two hundred sailing around Australia but over one hundred of these boats have been acquired since July 2020.

Likewise with the RS Quest where there has been seventy boats sold since July 2020 to add to the one hundred plus already being sailed in Australia.

This reflects on the evidence we are seeing that sailing clubs are seeing rapid growth in memberships and there is an appetite for local, fun and family friendly sailing.

The negative:

As I am sure most people are aware, international container shipping has been an ongoing problem for all businesses over the last eighteen months.

First of all, getting hold of a container was a big issue followed by the cost of shipping to Australia more than doubling.

With seven containers on the water with the majority of boats pre sold we are having to carry the additional shipping costs. However it will come as no surprise that our new price lists for 2022 will contain some significant increases across most of the RS Classes.

The good news is we will be holding the existing pricing for the Aero, Quest and Zest.

This will hopefully enable the tremendous growth of these classes to continue.

Other news:

Apart from the previously mentioned growth in the RS Aero and RS Quests we have seen a steady demand for the RS Zest as a training boat and fun off the beach boat.

The Zests offer tremendous value for money as they can be sailed two or three up with youngsters or as a single hander with just the main. Simple reefing round the mast means training on the water can still take place even if the day is blustery.

The World Wide Sailor (training Optimist) is also growing in numbers, proving very popular with the younger sailors because of their vibrant colours, self draining feature and all round fun boat.

It is worth repeating that Australian Sailing are using them in both Victoria and Darwin for delivering Tackers programs. They are available with plain white sails or the striped Tackers sails.

From the last shipment that came in many have been sold, so if your club is interested in adding them to your training fleet send us an email at .

The Fleet Builder discount and extended, interest free payment plan make it a great time to invest in your youth training programs.

All the details on the boat can be found on our website here. Also check out the VIDEO:

Of course we have a fully stocked online shop< for all your needs with delivery usually available within a couple of days, be it a complete boat of spare part.

Rooster News

The Rooster operation continues to grow with yearly sales steadily increasing.

The online store has a very good returns policy allied to the sizing charts available that means there is no risk in buying online.

Once again the products that top the sales charts are the sailing tops, all three types - pro lite, pro and classic. Boots and gloves also sell well as do the hiking pants, both pro and classic.

The last newsletter saw Rhett Gowans give a rundown on the Rooster gear he wears and the benefits. This time he turned to Richard, an OK dinghy sailor of no repute, with a simple question;

Rhett: "Richard, you have had your Rooster Classic Hikers for nearly nine years and you say they are showing no sign of wearing out. To what do you attribute this amazing longevity?"

Richard: "I don't hike."

As always Rooster are active in supporting clubs and classes where we can, particularly in regards to junior sailing. If you think we can help you email us at

RS Quest News

The 92nd Stonehaven Cup is about to get under way early in the New Year, hosted by the Royal Melbourne Yacht Squadron.

With the spread of the RS Quests the event is attracting entries from more and more clubs. All the details here www.rmys.com.au/stonehaven-cup-2022

New Customers of note;

The Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron and the South of Perth Yacht Club have both added six RS Quests to their training fleets.

Sailing Raceboats are also delighted to announce that the Royal Australian Navy have taken the RS Quest on board for sail training and recreational use. Many boats have already been delivered around the country, with more on the way.

We are even more delighted that this joint venture has upset the French in no way at all.

RS Aero News

With events now being able to be run in various states it was great to see the RS Aeros in and amongst it. Not to be outdone the WA fleet also made a showing at the Busselton Regatta.

The Victorian fleet are busy getting active with a Travellers Series set up for the new year.

Plus, the biggest news - The RS Aero National Championships are scheduled for January 13th-16th at the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club in NSW. All the details and entry can be found here, www.rsaeroaus.org.au

The final deep and meaningful words come, as usual, from Tom, our every busy and always cheerful CEO.

"I don't want to talk about the cricket."

Related Articles

21st Sandberg PalmaVela Day 1
Magic Carpet E wins two from two on her debut The Maxi class officially opened racing today at the 21st Sandberg PalmaVela, completing two W/L races in which the newest elite 100-footer, Magic Carpet E, dominated with two clear victories in what was its first-ever races. Posted today at 6:36 pm
52 SUPER SERIES Saint-Tropez Cup Day 2
Gladiator back on winning form Disappointed to miss out on winning the 2024 circuit title after coming into the last event of the season with a solid points lead, Tony Langley's world champions Gladiator crew started their assault on the 2025 title on the best possible footing. Posted today at 6:26 pm
Northamptonshire Youth Series preview
It's just over a week to go to the first of this year's events It's just over a week to go to the first of this year's events. We're starting off at the beautiful Middle Nene Sailing Club. It really is a spectacular gem of a sailing club tucked alongside the River Nene. Posted today at 6:25 pm
Salcombe Gin Spring Regatta at Parkstone
The fleet waited patiently for wind to arrive The run up to the weekend of the Salcombe Gin Spring Regatta, organised by Parkstone Yacht Club, was not looking promising, with very light winds forecast. The fleet of 14 yachts across 3 classes were greeted with zero wind in Poole Harbour. Posted today at 4:17 pm
Easter Regatta at Netley Sailing Club
The club was buzzing with energy as campers filled the grounds and the refurbished bar opened Netley Sailing Club was buzzing with energy as campers filled the grounds and the refurbished bar for the opening night of the Easter Regatta. Posted today at 3:28 pm
Transat Paprec Day 12
Charlotte Yven & Hugo Dhallenne: "Now, it's all in the mind too!" He checked in mid-morning, and you could hear the joy in his voice — Hugo Dhallenne is doing what he loves most: racing at sea. He's at the front of the fleet in the Transat Paprec and fully enjoying this adventure alongside Charlotte Yven. Posted today at 2:41 pm
Blackwater SC cadet training weekend
Sunshine, sailing and ice-cream for 70 sailors The Blackwater Sailing Club proudly hosted an inspiring, busy and successful Cadet Training Weekend 26-27 April welcoming more than 70 enthusiastic young sailors from aged 8 to 18 for two days of skill-building, fun and adventure on the water. Posted today at 2:39 pm
Brain injury survivor to return to sailing
In support of Headway, the charity which helped him British sailor Robin Elsey-Webb is making a powerful return to offshore racing this year with the launch of Kernow Ocean Racing/ BlackDog Collaboration. Posted today at 1:23 pm
Final call for a long weekend
Place orders today before 15:30 to get delivery in time to go sailing Your time on the water is precious, and the last thing you want is to be kept away from sailing because you're waiting on new kit. In stock orders placed 1 May, before 15:30 with next day delivery will be shipped in time for the bank holiday weekend. Posted today at 12:15 pm
International 14 Easter Tray at Itchenor
Three days of varied conditions as teams prepare for the Prince of Wales Cup in Weymouth The traditional season opener of the 14 calendar is the Easter Tray. Three days of varied conditions saw a total of 14 boats launch. For some this was the first outing since the worlds in Garda, others had been out training for three weekends already. Posted today at 12:07 pm