Racing dinghies
A selection of racing dinghies designed to deliver performance, speed and real excitement, with options for every kind of sailor and racer.
RS Aero
The RS Aero is today's best-selling modern single-hander, and at Proasail.com we understand why: RS Sailing rates it as the most technically advanced boat in its sector, and on the water it pairs a lively feel with straightforward handling.Weight is the key. With a 33 kg hull, the RS Aero weighs roughly the same as an Optimist, and that changes everything: it goes on the roof rack, rigs and launches with ease, and once afloat the feel is addictive. There is a great deal of design work behind it, but the result is a sailing dinghy that delivers the thrill of single-handed racing without the hassle.With four rig sizes (RS Aero 5, 6, 7 and 9), youth sailors, women and men each sail with the sail that suits their weight. The RS Aero is already an international class and its fleet is growing fast among the most competitive racers. A real phenomenon: try one.
RS 100
The RS 100 is the single-handed asymmetric that at Proasail.com we recommend to racers looking for a demanding, rewarding sailing dinghy sailed by hiking, without a trapeze. Designed by Paul Handley, it combines an epoxy and glass fibre sandwich hull with carbon spars, and every detail is carefully finished. RS Sailing conceived it so that high performance would be within reach of many sailors, not just a few: with three mainsail sizes (7.4, 8.4 and 10.2 m²) there is a suitable rig for almost any sailor weight. The cockpit is designed for comfortable hiking in any conditions, at sea and on inland waters alike, and the boat responds sharply to every adjustment: a reward for anyone who enjoys a challenge.
RS 200
At Proasail.com we recommend the RS 200 to moderate-weight crews who want to race seriously without giving up the social side of dinghy sailing: couples, mixed crews, youth sailors and families all sail it in club racing, at championships and on the RS Racing Circuit. Designed by Phil Morrison, it was one of RS Sailing's first boats and remains one of the most popular two-person racing dinghies today. Its strict one-design rules have two welcome effects: the cost of racing stays under control and races are decided by very small margins. On the start line you will find top-level racers alongside people sailing their first ever race, a mix found in few other classes, and afterwards everyone shares the RS community atmosphere.
RS 400
The RS 400 is the boat that put RS Sailing on the map and, from day one, a modern classic of dinghy sailing. At Proasail.com we recommend it to medium- and heavier-weight crews, often mixed, who want a two-person racing dinghy with an asymmetric and no trapeze: its powerful rig and high-volume hull are made for them. Designed by Phil Morrison, it is fast, well-mannered and carefully built, and its standard of racing keeps attracting top sailors. In the clubs and on the RS Racing Circuit it offers first-rate one-design racing, and the class has established itself as one of the most successful in modern dinghy sailing, with very active communities in the clubs and in the class itself. At Proasail.com we know the RS 400 inside out and will help you choose your boat and its equipment.
RS 500
If you are looking for a fast, exciting skiff-style two-person sailing dinghy with a single trapeze, at Proasail.com we recommend the RS 500: behind it stands a first-rate European racing circuit and an enviable social scene. Every year the RS 500 World Championship is held at a spectacular venue; the class, international and infectiously popular, keeps growing. Designed by Phil Morrison, it offers asymmetric skiff performance, one-design racing and an age range that runs from youth sailors to adults. And best of all: neither the cost nor the experience required is as high as you might expect. At Proasail.com we sum it up like this: plenty of sailing, and the RS community's approach to racing.
RS 700
At Proasail.com we suggest the RS 700 to the racer who wants a top-level single-handed skiff: trapeze, asymmetric spinnaker and carbon composite mast in a sailing dinghy made for racing. Its performance equalisation system, with adjustable-width racks and corrector weights, evens out the chances of sailors of different weights: the light racer can win just as well as the heavy one. RS Sailing has refined the boat's systems so that it is manageable and competitive on the RS racing circuits. It is not a boat for everyone: it calls for the right attitude. Even so, the class has a loyal following, and the reasons are plain to see.
RS 800
At Proasail.com we see the RS 800 as the twin-trapeze skiff many racers aspire to: the natural step both for those coming out of youth dinghy sailing and for those moving up from slower classes. It is a class open to everyone: women's, men's and mixed crews race the RS 800, young and not so young. Weight is the key: with a sailing dinghy this light and so little hull drag, you do not need a huge rig to reach high speeds. That is why the sheet loads are manageable for men and women alike, and the performance equalisation system explains why mixed crews are regulars on the podiums of the RS racing circuit. And around the class there are friends, parties and an engaging social scene around the racing.