RS 21

Overall design goals

• Ownership, whether by a club or a group of co-owners, had to be simple and affordable: that was the design's starting point
• Sailing as a team: fast, balanced and, above all, fun
• Equal, close racing ahead of maximum performance
• Robust and easy to maintain, so the fleet runs efficiently
• Sustainability built in from design and construction

Hull

• Environmentally responsible construction: bio-based resins and recycled-material cores.
• Contemporary lines, with the appeal of the boats of its era
• Waterline length taken to the maximum
• RS Sailing preferred a balanced rocker (the fore-and-aft curve of the bottom) to an extreme hull: the RS 21 performs well in light and strong winds alike, even if it does not reach the top speed of a design optimised for one end of the range.
• When the boat heels, the pronounced chines add form stability; they also deflect the water for a drier ride.

Foils

• Lifting bulb keel, encapsulated in a GRP (glass-reinforced polyester) skin
• Removable internal davit for hoisting the keel
• Removable transom-hung composite rudder
• Tiller extension

Deck

• Big open cockpit, with comfortable room for four crew or more
• Open transom, through which water drains quickly
• If need be, two people can sail the boat thanks to the deck layout and systems
• Few obstacles on deck and, therefore, fewer knocks.
• Sails and the rest of the gear travel inside the boat: a large central hatch gives access to the stowage and makes handling the gear easier
• Centre mainsheet, within reach of helm and crew alike
• Kick bars that give the whole crew ergonomic, secure positions
• The no-hiking rule makes racing more pleasant, encourages communication aboard and allows more crew members to contribute to racing strategy
• Deck designed for stacking one hull on top of another: more efficient transport to regattas and a better environmental footprint

Rig

• Less weight aloft thanks to the carbon composite mast, which improves the boat's handling
• With so little weight and a hinged mast foot, it is stepped by hand.
• The mast splits into two sections that fit inside the boat itself: convenient for transport and winter storage.
• Durable aluminium alloy boom
• The gennaker's tack is attached to a carbon composite bowsprit
• Quick to rig: from the trailer to ready to launch in 20 minutes
• Two sail sets to choose from: Club, of durable construction, or Race, with a bigger gennaker
• In the Club specification, the mainsail has a simple single-line slab reef
• The jib hanks onto the forestay, a simple, fuss-free system

Sail handling

• Simple layout and easily identified controls, so the crew gets familiar quickly
• Large gennaker bag for efficient hoists and drops

Electric propulsion system (optional)

• Hull and deck were designed around the E-Propulsion electric motor, which is fully integrated
• It sits almost hidden behind the keel, beneath the mainsheet system
• Under sail, the motor leg lifts and a fairing plate closes the opening in the hull
• Central speed control unit and removable, rechargeable battery

Electronics / Innovative community

• Data logger fitted as standard, able to send the information online to a remote server
• Through that system, owners, crews and participants communicate
• It includes calendar management and a crew pool
• Optional speed and depth sounder electronics, read on your phone.

Options

• As an option a symmetric spinnaker with its gear can be fitted, although it is not needed for one-design racing
• The same goes for the Code 0 and its gear: available as an option, without being necessary in one-design racing
• Masthead wind indicator
• Keel winch
• Boat cover
• For keeping it ashore, a shore cradle that moves on wheels
• Trailer for transporting the boat by road
• Warps and fenders pack
• Complete anchor kit: anchor, chain, warp and its bag

● standard · ○ optional