Concept RS Zest specification The RS Zest is a brand new compact boat Twenty years of experience in the design, that delivers more crew space and practical, production and usage of boats in this sector Designer Jo Richards and RS enjoyable features than older rivals. It lead to a long list of developments that Length 3.59m 11’ 9” replaces the RS Quba, has been developed would, together, redefine the practical usage Beam 1.47m 4’ 10” by Jo Richards (who designed the Pico, over – offering more efficiency for operators and construction Comptec PE3 rotomoulded polyethylene 20 years ago) in conjunction with RS Sailing more unintimidating fun for sailors. and brings a much-anticipated generation- Mainsail Dacron reefable 5.7m2 59ft2 step for training centres and families. The opportunity to comprehensively move Jib (optional) Dacron 1.2m2 12.5ft2 the game forward led us to replace our 2-part aluminium alloy – foam filled popular RS Quba model with an entirely new Boom Aluminium alloy boat that we believe renders existing rivals blade Polypropylene obsolete. Rudder stock Moulded glass/nylon – lift & lock system extension Aluminium alloy This is a significant claim – read on for a Pivoting – Polypropylene design explanation to justify our pride and confidence! Optional rowing kit, mast float, wind indicator, top cover, mast/rolled sock cover, launching trolley. “...An instructor and two youngsters, or parent and two kids works well. This feature increases the scope and value of the boat...”

Carrying capacity & stability space Boats in this sector are commonly sailed by Space in the forward section of the cockpit two, particularly in training use, but must is significantly greater than other models, be usable by one person – youth or adult. making the boat genuinely comfortable The capability to carry a helmsman plus two for two and even practical with three. An young crew (three sailors in total) would be instructor and two youngsters, or parent and a significant benefit for many centres and two kids works well. This feature increases families – leading to more cost-efficient the scope and value of the boat. ratios, so this has been a key goal for the Crews deserve comfortable sailing and RS Zest. the RS Zest’s cockpit design offers 3-stage seating as confidence builds. Existing models in this size range are cramped for the crew and often sail with a 1. Centre thwart – a new feature in a boat in -down attitude. The volume of the RS this sector, giving inboard security Zest hull has been increased, with the centre 2. Intermediate side-seats – inspire of buoyancy further forward to support confidence during training higher crew weight and give improved 3. Comfortable side-decks – for more handling when fully loaded. experienced crews and hiking in strong winds Part of the volume increase has been achieved through waterline beam which The RS Zest design also incorporates a also noticeably increases the stability to an clear foredeck area. Small sailors simply find it exceptional level for a boat of this size. fun to sit forward, maybe with toes in the water – and that’s what keeps them wanting more!

2 Durability Easy-reach grab handles are moulded into The pivoting centerboard (as opposed to a the cockpit sides to assist re-boarding the in comparable models) allows boat from the sides quickly after capsize. The the boat to be used in shallow water and has also been designed to facilitate largely removes risk of damage through safe boarding over the , with scallops grounding during launch and recovery. The either side of the rudder, a wide, comfortable spine created through the section of the top surface and no mainsheet bridle in the way. cockpit adds stiffness and strength to the structure to extend the life of the hull. Specific, strong towing points are built into the bow and stern (clear of the rudder) to Deep rails on the hull contribute to secure facilitate easy attachment and towing lines tracking (lack of skittishness) and protect the of boats. hull from beach damage through concentrated material thickness. Replaceable aluminium Rigging wear pads at the aft end of the bilge rails A new mast step and gate design gives a further protect the hull. The bilge rails and RS Sailing’s Comptec PE3 rotomoulded simple, secure, 3-stage mast stepping process: centerline rail create a 3-point-landing so the polyethylene hull construction system uses hull sits securely on a pontoon or slipway. the highest quality materials and computer – Place the mast on the boat at a shallow controlled thickness distribution for added angle The transom design has been handed strength where required. The QC testing – Push up to vertical down from the RS CAT16 where loads can procedure developed by RS allows us to – Mast gate holds the mast in place while be enormous. It allows rudder fittings to check key areas of every hull during the the spring-loaded mechanism is locked be bolted through a massively strong area completion process. without breaching the hull skin. This system This safe process means youngsters and also removes risk of leaking. Worn transom Capsize recovery & safety pupils can rig their own boats, something fittings can be replaced easily and without Grab handles are built into the hull bilge rails not generally recommended with masts of requiring re-sealing. to help sailors, especially children, climb onto this size that need lifting in vertically. an upturned boat. Wide flanges The rounded bow will reduce damage also offer a secure step during capsize A class-leading high boom has been between boats in training fleet use as well as recovery (and provide a drier ride underway). incorporated to inspire confidence and damage during imperfect pontoon arrivals. reduce head bumps, potential injury and

3 subsequent routine medical checks – an sailing with the board partially raised in increasingly important factor for busy shallow water or when launching, enhancing training centres. this key attribute of the RS Zest.

The central mainsheet sheet system avoids The lift & lock rudder system has been the tangles around the rudder that have been developed for the RS Zest following common on boats of this type. It reduces the successful experience with a similar system need for instructor attention after launching on the RS Quest. It has a simple, intuitive or hoisting sail, especially afloat. action with positive locked up / down positions. A kick-up facility reduces the Centreboard & rudder chance of grounding damage. We have designed the RS Zest with a pivoting centerboard, with two key attributes A transom gudgeon incorporates a built- in mind. The first, as previously described, is in rudder retaining clip which is easier to the durability gain when, inevitably, the boat operate and less prone to damage than is grounded during inexperienced use. separate clips.

The second is convenience and ease. The Polypropylene material has been chosen for centerboard is always in place ready for use the rudder and centerboard construction and much easier for young, inexperienced as it is extremely strong. The yellow colour hands than inserting a loose daggerboard. offers high visibility and increased safety if Forward cockpit space is not reduced when the boat is inverted.

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