With more than 750 boats now sailing across Australia, RS Sailing has quietly become one of the country’s fastest-growing dinghy brands. From the hugely successful RS Aero to the RS Quest, Feva and Venture Connect, Sailing Raceboats’ Rhett Gowans explains what’s driving that growth, where the opportunities lie, and why the next few years could be the biggest yet for the brand.
RS Sailing’s Australian journey
Although many sailors refer to “RS Australia”, the business is actually operated by Sailing Raceboats, an independent Australian company founded by Tom Pearce in 2011 which has been the exclusive importer and distributor of RS Sailing boats ever since.
The company established its Melbourne headquarters in 2013 and has steadily expanded the RS presence around the country.
“There are now over 750 boats across more than 20 RS classes sailing in Australia, and that number continues to grow every year,” said Rhett Gowans.
The RS Aero success story
The standout performer has undoubtedly been the RS Aero.
Its growth accelerated following the 2019 RS Aero World Championship at Black Rock Yacht Club, while Australia’s enthusiastic class association has helped create one of the country’s strongest modern single-handed fleets.
Today the Australian fleet has surpassed 300 boats.
According to Gowans, the Aero succeeds because it combines exceptionally light construction with simple rigging and an active community.
“What really sets the RS Aero apart is its modernity. At just 32kg with carbon spars and beautifully moulded foils, there’s nothing else quite like it.”
The momentum is expected to continue when Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron hosts the 2027 RS Aero World Championship.
Around 180 competitors are expected, including between 50 and 70 international sailors.
Training clubs continue to embrace the RS Quest
While the Aero has captured racers’ attention, the RS Quest has become one of Australia’s most popular club training boats.
Its rotomoulded hull provides exceptional durability, making it well suited to sailing schools and club fleets where accidental knocks are inevitable.
Importantly, the Quest isn’t simply a beginner’s boat.
Events such as the annual Stonehaven Cup demonstrate its racing credentials, with fleets of young sailors competing at clubs around Australia.
RS Feva building Australia’s next generation
Youth sailing has become another major growth area.
Australia now has more than 100 RS Fevas, with the class benefiting from Australian Sailing’s Sail Our Way initiative, encouraging greater female participation.
The Feva offers an ideal transition between junior training boats and larger performance classes while remaining affordable and easy to sail.
“It is very exciting to see how much momentum the class has been building over recent years.”
RS21 gaining recognition
Another important milestone has been the selection of the RS21 for the 2026 Australian Youth Match Racing Championship.
Although still an emerging class in Australia, Sailing Raceboats believes the RS21 has enormous potential as both a racing keelboat and a training platform.
Internationally, RS21 World Championships regularly attract fleets exceeding 50 boats.
Leading the way in accessible sailing
One of the most innovative boats in the RS range is the RS Venture Connect SCS.
Designed specifically for sailors with disabilities, it features joystick steering, electronic mainsheet controls, twin rudders and a self-draining cockpit.
The design has already been recognised internationally through its inclusion in the World Para Games.
Should sailing return to the Paralympic Games, Sailing Raceboats believes the Venture Connect could become a key development platform for future Australian para sailors.
More than just the headline classes
While the Aero and Feva receive much of the attention, Sailing Raceboats imports more than 25 different RS models.
Among those tipped for future growth are:
- RS Zest
- RS200
- RS400
- RS CAT range
- RS Toura
- RS Tera
The company is already seeing small fleets emerge around Australia, including growing RS200 numbers at Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron.
Supporting clubs
Beyond supplying boats, Sailing Raceboats works closely with clubs through:
- fleet discounts
- event support
- partnerships
- technical advice
- after-sales service
- prompt spare parts supply
The company encourages clubs considering new fleets to get in touch early so they can recommend the most appropriate classes.
Looking ahead
With strong growth across the Aero, Quest and Feva classes, increasing interest in the RS21, and expanding opportunities in inclusive sailing through the Venture Connect SCS, the future looks bright for RS Sailing in Australia.
As Gowans summed it up:
“There is something for everyone.”
RS Sailing in Australia
- Sole Australian importer: Sailing Raceboats
- Established: 2011
- Australian HQ: Melbourne
- 750+ boats nationwide
- 20+ classes
- RS Aero fleet: 300+
- RS Quest fleet: 230+
- RS Feva fleet: 100+
- 2027 RS Aero World Championships: Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron
- https://www.sailingraceboats.com.au
- RS Aero Australian Class Association – https://www.rsaeroaus.org.au/
- RS Quest Australian Association – https://www.rsquestaa.com/
- Social Media – #SailingRaceboats
#SailingRaceboats #RSsailing
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