RS Venture Information, Review, Specs

The RS Venture was conceived by RS Sailing in response to a clear demand for a multi-role dinghy capable of comfortably accommodating more than two crew members. Designed by Phil Morrison, the Venture entered production in 2010. This design aligns perfectly with RS Sailing's broader philosophy, which originated from a desire to advance dinghy design and make high-performance sailing more attainable. While RS Sailing is known for utilizing durable rotomoulded polyethylene in many of its models, the RS Venture is constructed with robust fiberglass for both its hull and deck, ensuring durability and a solid feel. The core concept behind the Venture was to deliver a large, modern GRP dinghy that is incredibly user-friendly and a pleasure to sail, capable of serving diverse roles from family cruising to extensive training programs. Beyond its standard configuration, the RS Venture also offers a ballasted centerboard option, adding 143 pounds of ballast for enhanced stability, and a keel version, particularly seen in the RS Venture Connect variant which further builds on the original design with an added weighted keel.

Sailing Performance and Handling

The RS Venture is celebrated for its remarkably stable hull design and its capacity to provide sparkling performance. While performance ratios are less applicable to dinghies of this size, the boat is engineered to be highly user-friendly and responsive without being overly demanding, making it manageable for a wide range of sailors, including a husband-wife team. Its design prioritizes stability and space, featuring a large, self-draining cockpit that can comfortably accommodate up to eight sailors, making it an excellent choice for group outings or instructional settings. The inclusion of a tapered mast further enhances the boat's overall performance and handling characteristics, contributing to its reputation as a versatile and enjoyable sailboat.

Accommodations and Layout

As a day sailer and training dinghy, the RS Venture's accommodations focus primarily on its spacious cockpit rather than enclosed cabins. It boasts a "huge, wide-open cockpit" that offers ample room for its impressive capacity of up to eight crew members. This large and comfortable layout is a defining feature, emphasizing social sailing and ease of movement within the boat. The self-draining cockpit is a practical design element, ensuring that any water taken aboard quickly drains away, contributing to a drier and safer sailing experience. The emphasis is on maximizing usable space for crew and gear, suitable for adventurous day trips, training exercises, or relaxed family outings on the water.

Owner's Perspectives

Owners generally regard the RS Venture as a "nice boat" that is "nicely built". Its sailing characteristics are often described as responsive, yet not overly so, making it approachable for families. The boat's ease of handling is frequently highlighted, with owners noting that it can be readily managed by a two-person crew. The overwhelmingly positive feedback from owners centers on its user-friendliness, stability, and suitability for its multi-purpose design, reinforcing its standing as a solid choice for recreational and training sailing.