The production boat emerged after several years of testing four hull variants and numerous rig, foil, and layout options. The result was intended as a considered alternative to the classic singlehander.
Design and Construction
The hull uses epoxy glass and carbon fiber over a foam core to keep its weight to 30 kg while retaining wide gunwales. Those structural gunwales provide a dry ride and make the boat quick and safe to right after a capsize.
RS Sailing maintained that the boat’s very low weight meant the hull form and rigs need not be extreme for the boat to be exciting. In the company’s view, the Aero is utterly exciting without being hard to handle. Its waterline length matches its 13-foot 2-inch overall length, and beam is 4 feet 6 inches.
Rig and Handling
Three rigs share a common carbon topmast and boom, while their carbon lower mast sections differ radically in stiffness. The Aero 5 is intended for youths, the Aero 7 for women and light men, and the Aero 9 for men.
Thanks to the light hull, even the Aero 5 exceeds most singlehanders in sail-area-to-weight ratio, preserving the boat’s dynamic feel. With a sail-area-to-displacement figure of 91.11, the Aero responds keenly to shifts in body weight.
Layout and Practicality
This is an open singlehander with no cabin or enclosed accommodation. Its dimensions are straightforward: a 4-foot 6-inch beam, with waterline length equal to overall length.
The 30 kg hull makes the boat easy to rig, launch, and tow. It also makes trailering and stepping the mast a one-person task. The dry gunwales cut wear from capsize drills.
Rigs and Ownership
Because all three rigs use the same topmast and boom, an owner can change rigs by swapping only the lower mast section and sail. That gives the Aero 5, 7, and 9 a common hull and much of the same spars, while allowing the sail plan to suit different sailors.
The Verdict
Jo Richards’ 2014 design for RS Sailing is a modern solo dinghy that uses low weight rather than extreme geometry to deliver an exciting but manageable boat. Its three rigs broaden the range of sailors who can use the same hull, while the 30 kg hull simplifies handling ashore.
Pros
- The 30 kg hull makes solo rigging, launching, and towing practical
- Three rigs use one hull, with a common topmast and boom
- Wide gunwales provide a dry ride and quick capsize recovery
- The Aero 5 exceeds most singlehanders in sail-area-to-weight ratio
Cons
- No enclosed accommodation, by design
- The light platform demands body-weight tuning
