Design and Construction
The hull pairs epoxy glass and carbon fiber over a foam core to reach 30 kg while keeping gunwales wide. Those wide structural gunwales give a dry ride and make the boat quick and safe to right from capsize anchor. RS Sailing held that the ultra-light weight meant hull form and rigs need not be extreme anchor to be exciting — the Aero is utterly exciting without being hard to handle. The waterline equals the 13-foot 2-inch length overall, with a 4-foot 6-inch beam.
Rig and Handling
Three rigs share a common top mast and boom, all spars carbon, with radically different stiffness lower mast sections. The Aero 5 fits youths, the 7 women and light men, the 9 men. The light hull lets even the 5 beat most singlehanders for sail-area-to-weight ratio anchor, retaining the dynamic feel. At 91.11 sail-area-to-displacement, it responds keenly to body weight.
Accommodations
This is an open singlehander: no cabin, just the 4-foot 6-inch beam and equal waterline and length. Easy rig, launch, and tow follow from the 30 kg weight anchor, not enclosed space.
Refits and Ownership
Common top mast and boom let an owner swap rigs by changing only lower section and sail. The 30 kg hull makes trailering and stepping mast a one-person task; dry gunwales cut wear from capsize drill.
The Verdict
Jo Richards' 2014 design for RS Sailing is a modern solo dinghy using lightness to avoid extreme geometry, offering three rigs from one hull.
Pros
- 30 kg hull makes rigging, launching, and towing a solo task
- Three rigs on one hull via common top mast and boom
- Wide gunwales give a dry ride and fast capsize recovery
- Aero 5 out-ratios most singlehanders for sail area to weight
Cons
- No enclosed accommodations by design
- Light platform demands body-weight tuning
