RS Aero Buyer's Guide
The RS Aero is Jo Richards' 2014 solo dinghy from RS Sailing, a 13-foot 2-inch cat-rigged monohull on a daggerboard with a 30-kilogram epoxy-glass-and-carbon foam-core hull. On the used market it draws sailors wanting one light boat that grows through three rigs instead of several dinghies. The Optimist-weight hull keeps trailering and mast stepping one-person jobs, and the wide gunwales that speed capsize recovery also keep the ride dry.
Layouts on the Used Market
Every RS Aero is an open singlehander: 4-foot 6-inch beam, daggerboard trunk, cat rig on common carbon top mast and boom. The Aero 5, 7, and 9 share that upper rig and differ only in lower-mast stiffness and sail size, so a boat is defined by its rig and whether spare lower sections come with it.
Equipment and Common Upgrades
The brief lists no equipment tiers, so confirm rig inventory at viewing. The key upgrade is spare lower-mast sections and sails to switch between 5, 7, and 9 without a second hull. Carbon spars and foam-core hull are standard; no factory auxiliary or tankage exists.
What to Inspect
Check the daggerboard trunk and foam-core hull for impact cracks, since a 30 kg hull dents differently from heavier glass. Verify carbon spars and the common top mast and boom are uncracked, and that lower-mast sections match the advertised rig. The wide gunwales must be sound as the brace when righting anchor.
Availability and Buyer's Takeaway
Used RS Aero boats typically appear in the United States, Switzerland, Australia, Sweden, and Poland. Before you commit:
- Confirm the hull and daggerboard trunk are free of impact cracks
- Verify the carbon top mast, boom, and lower sections are uncracked
- Match the rig sail to the lower-mast stiffness advertised
- Check the wide gunwales for sound structure
- Confirm the 30 kg hull weight feels correct on the trailer
Price & volume trends
Monthly asking-price and listing-volume trends for the RS Aero. The line shows the median ask each month; the bars show how many listings appeared.
Monthly breakdown · 6 rows
| Month | Listings | Median ask | Δ vs. last mo. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 25 | 1 | $7,500 | — |
| Jul 25 | 1 | $9,500 | +26.7% |
| Mar 26 | 1 | $4,662 | -50.9% |
| Apr 26 | 2 | $7,946 | +70.4% |
| May 26 | 1 | $6,000 | -24.5% |
| Jun 26 | 1 | $9,090 | +51.5% |
Where they're listed
RS Aero listings appear across 4 countries. Switzerland has the most listings with 2 (40.0%), followed by Australia and Poland.
Country view
5 listings · 4 countries| Country | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Switzerland | $7,946 | 2 | 0 | 40.0% |
| Australia | $4,662 | 1 | 0 | 20.0% |
| Poland | $9,090 | 1 | 1 | 20.0% |
| United States | $6,000 | 1 | 0 | 20.0% |