RS Feva Sailboat Review, Specs, and Listings

Paul Handley·2002·RS Racing
RS Feva drawingBuilder drawing
Hull Type
Monohull · daggerboard
Rig
Fractional Sloop
LOA
11.94' · 3.64 m
Disp.
139 lbs · 63 kg
First year
2002

The RS Feva is a 12foot doublehander launched by RS Sailing in Hampshire, England, in 2004. Designed by Paul Handley for doublehanded training and club racing, it has since become a familiar sight in European sailing programs. Its rotomolded polyethylene shell and highvolume hull are intended to keep young sailors afloat and help them progress through several seasons of development.

Measurements

Dimensions 01

Length Overall
11.94 ft
Length on deck
—
Waterline Length
11 ft
Beam
4.66 ft
Draft
3 ft
Maximum Headroom
—
Air Draft
—

Construction & hull 02

Hull
Plastic/Polyethylene
Hull Type
Monohull
Keel Type
Daggerboard
Rudder
1× —
Ballast
— (Lead)
Displacement
139 lbs
Water Capacity
—
Fuel Capacity
—

Rig & sails 03

Rigging Type
Fractional Sloop
Mainsail luff
—
Mainsail foot
—
Foretriangle height
—
Foretriangle base
—
Forestay Length (estimated)
—
Sail Area
92 sqft

Calculations 04

Sail Area to Displacement Ratio
54.86
Ballast to Displacement Ratio
—
Displacement to Length Ratio
46.62
Comfort Ratio
2.45
Capsize Screening Ratio
3.6
Hull Speed
4.44 kn

Design and Construction

RS Sailing built the Feva using rotomolded polyethylene, an approach program directors have valued for its ruggedness and low cost. The high-volume hull is intended to keep the boat fast and entertaining as its crews grow in size and skill.

That makes the Feva a scalable training boat: a junior sailor can continue using the same platform over several seasons rather than outgrowing it after a single year of instruction.

Rig and Handling

The Feva is easy to rig, which matters when the crew is young and time before the start is short. Owners praise the self-setting gennaker, which removes some of the complexity from downwind sailing that would otherwise require inexperienced crews to manage the pole and sheets precisely.

Owners also report that the boat can be sailed by one to four people. That versatility suits it to teaching, family outings, and informal club racing without requiring a redesign or different rig.

Versions and Intended Use

RS offered the Feva in S, XL, and XL Race versions, providing programs and private owners with a range of specifications from basic training to more competitive outfitting.

The high-volume hull and scalable concept mean a club can field the same model for beginners and older juniors moving into race mode, which simplifies storage, spares, and coaching. The boat’s popularity across Europe reflects how well one platform has served varied fleet needs.

The Verdict

The RS Feva succeeds as a rugged, versatile trainer that can accommodate a wide range of crew sizes. Its self-setting gennaker lowers the barrier to downwind fun, while the rotomolded polyethylene construction keeps acquisition and repair costs down for sailing programs. The high-volume hull also extends the boat’s useful life as sailors grow.

Pros

  • Rugged, low-cost rotomolded polyethylene construction
  • Easy for young sailors to rig
  • Self-setting gennaker praised by owners
  • Can be sailed by crews of one to four, making it very versatile
  • High-volume hull remains useful across several seasons

Cons

  • Designed around junior sailing and training rather than adult performance sailing

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