RS Feva Sailboats for Sale

Layouts on the Used Market

RS Sailing offered the Feva in a scalable family of rigs – the S, XL and XL Race versions – all sharing the same robust hull and deck. The S typically carries a slightly smaller main and jib, keeping the power manageable for lighter crews or those fresh from singlehanded trainers. The XL rig steps up the sail area with a larger main, often paired with a gennaker system, making it a do-everything option for club and family sailors. The XL Race adds refinements such as upgraded control lines and hardware, aimed at crews who want to compete in class events. This graduated approach means a used Feva can genuinely grow with a sailor; the XL configuration tends to be the most versatile choice, but the S remains a great entry point for younger or lighter teams. All versions share the retractable daggerboard and kick-up rudder, which makes beach launching and shallow-water sailing effortless.

Equipment and Common Upgrades

Brokerage Fevas are commonly fitted with an asymmetric spinnaker, almost a signature of the class. The gennaker system on the XL and XL Race is beautifully simple, with a launch chute forward of the mast and a single sheet leading back to a crew-friendly block, so even first-timers can fly it within minutes. Standard deck gear includes a Harken-style mainsheet system, a self-tacking jib track and adjustable hiking straps, items that generally hold up well but deserve a close look.

What to Inspect

A used Feva is, by design, a tough proposition, but no boat is immune to wear and a pre-purchase inspection should be thorough. An editorial review in WindCheck Magazine highlighted how the roto-molded polyethylene hull is a major factor in the boat’s durability WindCheck, and that construction does make serious structural damage rare. However, examine the hull for deep gouges or cracks, particularly around the mast step area, the daggerboard trunk and the rudder fittings. The polyethylene can deform if a boat has been stored poorly or left in full sun for years without a cover; sight along the bottom and check for any waviness or soft spots.

Pay close attention to the kick-up rudder assembly: the pivot bolt, spring and gasket can seize or corrode, making the blade reluctant to kick up when you hit the bottom. The daggerboard should slide smoothly in its trunk without excessive side-play, and its foil shape should show no chips larger than a coin. The two-part mast and boom are aluminium and generally trouble-free, but look for pitting where they join; a badly fitted section can develop hairline cracks under load. Sails, especially the standard Dacron main and jib, take a beating in training programmes – hold them up to the light and look for missing stitching, leech flutter damage or a stretched luff rope. The gennaker, if included, often suffers from the flogging that comes with learner douses; check the clew patch and the head for tears. Finally, inspect the trailer (if part of the sale) for rust, tyre condition and working lights, as a missing or unroadworthy trailer can turn a good find into a logistical headache.

Availability and Buyer’s Takeaway

The used RS Feva market is notably active in New Zealand and Switzerland, where strong club cultures and youth programmes have built a steady supply of well-circulated boats. In these regions, you’ll find a range of condition from ex-fleet models that are ready to race to lightly used family boats with plenty of life left. When you’re ready to go and see a prospective Feva, a methodical walk-round will tell you most of what you need to know. Use this flat checklist as your guide:

• Verify the rig size (S, XL or XL Race) against the seller’s description, and check that the sails match the rig.
• Inspect the hull for deep gouges, deformation or cracks, especially at the mast step and daggerboard slot.
• Test the daggerboard and rudder for smooth movement and secure fastenings; look for seized or corroded pivot parts.
• Examine the mast sections for pitting, cracks or sloppy joiners, and sight the boom for straightness.
• Hold sails and gennaker up to light; reject any with extensive seam failure, stretched luff ropes or torn corners.
• Confirm that the trailer (if included) is roadworthy – tyres, lights, bearings and the hull-support pads all count.
• Ask about class-legal modifications if you plan to race; some aftermarket upgrades may need reverting for one-design events.