Design and Construction
The RS100 has an epoxy sandwich hull, carbon fibre spars, and epoxy foils, keeping displacement to 176 pounds. Handley gave the boat a fine bow that slices through waves and a wide aft section that testers found comfortable and stable when seated.
The wings are moulded into the hull rather than bolted on. Its flared sides also avoid the water-thumping habit that plagued the Laser EPS wings—a result of considered hull geometry rather than cosmetic styling. A nice-and-high boom completes a deck layout intended to keep the sailor clear of the gear.
Rig and Handling
The RS100 offers three rig options, including a setup with a removable lower mast section for lighter crews. The smallest sails are therefore a designed-in configuration rather than an afterthought. The two-part carbon fibre mast accommodates the removable bottom section, while Mylar sails complete a rig built for sensitivity and speed.
An asymmetric spinnaker flies at a sheeting angle testers called just right. The control lines lead out to the wings, putting everything within easy reach, and a pulley system lets the sailor raise or lower the centreboard without leaving position. A pivoting rudder and daggerboard make the boat practical to launch and versatile across venues.
Performance
Writing in boats.com, the reviewer called the Paul Handley-designed RS100 a lovely boat with a hint of real style. He also judged it so much nicer than the Vareo, which he had found a real bore upwind.
The wide stern and flared topsides provide a stable platform, while the fine entry helps the boat through chop. Popular even before its launch, the design clearly answered demand for a singlehander that could plane without punishing its owner.
Ownership Notes
The RS100’s epoxy sandwich hull and carbon components place it among RS’s more technical small boats. Its pivoting foil and well-positioned controls reduce the faff of solo rigging and recovery.
Maximum draft is 2 feet, falling to 0.35 feet with the board up. The centreboard arrangement therefore makes trailering and shallow-water access straightforward.
Verdict
The RS100 is a thoughtfully resolved singlehander. Its sandwich hull, carbon rig, and moulded wings create a stable yet lively platform, while the three-rig system broadens its appeal across different crew weights. Testers found it genuinely pleasurable to sail where duller predecessors had felt lifeless.
Pros
- Epoxy sandwich hull, carbon spars, and epoxy foils keep weight to 176 lb
- Moulded-in wings and flared sides add stability and avoid water-thumping
- Three rig options, including a mast configuration for lighter crews and smaller sails
- Controls led to the wings, with a centreboard pulley for easier solo handling
- Pivoting rudder and daggerboard make trailering practical
Cons
- Singlehander only, with no double-handed configuration
- Technical composite construction may require more care than simpler dinghies
