Design and Construction
The RS100's hull is an epoxy sandwich, a construction choice that pairs with carbon fibre spars and epoxy foils to keep the 176-pound displacement honest to its purpose epoxy sandwich hull. Handley gave the boat a fine bow that slices through waves and a wide aft section that testers found delivered both comfort and stability when seated. The wings are moulded as part of the hull rather than bolted on, and the flared sides avoid the water-thumping habit that plagued the Laser EPS wings — a detail that speaks to considered hull geometry rather than cosmetic styling. A nice-and-high boom rounds out a deck layout meant to keep the sailor clear of gear.
Rig and Handling
Three rig options are offered, including a setup with a removable lower mast section for lighter crews, so the smallest sails are not an afterthought but a designed-in configuration three rig options. The two-part carbon fibre mast accepts that removable bottom section, and Mylar sails complete a rig built for sensitivity and speed. An asymmetric spinnaker flies at a sheeting angle testers called just right. Control lines are led out to the wings so everything falls easily to hand, and a pulley system raises and lowers the centreboard without the sailor leaving position. A pivoting rudder and daggerboard make the boat practical to launch and versatile across venues.
Performance Character
Writing in boats.com, the reviewer called the Paul Handley-designed RS100 a lovely boat with a hint of real style, and judged it so much nicer than the Vareo, which he had found a real bore upwind so much nicer than the Vareo. The wide stern and flared topsides give a stable platform, while the fine entry keeps it easy through chop. Popular even before launch, the design clearly answered a demand for a singlehander that planes without punishing its owner.
Ownership Notes
The RS100's epoxy sandwich hull and carbon components place it among RS's more technical small boats. The pivoting foil and led-out controls reduce the faff of solo rigging and recovery. With a 2-foot max draft and 0.35-foot board-up draft, trailering and shallow access are straightforward consequences of the centreboard plan.
The Verdict
The RS100 is a thoughtfully resolved singlehander: a sandwich hull, carbon rig, and moulded wings produce a stable yet lively platform, and the three-rig system extends its appeal across weights. It is a boat that testers found genuinely pleasurable where its duller predecessors felt lifeless.
Pros
- Epoxy sandwich hull with carbon spars and epoxy foils keeps weight at 176 lb
- Moulded-in wings and flared sides avoid water-thumping and add stability
- Three rig options including a lightweight-sail mast section
- Controls led to the wings with centreboard pulley for solo ease
- Pivoting rudder and daggerboard for practical trailering
Cons
- Singlehander only; no double-handed configuration
- Technical composite build may demand more care than simpler dinghies
