Design and Construction
Phil Morrison's hull carries a very generous beam for its length, and the boat's documented ratings put Build Quality, Anticipated Durability, Systems and Layout, Performance, and Value for Money each at 70%, with the Quality of Race Circuit score reaching 80%. The RS400 is not truly self-draining, a fact worth weighing against its otherwise tidy cockpit philosophy; LDC Racing Sailboats addressed water management with an ingenious built-in bailer rather than a fully self-clearing hull. The centreboard is pivoting and fitted with a simple adjustable friction device, while a simple but effective lifting rudder rounds out the appendage package.
Rig and Sail Plan
The fractional sloop rig sits on a Proctor mast that stands in the boat supported by an adjustable mast ram, and Hyde sails outfit the working wardrobe. A hoop-mounted mainsheet runs via a free-running system to a centre jammer, and jib sheets run via adjustable leads to well-placed cleats. The asymmetric spinnaker incorporates a swinging pole, and a small pocket under the spinnaker chute keeps halyards neat. Sail sheet trimming is simple and efficient, with vang, cunningham, and jib luff tension all leading to neatly recessed cleats in the wide centre thwart. A clever one-patch retrieval system simplifies kite dousing.
Handling and Performance
Writing in boats.com, the reviewer found the RS400 powerful upwind, pointing well, and precise in steering, and downwind it is a genuinely fast boat. The swinging pole allows it to run quite deep. Test sailors noted that the boat gives an initial impression of instability that proves to be nothing more than rocking from chine to chine, and once heeled a few degrees stability returns. The steering is not feather-weight but extremely precise and devoid of any wobble or slop, and the boat is sensitive to every contribution from helmsman and crew. Tacking is simple with no tendency to catch in irons, and acceleration out of the tack reflects the relatively high power-to-weight ratio. The centreboard is kept down when reaching and running to maintain balance, though testers recorded a slight tendency to lee helm when reaching. Performance levels equal or exceed most existing trapeze boats.
Ownership and Support
A comprehensive instruction book provides both how-to information and more advanced tuning tips, a meaningful aid for owners stepping into a responsive race boat. The healthy fleet—no less than 81 ranked in the 2000 Gul-sponsored circuit—supports a strong secondhand market and active class racing, while the Endeavour Trophy selection signals class credibility at the national level.
The Verdict
The RS400 is a crisp, demanding double-hander that rewards crew work with genuine speed and tactical precision. Its beamy Morrison hull and efficient control layout make it a serious club racer, though the non-self-draining cockpit and initial chine rocking ask for attentive handling.
Pros
- Powerful, precise upwind steering and good pointing
- Genuinely fast downwind with deep-running asymmetric
- Strong, active one-design class and fleet support
- Thoughtful control routing and clever kite-handling details
Cons
- Not truly self-draining; relies on built-in bailer
- Initial instability impression and slight lee helm when reaching
- Sensitive platform demanding attentive crew input
