The RS400 measures 4.52 m overall, with a 2.00 m beam and an 85 kg weight. It shares many design features with the smaller RS200 but is a thoroughly modern planing platform.
Design and Construction
Phil Morrison’s hull carries a very generous beam for its length. The boat’s documented ratings give Build Quality, Anticipated Durability, Systems and Layout, Performance, and Value for Money scores of 70% each. Quality of Race Circuit scores 80%.
The cockpit has a tidy layout, but the RS400 isn’t truly self-draining. LDC Racing Sailboats instead addressed water management with an ingenious built-in bailer, rather than a fully self-clearing hull.
The centreboard pivots and has a simple adjustable friction device. A simple but effective lifting rudder completes the appendage package.
Rig, Sails, and Controls
The RS400 carries a fractional sloop rig on a Proctor mast. The mast stands in the boat and is supported by an adjustable mast ram, while Hyde sails make up the working wardrobe.
A hoop-mounted mainsheet runs through a free-running system to a centre jammer. The jib sheets pass through adjustable leads to well-placed cleats. Sail trimming is straightforward and efficient: the vang, cunningham, and jib-luff tension controls all lead to neatly recessed cleats in the wide centre thwart.
The asymmetric spinnaker uses a swinging pole, which helps the boat sail quite deep downwind. A small pocket beneath the spinnaker chute keeps the halyards tidy, while a clever one-patch retrieval system simplifies dousing the kite.
Handling and Performance
Writing in boats.com, the reviewer found the RS400 powerful upwind, with good pointing ability and precise steering. Downwind, it is genuinely fast.
Test sailors noted an initial impression of instability, but found that this was simply the boat rocking from chine to chine. Stability returns once the hull heels a few degrees. The steering isn’t feather-light, but it is extremely precise, with no wobble or slop. The boat responds to every contribution from both helm and crew.
Tacking is straightforward, with no tendency to catch in irons. The boat’s relatively high power-to-weight ratio also delivers quick acceleration out of a tack. When reaching and running, the centreboard stays down to maintain balance, although testers recorded a slight tendency toward lee helm when reaching.
Overall, the RS400’s performance equals or exceeds that of most existing trapeze boats.
Ownership, Racing, and Support
A comprehensive instruction book covers basic how-to information as well as more advanced tuning advice. That’s a useful resource for owners moving into such a responsive race boat.
The fleet is healthy: no fewer than 81 boats were ranked in the 2000 Gul-sponsored circuit. This supports active class racing and a strong secondhand market. Selection for the Endeavour Trophy also signals the class’s credibility at national level.
Verdict
The RS400 is a crisp, demanding double-hander that rewards coordinated crew work with genuine speed and tactical precision. Its beamy Morrison hull and efficient control layout make it a serious club racer. However, the cockpit isn’t truly self-draining, and the initial chine-to-chine rocking calls for attentive handling.
Pros
- Powerful upwind performance, precise steering, and good pointing ability
- Genuinely fast downwind, with a deep-running asymmetric spinnaker
- Strong, active one-design class and fleet support
- Thoughtful control routing and clever spinnaker-handling details
Cons
- Not truly self-draining and reliant on a built-in bailer
- Initial impression of instability, plus slight lee helm when reaching
- Sensitive platform that demands attentive input from helm and crew
