RS RS400 Sailboats for Sale & Market Overview

Hull Type

Monohull · centerboard

Rig

Fractional Sloop

LOA

14.83' · 4.52 m

Disp.

187 lbs · 85 kg

First year

1993

The RS400, designed by Phil Morrison and launched in 1994, serves as the foundational "modern classic" that established RS Sailing as a dominant force in the performance dinghy market. Conceived as a highperformance doublehander that avoided the complexity and physical barrier of a trapeze, the RS400 was revolutionary for its time, introducing skifflike characteristics—such as a lightweight hull and an asymmetric spinnaker—to a wider audience of club sailors. Built with a hightech GRP foam sandwich construction, the boat was designed to be stiff and light, weighing in at approximately 80kg for the hull alone. This powertoweight ratio allows the boat to plane easily in moderate breeze, yet its relatively wide beam provides a level of stability that makes it more forgiving than a pure skiff. As a strict onedesign class, the RS400 has maintained its relevance for three decades, with a design that remains largely unchanged since its inception, ensuring that older hulls remain competitive with newer builds.