SAIL Magazine’s editors named the Zest a winner in the publication’s 2018 Best Boats contest. Its account explains why: sprightly yet predictable performance, an ergonomic layout, and an easily handled rig combine to make the boat user-friendly, safe, and fun to sail.
Design and Construction
At 11ft 9in overall and 161lb, the Zest is compact enough for training programs and small crews. Construction follows RS Sailing’s approach to its rotomolded range: the hull is made from rugged roto-molded polyethylene. Carefully engineered hardware attachment points are intended to reduce maintenance and provide a long service life through repeated novice use.
An integral aluminum handrail runs along the bottom of the hull, where it doubles as a skid rail when the boat is hauled up a beach. The Zest has a centerboard rather than a daggerboard, making shoal-water groundings less fraught. Its kick-up rudder uses a simple lift-and-lock system, so sailors can raise or lower the blade without fuss.
Rig and Handling
The rig is designed around forgiveness. A high boom helps prevent head-on-alloy encounters, while a proprietary mast step and gate allow novices to raise and lower the spar without accidentally dropping it.
The Zest can be sloop-rigged with a jib, providing enough for a crew of two or even three to do, or una-rigged with only the mainsail for solo sailing. Sail area is 71 square feet with main and jib, or 59 square feet under main alone.
Testers found that the powerful foils provided an effective combination of control and forgiveness. They made tacking and gybing about as easy as it gets, whether sailing on or off the wind. Even a 6-foot-tall, middle-aged sailor called the Zest an absolute blast to sail.
With the jib, main, and 150 pounds of crew, the boat has a sail-area-to-displacement ratio of 25 and a displacement-length ratio of 79. The numbers reflect a light, responsive craft rather than a heavy cruiser.
Cockpit and Crew Comfort
For a boat this size, the cockpit is notably well considered. A bright yellow sculpted thwart gives small crew members an inboard place to sit if they aren’t yet comfortable hiking. With the optional oarlocks and oars fitted, it also serves as a rowing seat.
Intermediate side seats and comfortable side decks in the main cockpit help less experienced sailors remain comfortable while driving. Testers noted ample room between the boom and cockpit sole for moving from side to side. The hiking straps are positioned so feet find them without thought, while the contoured side decks remain comfortable once the crew moves outboard. The cockpit’s overall dimensions also meant crew members never had to grope for purchase while moving around.
Ownership and Use
RS Sailing puts new designs through their paces on the water and carefully debugs them before public release, an approach that suits the Zest’s intended role as a school and club workhorse. Its rotomolded polyethylene hull, engineered attachment points, and beach-friendly skid rail all support low-maintenance fleet operation. The optional rowing setup extends the boat’s utility beyond sailing alone.
The Verdict
The RS Zest succeeds as a trainer because it removes many of the usual penalties for inexperience. Forgiving foils, a high boom, a foolproof mast step, and a roomy yet secure cockpit allow beginners to build their skills without fear. Meanwhile, the rugged rotomolded construction shrugs off the bumps of program use.
Pros
- Sprightly yet predictable performance, with control-oriented foils
- Easily handled rig, high boom, and novice-safe mast step and gate
- Ergonomic cockpit with an inboard thwart, side seats, and contoured side decks
- Rugged rotomolded polyethylene construction with engineered, low-maintenance fittings
- Centerboard and kick-up rudder suited to shoal water and beaches
Cons
- At 11ft 9in and 161lb, it is strictly a trainer rather than a cruising or racing dinghy for advanced sailors
- Design and dimensions limit it to small crew loads
