Design and Construction
Construction follows RS Sailing's approach for its rotomolded line: the Zest is built in rugged roto-molded polyethylene, with carefully engineered hardware attachment points that keep maintenance low and service life long through repeated novice use. An integral aluminum handrail runs along the bottom of the hull and doubles as a skid rail when the boat is hauled up a beach. The boat uses a centerboard rather than a daggerboard, which makes shoal-water groundings less fraught, and a well-designed kick-up rudder with a simple lift-and-lock system lets a sailor get the blade both up and down without fuss.
Rig and Handling
The rig is built around forgiveness. A high boom helps prevent head-on-alloy encounters, and a proprietary mast step and gate design lets novices raise and lower the spar without accidentally dropping it. The boat can be sloop-rigged with a jib to keep a crew of two or even three entertained, or una-rigged with just a mainsail for solo sailing. Sail area measures 71 square feet with main and jib, or 59 square feet with the main alone. Testers found the powerful foils offered the perfect combination of control and forgiveness, making gybing and tacking about as easy as it gets whether sailing on or off the wind, and even a 6-foot-tall middle-aged sailor called it an absolute blast to sail. With a sail-area-to-displacement ratio of 25 and a displacement-length ratio of 79 using jib, main, and 150 pounds of crew, the numbers reflect a light, responsive craft rather than a heavy cruiser.
Accommodations and Cockpit
For a boat of this size the cockpit is notably considered. A bright yellow sculpted thwart seat provides inboard seating for small crew not yet comfortable with hiking, and the same seat doubles as a rowing position when the optional oarlocks and oars are fitted. Intermediate side-seats and comfortable side-decks in the main cockpit let less experienced sailors stay comfortable while driving. Testers noted plenty of room between the boom and cockpit sole to move side to side, nicely positioned hiking straps that feet find without thought, and contoured sidedecks that keep life good once outboard; the overall cockpit dimensions meant a crew never groped for purchase while moving about.
Ownership and Use
RS Sailing's practice of putting new designs through their paces on the water and carefully debugging them before public release speaks to the Zest's intended role as a school and club workhorse. The rotomolded polyethylene hull, engineered attachment points, and beach-friendly skid rail all serve low-maintenance fleet operation, while the optional oar setup extends the boat's utility beyond sailing alone.
The Verdict
The RS Zest succeeds as a trainer because it removes the usual penalties for inexperience. Forgiving foils, a high boom, a foolproof mast step, and a roomy yet secure cockpit let beginners build skill without fear, while the rugged rotomolded build 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 inboard thwart, side-seats, and contoured side-decks
- Rugged rotomolded polyethylene with engineered, low-maintenance fittings
- Centerboard and kick-up rudder suited to shoal water and beaches
Cons
- At 11ft 9in and 161lb, strictly a trainer rather than a cruising or racing dinghy for advanced sailors
- Limited to small crew loads by design and dimensions
