RS Zest Buyer's Guide
The RS Zest is a training dinghy from RS Sailing, designed by Jo Richards and introduced in 2017, that has become a familiar sight in sailing programs. Built in rotomolded polyethylene with a centerboard and kick-up rudder, it targets clubs, schools, and families wanting a forgiving boat that tolerates novice mistakes. For a shopper scanning the used market, the appeal lies in simple systems and a hull meant to absorb hard use rather than a list of cruising amenities.
Layouts on the Used Market
Every Zest shares the same core layout: a small centerboard hull about 11 feet 9 inches long with a beam near 4 feet 10 inches and a hull weight around 161 pounds. The cockpit carries a bright yellow sculpted thwart seat for inboard crew, intermediate side-seats, and contoured side-decks, with an optional rowing setup using oarlocks and oars. The boat can appear as a solo una-rig on main alone or a sloop-rigged trainer with a jib for two or three, so buyer expectations should center on a single open cockpit with no cabin or berths rather than a miniature cruiser.
Equipment and Common Upgrades
The single most common piece of gear on used RS Zest boats is a furling main, which suits the boat's easy-handling brief and is worth confirming in working order. Beyond that, the only factory option of note is the oarlocks-and-oars kit that turns the thwart into a rowing seat. Most other additions fall to owner initiative rather than standard fit, so a buyer should judge each boat on the condition of its rig hardware, rudder lift-and-lock system, and mast step gate rather than a long options list.
What to Inspect
The Zest's rotomolded polyethylene construction and engineered hardware attachment points are meant for long life, but any used boat warrants a look at the points where the kick-up rudder mounts and the centerboard pivots for wear from repeated grounding or beach launching. Check the proprietary mast step and gate for cracks or distortion that would defeat the novice-safe raising feature, and confirm the integral aluminum handrail along the hull bottom is intact as both grip and skid rail. The thwart, side-seats, and side-decks should be examined for stress where feet and weight load them during hiking anchor.
Availability and Buyer's Takeaway
Used RS Zest boats turn up in the United States and Canada through club fleets, schools, and private owners. For a shopper, the short checklist is: verify the furling main and rudder system operate smoothly, confirm the mast step gate is sound, inspect foil and hardware mounts for wear, and decide whether the optional oar kit matters for your use. A clean example with working rig and undamaged hull furniture will deliver the same forgiving sailor the design intended.
- Confirm furling main and kick-up rudder function
- Inspect mast step and gate for damage
- Check centerboard and rudder mounts for wear
- Verify thwart and side-deck structure
Price & volume trends
Monthly asking-price and listing-volume trends for the RS Zest. The line shows the median ask each month; the bars show how many listings appeared.
Monthly breakdown · 4 rows
| Month | Listings | Median ask | Δ vs. last mo. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 25 | 1 | $5,000 | — |
| Apr 26 | 2 | $5,000 | 0.0% |
| May 26 | 1 | $5,000 | 0.0% |
| Jun 26 | 1 | $3,513 | -29.7% |
Where they're listed
RS Zest listings appear across 2 countries. United States has the most listings with 4 (80.0%), followed by Canada.
Country view
5 listings · 2 countries| Country | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $5,000 | 4 | 0 | 80.0% |
| Canada | $3,513 | 1 | 0 | 20.0% |