“Momentum behind this innovative and exhilarating dinghy is building in Ireland, and opportunities to engage a wide range of dinghy sailors cannot be overlooked”. Irish RS dealer Kenneth Rumball, is sure in his assessment of what the RS Aero can do for sailing in Ireland.

What makes the Aero such a good fit for the sailor?

The design philosophy for the Aero was to prioritise ultra-light weight, performance and practicality in producing a dinghy for suit sailors between 35 and 100kg. Weighing about the same as an Optimist, and with a variety of rig sizes, you’re sure to have fun afloat, no matter the wind strength. The lightweight design allows for easy transport to and from the water, and even onto the roof of a car, and places the aero as the perfect dinghy for kids, women and men.

The Aero was designed as a hiking boat from the outset. Dun Laoghaire Aero sailors attest to the comfort when sailing – you may not even need hiking pads! This comfort extends to tacks and gybes, with a high boom removing the need to stoop very low when crossing the boat. The Aero has been developed with lessons learnt from previous successful designs, such as improved ergonomics, centre mainsheet system and foils that slot with precision into their cases

Owners will benefit from the unrivalled RS dealer back up and support for spares. Up to 100 shipments leave RS Sailing’s HQ daily, heading all around the world, with excellent freight cost efficiency.

Worldwide numbers of boats are growing rapidly, and event programmes are building quickly, with World Championships being held annually since 2017. While the Aero was not successful at the recent World Sailing Olympic equipment selection process, it did receive the highest score in the One-Person Olympic Equipment Evaluation Report, unanimously considered the best option by the wide range of experts involved. RS Sailing have worked tirelessly to provide an unrivalled international support network for the class, and coupled with the ethos of RS sailing, it would be very foolish to write off the prospects of seeing the Aero one day at the Olympics.

Dynamic three rig system

Key to this broad appeal is the dynamic three rig system. The RS Aero 5, RS Aero 7 and RS Aero 9 rigs cater for a 35-100kg weight range. Using common top sections and booms, but differing bottom sections, these rigs options have been designed with sufficient control to totally flatten and twist the head of the sail upwind reducing the healing moment. This allows a greater sail area to be carried – a big benefit downwind and in lighter conditions. The tracked mast and halyard allow for easy mast stepping, especially in big breeze.

Why the RS Aero is perfect for Dublin Bay

When most of us get to sail there rarely is enough wind to propel foiling boats, and the Aero with is lightweight construction allows for an exhilarating sail in all wind conditions. If foiling takes your fancy, the lightweight full design allows for many non-RS approved, but thoroughly usable, foiling kits available.

With 4 boats now sailing in the DMYC Frostbite Series, the class is growing rapidly. Coupling this with the scheduled RS Aero Irish Open, there never has been a better time to get afloat in an Aero!

The Irish RS Dealer, Irish National Marine Services, is working in conjunction with RS Sailing to offer a special price for the first four additional boats brought into the country. If you’re still not convinced, a demo sail can be organised.

RS Aero Irish Open – 2nd and 3rd May 2020

The RS Aero Irish Open takes place on Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd May 2020. The Irish National Sailing & Powerboat School will host the inaugural event from Dun Laoghaire harbour with racing on Dublin Bay.

RS Sailing will support the event with a charter fleet and there is already good interest from RS Aero sailors in both the north and south of the UK. Added to the emerging Irish RS Aero fleet we should be in for a fabulous first event in Ireland!

The early event page is here which shall evolve as more informative and online entry is launched in due course.

Contact:

•  Irish National Marine Services: marineservices.ie
• Telephone Kenneth Rumball: 086 407 4275

What are Irish RS Aero owners saying?

Brendan Foley on why he chose the Aero over other options

After racing big boats for 20 years when I wanted to get back into dinghies, I wanted a boat that would be; fun, fast, easy (for a 43 year old!) and challenging enough to push me too. Foiling looked cool but I didn’t fancy flip flopping from wing to wing in light weather. The more traditional single handers of my youth felt a bit dated. The RS Aero was intriguing as you get sailing in all conditions plus the option of foiling. After sailing the boat, I was hooked by the simplicity and the windsurfer like acceleration. The square top main and carbon rig is super responsive, and the lightness of the hull and its shape make hiking bearable! - Brendan

Paul McMahon – RS Aero Owner details what a new sailor can expect from the class

I have been lucky enough to race the RS Aero in four events over the last few years, each time I was able to avail of RS Sailing’s generous charter scheme (their shore side support at the events is also second to none).

My first impressions of the boat were extremely positive. Cockpit layout is well thought out, outhaul and cunningham very close to your forward hand for easy adjustment – and my favourite the water bottle holder at the back!

I remember thinking that it was in effect a modern laser, it’s not! It is a very different boat, one that needs to be sailed to understood. The boat is really rewarding to sail, upwind, it responds well to body movement and sail control. Reaching, it has a bit of get up and go, she planes easily. Downwind, she responds well to changes in angles and gusts – Loads of gains to be made on the runs with good positioning and technique.

After my first sail in the Aero, I was hooked, the purchase decision was made. It took a little longer to persuade my partner – not much to be fair.  Racing in the class is very competitive, but there is a good spread of abilities – so wherever you end up in the fleet there will be close racing. The top sailors in the class are extremely generous in sharing their knowledge, so you can quickly get up to speed. This also makes the class a good class for the first steps into dinghy racing.

Peter Barton (probably the fasted Aero sailor about) will often give a detailed introduction to the boat along with go-fast tips – similar to below;

Any of the Aero sailors are happy to help and offer useful bits of advice when needed.

I’m really looking forward to the first real Aero Class racing event in Ireland, without a doubt the boat is going to appeal to dinghy racers in the country. Early interest from the Irish dinghy sailors is strong and it will be a great opportunity to show any travelling U.K boats some Irish hospitality. - Paul