If you’re looking for a small sailboat that’s fun, easy to use, and full of smart features, the RS Zest is a fantastic choice. Whether you're brand new to sailing, teaching beginners, or want a fun family boat, the RS Zest is designed to make every trip on the water simple and enjoyable.

The RS Zest is a compact sailing dinghy—a small boat you can sail by yourself or with one or two other people. Even though it’s small, it offers lots of space, smart safety features, and is very easy to handle.

Unlike some older boats that feel cramped or are tricky to manage, the RS Zest was created with modern sailors in mind. It fits 1 to 3 people comfortably, so you can sail solo or take a friend or child with you.

Easy and Comfortable for Beginners

Learning how to sail should be fun, not frustrating. That’s why the RS Zest was made with beginners and instructors in mind. It’s easy to get in and out of the boat, thanks to the built-in handles and low, stable design.

There’s a high boom (the pole that holds the bottom of the sail), which gives your head plenty of room. This is great for avoiding bumps and injuries, especially for kids and new sailors.

The boat also has a centerboard instead of a daggerboard. This means if you sail into shallow water and the bottom hits something, the board can swing up instead of getting stuck or damaged.

Comfortable Seating and Smart Design

The RS Zest has a sculpted thwart seat across the middle of the cockpit (the open space where you sit). It’s a comfy place for smaller crew members to sit if they don’t want to lean out of the boat. This seat can even be used for rowing if you buy the optional oars.

There are also side-seats and side-decks that give you more room to move and sit comfortably. The foot straps are placed just right so that you can hike out (lean your body weight over the side) safely and easily.

This smart layout means you don’t need to be super flexible or experienced to feel in control. Everything feels natural when you’re sailing the Zest.

Tough and Low-Maintenance

The RS Zest is made from rotomolded polyethylene, which means it’s extremely tough and almost maintenance-free. You don’t have to worry about painting or polishing it like you would with older fiberglass boats.

It’s built using RS Sailing’s 3-layer Comptec PE3 construction. This includes a tough outer skin, a foam middle layer for stiffness and buoyancy, and a strong inner skin. The boat is strong where it needs to be, light enough to move easily, and able to handle the bumps and scrapes of everyday use.

Brass inserts are even molded into the hull to make fittings stronger and longer-lasting.

Also Check Out: RS CAT 14

Safety First

Sailing is more fun when you feel safe. The RS Zest includes capsize recovery handles on the bottom of the hull. If the boat flips over (which happens sometimes in sailing), these handles help you flip it back up quickly and easily.

There’s also a special mast step and gate system that makes it simple to raise and lower the mast. This makes rigging (setting up the boat) quick and safe, even for first-timers.

Another great feature is the kick-up rudder. This means the rudder can lift if it hits the ground, helping prevent damage and making it easier to get the boat in and out of the water.

Fast and Fun to Sail

Just because the RS Zest is beginner-friendly doesn’t mean it’s boring. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. It’s a blast to sail!

Whether you're sailing with the main sail alone or using the optional jib for two-person sailing, the boat handles well in all kinds of weather. It performs like a much larger boat but stays light and responsive, which means it's fun for everyone, from kids to adults.

Even in choppy water, the boat stays balanced and stable. It’s perfect for learning how to tack, gybe, and steer. More experienced sailors will love how smooth it feels, and instructors will appreciate how forgiving it is for new learners.

Key Specs at a Glance

• Crew: 1–3 people
• Construction: RS Comptec PE3 rotomolded polyethylene
• Beam (width): 1.47 meters (about 4 ft 10 in)
• Sail area: 6.9 m² (main and jib) or 3.59 m² (main alone)
• Hull weight: 150 lb
• Length: 11 ft 9 in
• Centreboard: Pivoting (not daggerboard)
• Rudder: Kick-up design
• Mast stepping: Easy hinge system
• Available accessories: Jib kit, oars and oarlocks, sail bag

A Great Choice for Camps, Clubs, and Families

Because it’s so tough, safe, and easy to use, the RS Zest is perfect for sailing camps, training centers, and clubs. Instructors love the boat because it helps new sailors feel confident right away.

Families also love the RS Zest because it’s fun for both kids and adults. It’s light enough for one person to move around, but strong enough to handle years of sailing fun.

You can even store it outside with little worry about damage. And because it’s simple to rig and launch, you can spend less time setting up and more time sailing.

RS Zest Is Ready for You

The RS Zest comes complete with a main sail, foils, control lines, and sail bag. The jib kit is sold separately, so you can upgrade when you're ready.

Even better, free shipping is available within 100 miles of the store. Just contact your local RS dealer if you need shipping beyond that range.

Whether you’re teaching a child to sail, helping new sailors at a club, or just want a fun boat for yourself, the RS Zest is an amazing choice. It’s safe, stable, roomy, and—best of all—a ton of fun.