Sailing Raceboats provide sales and support for range of RS sailboats

by Richard Furneaux on 31 May 2016 Sailing Raceboats was established by Tom Pearce approximately four years ago to provide sales and support for a selected range of RS sailboats from the UK.

Starting with the RS200 and RS100 this rapidly expanded to include selected boats from the RS training/recreational range, the Feva, Quba, Vision and Quest plus the RS Aero which was released in July 2014. The RS Aero has already reached some significant milestones in its short lifespan to date - ISAF recognition and over 1000 boats sold worldwide. There are over 30 sailing so far in Australia.

Located in Melbourne, the Sailing Raceboats philosophy is based around sailing for everybody, offering an alternate pathway of boats than that offered by YA.

To support this a substantial amount of boats, sails and spare parts are held in Melbourne, with an additional support base in Perth for selected RS boats.

The range has expanded outside of the RS boats and now includes the Mackay 420. We work closely with the 420 Association with the supply of new and ex charter boats, plus keep a stock of Superspar masts and booms etc. In addition we provide charter boats for visiting 420 sailors to Australian events.

The Carter Optimist is also held in stock, along with spare parts. Plus we carry Dragon Training Optis.

We work closely with local clubs who have adopted RS boats. In Melbourne this is Black Rock YC (RS100s, 200s, Aeros and Quests), Royal Brighton YC (RS100s, Aeros, Fevas) and Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron (a growing fleet of juniors in the Aero 5)and are gradually expanding our reach into other clubs, particularly with the Aero. Our Juniors Sponsorship program for the RS Aero 5 is building the number of juniors with boats sailing in Victoria, Tasmania and WA.

In Sydney we supplied Drummoyne Sailing Club with a training fleet of four RS Fevas and two RS Visions using our 'Instant Fleet' discount program, this allowed DSC to purchase the boats at a significant saving and pay for them in four interest free instalments over 18 months.

Royal Freshwater Bay in Perth also bought a fleet of RS Fevas taking advantage of the same scheme.

We have agents in Queensland, Western Australia, New South Wales and Tasmania who are helping spread the word and are having some success, albeit slowly.

The target markets are;

- Juniors - transitioning from Optis, Bics, Minnows and Sabots and want an alternate pathway to the YA standard i.e. Laser 4.7, Laser etc. They can go into an Aero or Feva (or 420).

- Adults, male and female, looking for a fun sailing alternative that can also be raced at a very high standard. Can go into the Aero, Quest, RS200 or RS100,

- Clubs, Training Organisations (including the Naval Cadets) - the training boats include the Quba, Feva and Quest. The Quest has only arrived in Australia in the last two months. Designed in conjunction with the Royal Naval Cadets in the UK the RS Quest is a terrific all round training boat that is rotomoulded for long life and low maintenance.

All the details are here.

To look at the boats in detail and other information including pricing, specs and brochures visit website.