Please select your home edition
Edition
RS Sailing 2021 - LEADERBOARD




RS' marine group of companies expands with (Pico making) Ocean Play

by RS Sailing 17 Nov 2022 01:00 PST 16 November 2022
Boat manufacturing facility Roto in Slovenia © RS Sailing

RS' marine group of companies is expanding with the newly formed Ocean Play. The new company, which is collaboration between RS and Jo Richards, is now manufacturing Picos, Bugs, Bahias and Vagos, with delivery expected in late January 2023.

The move, which is set to delight sailing schools and recreational boaters the world over, comes after successful litigation against Laser Performance. This enabled Jo Richards (designer of the four boats) to approach RS to take up the production challenge in August 2022.

As well as manufacturing to Jo Richards' original design, Ocean Play will be offering worldwide customer services for all four boats.

Neil Coxon will head up Ocean Play. Coxon is the ex-Director of Sailing, Oman Sail and he previously ran the SailLaser operation. Familiar with the original Laser's ethos, Coxon intimately knows the products and dealer networks.

"I am delighted to be part of Ocean Play," says Coxon. "These boats have enabled so many people around the world to discover their love of sailing and their demand is still very much alive. I am looking forward to the future of Ocean Play and working with our appointed dealer network."

Alex Newton-Southern, Technical CEO for RS' marine group of businesses, says that elements of the Pico, Bug, Bahia and Vagos have been updated where appropriate, ready for the customers in the UK and overseas who have been seeking to replace their favourite classics.

"All of the sail designs have been refreshed, and the Picos' and Bugs' mainsails now come with vertical battens. This gives a more stable sail shape and makes them much easier to furl."

Ocean Play will initially continue to develop the brands' well established markets across Europe and look to other territories as 2023 progresses.

"There is also a vast opportunity in the spares business," says Jon Partridge, Commercial CEO for RS' marine group of businesses. "We're not underestimating the 50,000-ish boats already in use that all need replacement parts.

"Sailing schools are very attached to these boats. I grew up in a sailing school environment. In fact, that was my entry point to the trade. We used six Picos like every other school around the world. At the time they set a new benchmark in sailing school equipment."

Partridge says the appeal to sailing schools is multi-faceted. Schools are often wedded to the boats they've evolved with and have a raft of spares available. Some schools have 20-30 identical boats in a fleet, and when they need to replace just a few, they understandably don't want to go to a new craft. Bringing the old classics back to the production line, coupled with RS Sailing's experience in delivering high-quality, high-volume dinghies worldwide, is a recipe for success.

The four boats will continue to be made at Roto in Slovenia. Hyde Sails and Selden will both be involved in supplying Ocean Play (as they are for RS Sailing).

"Hundreds of thousands of young people have learnt to sail in Picos. We're excited that hundreds of thousands more will as well," says Partridge. "As these boats were designed by Jo (also the designer of many RS boats), they are incredibly simple and create a safe and comfortable environment for learning to sail. That's why they are so popular with clubs and, more importantly, with children and novice sailors."

Ocean Play's Picos, Bugs, Bahias and Vagos are set to complement RS Sailing's current fleet, which are renowned as durable, award-winning, and fun sailing dinghies. That the classic models are all being manufactured within the RS' marine group of businesses is a testament to the overall drive to offer the best quality, with the best designs and customer service, at the best price points for consumers.

Ocean Play's creation is typical of RS Sailing's ethos, looking to expand its group of marine companies as it seeks exciting opportunities to deliver against its environmental objectives. Earlier this year, RS's marine group of companies launched its first collaboration project with Cheetah Marine, the Cheetah Adventure 720 (a rugged EV-ready family catamaran launched at SIBS).

Additionally, RS Electric's Pulses were used by SailGP to support the European legs of its 2022 tour, and now RS Sailing is getting ready for the 2022 RS Venture Connect World Championship, to be held in Oman later this month (23 - 27 November 2022), in which almost 40 teams are expected to take part.

Related Articles

RS Sailing Newsletter: New Boat! RS CAT12
Also news on the RS21 & RS Venture World Championships The peppy younger sister of the RS CAT16 & RS CAT14, this catamaran brings simplicity back to entry-level sailing. It maintains many of its older siblings' trademark characteristics and adds some new innovative features. Posted on 20 Oct
RS Sailing Unveils the RS CAT12
A Dynamic Multihull Bringing Simplicity Back to CAT Sailing Simple, fun and zippy! The RS CAT12 brings buoyancy and easy handling to the catamaran sailing world. This latest design from RS Sailing bursts onto the scene as the peppy younger sibling of the RS CAT16 and RS CAT14. Posted on 29 Sep
RS Aero - Exclusive 10 year anniversary offer
Excitement is building towards the Southampton International Boat Show With the 2024 Southampton International Boat Show only two weeks away, excitement is building at RS Sailing for the opportunity to welcome visitors onto their magenta carpet and talk all things RS. Posted on 2 Sep
The RS Aero – 10 years on
It's been quite a decade for the iconic British-built single-hander The RS Aero celebrates its tenth birthday this year. It's been quite a decade for the iconic British-built single-hander and it's inspiring to see a new RS dinghy be the catalyst for creating one of the most vibrant single-handed classes in the world. Posted on 27 Aug
RS21 selected for the ASEAN Cup
Ideal for multi-location format as six boats can be packed into one shipping container The ASEAN Cup will start the first leg of the competition in Melaka, Malaysia in October, before it moves onto Shenzhen, China in November and then Koh Kong, Cambodia in March 2025. The RS21 is the ideal fit for this multi-location format. Posted on 26 Jul
BJ HHH announced as China RS Sailing Distributor
The first shipment of boats is due to arrive in China this month Beijing HHH Sports Technology Co. Ltd. (BJ HHH) is officially announced as the new Chinese distributor for RS Sailing as the first shipment of boats is due to arrive in China this month. Posted on 9 Jul
Truly inclusive Championships for 2024
RS Venture Connect Worlds and the Inclusive Keelboat Championship to be hosted by Rutland SC The globally renowned brand RS Sailing is thrilled to be supporting a combined Worlds and International Championship that features classifications so virtually any sailor can compete - making it the first of its kind for a truly inclusive, unified event. Posted on 27 Jun
RS Fest Miami brings RS Sailing festival to USA
Miami's party vibes embraced with an exciting racing programme RS Fest Miami celebrated the RS Sailing community in the United States over the Easter weekend, hosting the first ever multi-fleet RS regatta to take place in North America. Posted on 15 Apr
Are you ready for the biggest celebration of RS?
Join us for a weekend of multi-fleet racing, epic socials and a few birthday surprises Entries are open for the 30th Anniversary Regatta at Hayling Island Sailing Club, 17th - 19th May. Join us for a weekend of multi-fleet racing, epic socials and a few birthday surprises along the way. Posted on 23 Mar
Entries Open for the RS 30th Anniversary Regatta
Taking place at Hayling Island Sailing Club, 17th-19th May 2024 Entries are open for the much-anticipated RS Sailing 30th Anniversary Regatta at Hayling Island Sailing Club, 17th - 19th May 2024. Posted on 6 Mar
RS Sailing 2021 - FOOTER