RS Sailing
Premier Way, Abbey Park
Romsey Hampshire SO51 9DQ
01794 526760
RS Sailing
Premier Way, Abbey Park
Romsey Hampshire SO51 9DQ
01794 526760

RS21 Club Keelboat Launch – an emotive process

January 18, 2018
RS21 Club Keelboat Launch – an emotive process

Our brand new keelboat was launched at Düsseldorf Boat Show this weekend, designed to bring wider availability and popularity back to keelboat racing.

Jon Partridge – Managing Director (Sales) talks us through the emotive process.

“There is something unbelievably special about launching a new boat at a Boat Show. The journey is always an emotional roller-coaster and getting the RS21 to Düsseldorf was no different.

At RS Sailing we have had the privilege of launching many boats over the last two years, the RS21 unveiling at BOOT Düsseldorf did not disappoint as we received messages of people flying in from around the world to view the boat.

Standing on the RS Sailing Düsseldorf stand 30 minutes before the show opened, it was hard to control the emotions of excitement, expectation and fear as we are never sure how the market will receive a new boat. I may have shed a tear or two! This was RS Sailing’s new adventure into the club keelboat market. After three years of researching the market, a huge amount of time has gone in to designing and developing a boat that we are unbelievably proud of, a boat we believe can change the outlook of club keelboat racing. The RS21 truly stood out amongst the other small keelboats at the show. Her up to date lines were surely going to make her a star of the show as she stood on the stunning RS Sailing stand.

As the show opened and the steps to the view platform filled up we knew we we going to have a great day. All day long we received fantastic feedback about how she looks, the space in the cockpit, the super smart Torqeedo retractable saildrive and the great value the RS21 offers.”

Another view

“I was absolutely blown away by the RS Sailing’s adaptation of a electric Torqeedo outboard into a retractable saildrive system. This feature is going to make the RS21 stand head and shoulders above the competition.” Dr Christoph Ballin (CEO of Torqeedo)

Jon continues

“At 5pm with worn out voices and tired feet, DJ Henk (an RS Legend) got the RS21 launch party started! Many customers and friends joined us for a few beers as we prepared for the Facebook Live launch.

It is hard to explain the relief as we finish the Facebook Live to a round of applause from our friends on the stand. The RS21 was launched and at the end of the first day it was an amazing feeling to have 12 orders in the bag.

The RS Sailing development team had pushed themselves to the limit for us to be able to launch the RS21 at BOOT Düsseldorf, they have created a beautiful keelboat that is going to have a dramatic effect on club keelboat racing across the globe.”

Click here for further information on boat specifications and features

SUBSCRIBE

  • Sign up for RS stories, offers, epic wipeout videos and much more!
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Ben Willows Appointed CEO of RS Marine Group, Embarking on Next Chapter of Strategic Growth

RS Marine Group is proud to announce the appointment of Ben Willows as its new Chief Executive Officer. A seasoned executive leader with over 20 years of experience, Ben brings not only a proven...

Growing with RS Sailing: An Interview with Liam Willis

Liam Willis, Keelboat Manager and Technical Support Specialist at RS Sailing, has been a lifelong sailor and passionate advocate for the sport. With a personal sailing history that spans nearly the...

Introducing the RS Aira 22 – A New Daysailer in our Adventure Range

We are proud to announce the addition of the RS Aira 22 to our cruising portfolio, as we take on the build license, distribution, marketing and sales from Aira Boats. This keelboat represents a...

One Sport on Swiss Waters: Swiss SailGP Team X Swiss Disabled Sailing

Last month, Swiss SailGP Team athletes Arnaud Psarofaghis (wing trimmer), Bryan Mettraux (flight controller) and Arno de Planta (reserve and pathway athlete), joined Swiss Disabled...
RS 200 - Fleet

RS Sailing Store named as Official Chandlery Partner for UK RS National Championships

The UK RS Class Association is thrilled to announce that RS Sailing Store will be the official chandlery partner for the noughty and RS Vareo class National Championships 2025. This collaboration...

Top 10 Accessories for the RS Quest

The RS Quest has been a trusted training dinghy for over a decade and we’re celebrating its 10-year anniversary in 2025. Known for its durability and versatility, this best-seller is ideal for...

How To Get Started with Catamaran Sailing: Top Tips for Beginners

Sailing a catamaran is an exhilarating and rewarding experience, offering the thrill of speed, stability, and a unique way to explore the water. If you’re thinking about learning how to sail on a...

RS Feva National Championships: Big Winds, Fancy Dress & Competitive Racing

The sun might have stayed hidden this bank holiday weekend, but the wind certainly showed up in force for the 2025 RS Feva National Championships. Over 90 dinghies from across the UK gathered at...

From Zero to Fleet: RS Feva Ignites a New Era of Youth Racing in Turkey

The RS Feva is making waves in Turkey, thanks to the strategic efforts of Performans Yelken and its founder, İsmail Uzunlar, the official RS Sailing dealer in the country. Since joining the RS...

RS Tera Worlds 2025 – 5 Great Reasons To Join!

The countdown is on! The International RS Tera Class Association is excited about the RS Tera World Championship, happening from August 3rd – 8th 2025 on the shores of Lake Lipno in the Czech...

Growing with RS Sailing: An Interview with Liam Willis

Liam Willis, Keelboat Manager and Technical Support Specialist at RS Sailing, has been a lifelong sailor and passionate advocate for the sport. With a personal sailing history that spans nearly the...

Introducing the RS Aira 22 – A New Daysailer in our Adventure Range

We are proud to announce the addition of the RS Aira 22 to our cruising portfolio, as we take on the build license, distribution, marketing and sales from Aira Boats. This keelboat represents a...

One Sport on Swiss Waters: Swiss SailGP Team X Swiss Disabled Sailing

Last month, Swiss SailGP Team athletes Arnaud Psarofaghis (wing trimmer), Bryan Mettraux (flight controller) and Arno de Planta (reserve and pathway athlete), joined Swiss Disabled...
RS 200 - Fleet

RS Sailing Store named as Official Chandlery Partner for UK RS National Championships

The UK RS Class Association is thrilled to announce that RS Sailing Store will be the official chandlery partner for the noughty and RS Vareo class National Championships 2025. This collaboration...

Top 10 Accessories for the RS Quest

The RS Quest has been a trusted training dinghy for over a decade and we’re celebrating its 10-year anniversary in 2025. Known for its durability and versatility, this best-seller is ideal for...

How To Get Started with Catamaran Sailing: Top Tips for Beginners

Sailing a catamaran is an exhilarating and rewarding experience, offering the thrill of speed, stability, and a unique way to explore the water. If you’re thinking about learning how to sail on a...

RS Feva National Championships: Big Winds, Fancy Dress & Competitive Racing

The sun might have stayed hidden this bank holiday weekend, but the wind certainly showed up in force for the 2025 RS Feva National Championships. Over 90 dinghies from across the UK gathered at...

From Zero to Fleet: RS Feva Ignites a New Era of Youth Racing in Turkey

The RS Feva is making waves in Turkey, thanks to the strategic efforts of Performans Yelken and its founder, İsmail Uzunlar, the official RS Sailing dealer in the country. Since joining the RS...

RS Tera Worlds 2025 – 5 Great Reasons To Join!

The countdown is on! The International RS Tera Class Association is excited about the RS Tera World Championship, happening from August 3rd – 8th 2025 on the shores of Lake Lipno in the Czech...

15% Off New Sails with Early Bird Entry to the 2025 UK Nationals

Are you gearing up for one of the 2025 RS Class Association UK Nationals? Here’s an exclusive offer to help you hit the start line with fresh sails. RS Sailing Store is offering 15% off new sails...

Introducing the RS Aira 22 – A New Daysailer in our Adventure Range

We are proud to announce the addition of the RS Aira 22 to our cruising portfolio, as we take on the build license, distribution, marketing and sales from Aira Boats. This keelboat represents a...

One Sport on Swiss Waters: Swiss SailGP Team X Swiss Disabled Sailing

Last month, Swiss SailGP Team athletes Arnaud Psarofaghis (wing trimmer), Bryan Mettraux (flight controller) and Arno de Planta (reserve and pathway athlete), joined Swiss Disabled...
RS 200 - Fleet

RS Sailing Store named as Official Chandlery Partner for UK RS National Championships

The UK RS Class Association is thrilled to announce that RS Sailing Store will be the official chandlery partner for the noughty and RS Vareo class National Championships 2025. This collaboration...

Top 10 Accessories for the RS Quest

The RS Quest has been a trusted training dinghy for over a decade and we’re celebrating its 10-year anniversary in 2025. Known for its durability and versatility, this best-seller is ideal for...

How To Get Started with Catamaran Sailing: Top Tips for Beginners

Sailing a catamaran is an exhilarating and rewarding experience, offering the thrill of speed, stability, and a unique way to explore the water. If you’re thinking about learning how to sail on a...

RS Feva National Championships: Big Winds, Fancy Dress & Competitive Racing

The sun might have stayed hidden this bank holiday weekend, but the wind certainly showed up in force for the 2025 RS Feva National Championships. Over 90 dinghies from across the UK gathered at...

From Zero to Fleet: RS Feva Ignites a New Era of Youth Racing in Turkey

The RS Feva is making waves in Turkey, thanks to the strategic efforts of Performans Yelken and its founder, İsmail Uzunlar, the official RS Sailing dealer in the country. Since joining the RS...

RS Tera Worlds 2025 – 5 Great Reasons To Join!

The countdown is on! The International RS Tera Class Association is excited about the RS Tera World Championship, happening from August 3rd – 8th 2025 on the shores of Lake Lipno in the Czech...

15% Off New Sails with Early Bird Entry to the 2025 UK Nationals

Are you gearing up for one of the 2025 RS Class Association UK Nationals? Here’s an exclusive offer to help you hit the start line with fresh sails. RS Sailing Store is offering 15% off new sails...

15th RS Tera Eric Twiname Scheme

We are delighted to announce that they will be collaborating with the Eric Twiname Trust for the 15th ET RS Tera Scheme to facilitate the use of RS Tera's in clubs across the UK in 2025.  ...

One Sport on Swiss Waters: Swiss SailGP Team X Swiss Disabled Sailing

Last month, Swiss SailGP Team athletes Arnaud Psarofaghis (wing trimmer), Bryan Mettraux (flight controller) and Arno de Planta (reserve and pathway athlete), joined Swiss Disabled...
RS 200 - Fleet

RS Sailing Store named as Official Chandlery Partner for UK RS National Championships

The UK RS Class Association is thrilled to announce that RS Sailing Store will be the official chandlery partner for the noughty and RS Vareo class National Championships 2025. This collaboration...

Top 10 Accessories for the RS Quest

The RS Quest has been a trusted training dinghy for over a decade and we’re celebrating its 10-year anniversary in 2025. Known for its durability and versatility, this best-seller is ideal for...

How To Get Started with Catamaran Sailing: Top Tips for Beginners

Sailing a catamaran is an exhilarating and rewarding experience, offering the thrill of speed, stability, and a unique way to explore the water. If you’re thinking about learning how to sail on a...

RS Feva National Championships: Big Winds, Fancy Dress & Competitive Racing

The sun might have stayed hidden this bank holiday weekend, but the wind certainly showed up in force for the 2025 RS Feva National Championships. Over 90 dinghies from across the UK gathered at...

From Zero to Fleet: RS Feva Ignites a New Era of Youth Racing in Turkey

The RS Feva is making waves in Turkey, thanks to the strategic efforts of Performans Yelken and its founder, İsmail Uzunlar, the official RS Sailing dealer in the country. Since joining the RS...

RS Tera Worlds 2025 – 5 Great Reasons To Join!

The countdown is on! The International RS Tera Class Association is excited about the RS Tera World Championship, happening from August 3rd – 8th 2025 on the shores of Lake Lipno in the Czech...

15% Off New Sails with Early Bird Entry to the 2025 UK Nationals

Are you gearing up for one of the 2025 RS Class Association UK Nationals? Here’s an exclusive offer to help you hit the start line with fresh sails. RS Sailing Store is offering 15% off new sails...

15th RS Tera Eric Twiname Scheme

We are delighted to announce that they will be collaborating with the Eric Twiname Trust for the 15th ET RS Tera Scheme to facilitate the use of RS Tera's in clubs across the UK in 2025.  ...
RS Aero Trials

It’s 6 years since the RS Aero won the 2024 Olympic Men’s and Women’s One Person Dinghy Equipment trials

It's been 6 years since the RS Aero won the 2024 Olympic Men's and Women's One Person Dinghy Equipment trials!   Over half a decade on it's a hotly contested topic, but we're still rightly so...

Pin It on Pinterest