Every summer, thousands of Americans leave their houses in towns and cities and head to their summer houses on lakes or rivers, near the beach or in the mountains. What these second abodes are called, however, has long been the subject of debate. Ask someone in Maine and they are heading to their camp, a person in North Carolina and they’re going to their cottage, someone in Oregon is traveling to their cabin. Everyone else fills in the gaps with a variety of beach and lake houses. No matter the label you give it, these summer residences are a home away from home. A place where you fish, swim, sail, hike, watch sunsets, and enjoy all the joys of summer. With boats that are simple to use and incredibly low maintenance, RS is the perfect place to find a sailboat for your summer getaway. We’ve compiled a list of our best boats for any cottage… or camp or cabin or lake house, you know what we mean.
RS Toura
RS Toura – The Toura is the newest edition to the RS range. A newfound favorite for sailing schools and junior program, the Toura is also great for large families looking to get out on the water together. With a large, stable hull, the Toura has space for up to 7 crew, but can be sailed easily with only 2. Families can comfortably tour coastal waters and beyond with confidence. A reefable mainsail, asymmetric spinnaker, enviable stowage and an optional outboard allows any family to customize the boat to their unique needs.
RS Zest
RS Zest – A much more compact boat, the Zest is a tried and true favorite of families and young sailors. The Zest can comfortably fit two sailors, yet is small enough for convenient single-handing. Sailors can customize the boat with a choice of secure inner and outboard seating areas; the 3-stage sitting positions to build confidence and encourage progression. The Zest also features molded-in grab points for the skipper and crew to make it easier to get aboard after a capsize. This feature is especially handy (see what we did there) for summer house boats that seem to spend more time being capsized than actually sailed upright.
RS Neo
RS Neo – The only true single hander on our list, the Neo is known for easy handling, dazzling performance and true durability. Far more affordable than other similar single handers, the Neo offers a step-up in speed without the demands of more radical designs. Sailors will find true exhilaration bombing across lakes, rivers, beaches, etc. on this light and responsive boat. The two-part mast makes it easier to store and assemble. Plus, the boat is car-top compatible so can travel wherever you go. Conveniently located controls makes it easy to adjust as you sail without any delay.
RS Feva
RS Feva – Known around the world as a leading double handed race dinghy, the Feva is just as much at home as a summer house cruiser. Young and old sailors alike can enjoy the action and fun of high adrenaline sailing in the Feva. Featuring a large cockpit compared to its overall size, it can accommodate a wide array of sailor combos: single-handing adult, two youth sailors, a parent-child duo. Plus, like almost all of the boats on this list (minus the Venture), the Feva is made from rotomolded polyethylene, making it almost maintenance free, a must for any summer house sailboat.
RS Quest
RS Quest – The Quest is a true feat in the space of modern family dinghies. Big enough for five, the Quest is ideal for families with small kids or groups of friends to go out and enjoy life afloat. With ample stowage space, it is great for packing picnics or supplies for coastline adventures and exploring local waters. The large, self-draining cockpit keeps sailors dry while the available additions of an asymmetrical spinnaker and trapeze keeps things exciting. The Quest has everything you want in a summer boat, fun and exciting, yet practical and safe.
RS Venture
RS Venture – The largest boat on this list, the Venture, has space for up to 8 sailors in its huge, self-draining cockpit. The boat can be customized to your specific needs with the option for either a standard or ballasted centerboard. This boat is ideal for sailing on estuaries and coastal waters with exceptional stability and stowage for anything you could need for a day’s adventure. Made from fiberglass, the Venture
requires slightly more maintenance than the other boats listed, but its benefits far outweigh the minimal extra effort required to store and maintain.
RS CAT14 & RS CAT16
RS CAT 14/16 – Catamarans have long been known as ideal summer house sailboats. With the ability to sail right up to the beach, Cats are a no brainer for families looking to buy a summer boat. With the CAT 14 and CAT 16, RS took the fun and performance to the next level. Using a design protected system for joining the beams, the CAT 14 offers increased stiffness compared to other Cats of similar size. The big sibling of the CAT 14, the CAT 16 can fit up to 5 crew. Both boats offer exhilarating performance and the ability to turbo charge by adding a gennaker and trapeze. Both boats can also be easily disassembled for transport or storage at the end of the season.
Finding the perfect boat for your summer house can be almost as difficult as deciding on what to call your summer house. Luckily, RS makes it easy. With a wide variety of boats, we have something that can fit any family and any place; regardless of whether it is a camp or a cottage or a lake house or a cabin… In fact, we guarantee that you will be so happy with your new boat that you’ll start calling it your RS boat house.
To learn more about these boats and more click HERE and to get started on finding the perfect boat for you, click HERE!
