RS 500

RS 500

Solid. Fast. Fun. The 500 sets the bar.

Overview

The RS 500 offers the performance of a skiff - in a more accessible, manageable and low maintenance package. A less exotic tapered aluminum mast, durable sails, and overbuilt fiberglass hull provide years of durability and fun for individuals and clubs. The 500 is also one of the only boats in this class with sail sail size options. The XL and the S sails offer different amounts of power depending on local conditions and the combined weight of the sailors. What the 500 does well, is combine fast with comfortable to allow new sailors to get into skiff style sailing. It’s just such a nice mix of performance, handling and not being too intense for ‘experts only’. It still has a learning curve to it, but it’s a big hull, not Everest.

• Speed and Handling
• Light, stiff and easily driven - the RS500 delivers performance with remarkably easy handling.
• An uncluttered and surprisingly spacious cockpit allow room to work - without bumping into your crew constantly.
• Low transom design makes climbing aboard after capsize easy.
• Pivoting centerboard and rudder for easy launching and recovery.
• Built to Perform
• Light - stiff - strong
• GRP composite is essential to provide the stiffness to weight ratio on a boat like this
• Mylar XL spec mainsail and jib for light weight, low stretch and top performance.
• Dacron S spec (smaller) mainsail and jib for low stretch, ease of use and durability - perfect for clubs that can’t justify skiff boat prices.
• Additional trapeze lines for double trapeze excitement

Specifications

• Length: 14'3"
• Beam: 5'2"
• Mainsail (XL): 100sq ft
• Mainsail (): 80sq ft
• Jib (XL): 37sq ft
• Jib (S): 31sq ft
• Spinnaker: 145sq ft
• Weight: 169lbs

Gallery

FAQs

How does the RS 500 compare to the 29er?

Though similar on paper, we find the 500 and 29er very different. The 500 is a much less complicated boat, but 5-10% slower. For most customers looking to blast around with a grin on their face - the speed difference is probably not noticeable. The 500 has a one piece aluminum mast, composite foils and a more stable hull design for someone getting into fast boat sailing. It’s less expensive with a solid parts supply chain.

Read Our RS 500 FAQs

Can you tell me a bit more about how ordering a boat works?

We can walk you through the process from start to finish. Below read our most Frequently Asked Questions that will answer a lot of your questions.

Read Our Boat Ordering FAQs

I've read all about your boats, but I still have questions... can you answer those?

Happily. And we feel you, it's not always easy to get all the information from a single webpage. We've prepared some FAQs to take the mystery out of researching our boats.

Read Our Sailboat FAQs

Boat Delivery is going to be expensive, isn't it?

Despite their size, we are able to ship most boats around North America safely and (relatively) inexpensively via direct delivery, contracted driver, or LTL shipment. Shipping rates and methods vary based on where you are located but will be calculated in the shopping cart once you enter a shipping address. To discuss shipping rates and methods prior to placing your order, please contact our team at boatsales@westcoastsailing.net.

Resources

• RS 500 Rigging Guide
• RS 500 Class Association

Why West Coast Sailing

We represent a dozen sailboat brands from all around the world. Our dinghy sailboat inventory is second to none, with at least 100 boats in stock in our warehouse at any time. Our staff has extensive experience sailing, racing, rigging, coaching and delivering boats worldwide. This is what we do:

• Selection – 70+ models of boats from manufacturers around the world.
• Service – Our staff is focused on helping you Own The Water.
• Experience – The team here has decades of experience on all types of dinghies.
• Inventory – Over $1million of boats and parts inventory in stock at all times.
• Logistics – We have experience shipping boats all over the world, at reasonable rates, quickly.
• Rigging – We rig most boats by hand, and stand behind our work.
• Long Term Support – We are a leader in our industry, and we didn't get here by cutting corners. We have your back.
• Apparel and Accessories – We have the apparel, accessories, trailers and dollies to go with each boat.

CURRENT LEAD TIME & AVAILABILITY

Due to the high demand for sailboat and kayak products, the team at West Coast Sailing is working hard to bring in as much inventory as possible. We receive multiple shipments over the course of the year with our allocated number of specific models and colors. Current and future availability changes often and we make every effort to post updates to our website. 

For the most up to date information or to place a deposit, please contact our team at boatsales@westcoastsailing.net

• Availability: IN STOCK - This indicates the option selected is physically in stock at our warehouse in Portland, OR for immediate shipping or in store pickup. Our team will contact you within one business day of receiving your order to discuss these details.
• Availability: PRE ORDER - This indicates the option selected is on one of our next shipments but has not yet be received. Please contact our team to place a deposit.
• Availability: SOLD OUT - This indicates the option selected is not currently available for preorder due to extended or unknown lead time.

If you see the 'ADD TO WISH LIST' button only (no 'ADD TO CART' button), this means the product is SOLD OUT. Please contact for details.