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Home >> General Discussion >> RS Aero 6 - New Rig Adoption
RS AERO 6 - Numbers & Letters

Great to see the first batch of RS Aero 6 rigs starting to be delivered. We look forward to sailors enjoying them and their inclusion at events. Post your photos and experiences here!

PLEASE CHECK - that you have been supplied 230mm tall numbers, similar to the RS Aero 5. If you receive 300mm tall numbers (like the RS Aero 7 & 9) don't stick them on as they will not leave enough space to add the country letters underneath later. Contact your supplier or RS Sailing Customer Support <[email protected]> for a replacement set. When ordering letters for international events, be sure to order 230mm ones too.

The Class Rules have been edited to include the RS Aero 6, which are with World Sailing awaiting sign off before publishing. RS Sailing will update the Rigging Manual and the 'Numbers & Letters Instruction Leaflet' that accompanies the sail numbers to include the RS Aero 6.

Here is the relevant part of the revised Class Rules and Annex 2 image;

C.10.4 (a) MAINSAIL IDENTIFICATION
(ii) RRS Appendix G1.2 is amended as follows`:
All sail numbers shall be black and the same size and style as Originally Supplied. The RS Aero 5 and RS Aero 6 shall comply with the specifications in the RRS Appendix G1.2 for boats under 3.5 metres (namely use minimum 230mm high sail numbers and letters with a spacing between adjoining characters of minimum 45mm). The RS Aero 7 & RS Aero 9 shall comply with the specifications in the RRS Appendix G1.2 for boats not under 3.5 metres (namely use minimum 300mm high sail numbers and letters with a spacing between adjoining characters of minimum 60mm). 
(iii) The sail numbers shall be displayed on each side of the mainsail within the top two-thirds of the section between the 3rd and 4th batten down, and according to the position that is shown in Annex 2 below.
 [*starboard side higher]
(v) RRS Appendix G1.1 (b) and G.1.3(c) are amended as follows.
When used, the national letters of the crew shall be black, shall be the same size and spacing as the sail numbers, and displayed only in the relevant area shown in Annex 2 below - above and below the bottom batten pocket with the letters on the starboard side being higher and adjacent and above the batten pocket, and the letters on the port side being adjacent and below the pocket.


LOWER MAST - The RS Aero 6 lower mast is being delivered unbranded as it is a shared design with the RS Neo. I have queried with RS Sailing whether a simple '6' sticker within a pink RS Aero circle can be added to maintain branding, match the existing rigs and help ease of identification.



Reply
30/04/2022 18:04:00
Peter Barton
Posts: 4674
Loving trying the RS Aero 6 demo rigs out on breezy days!

Photos thanks to Richard Russell, from Lymington Town SC balcony



Reply
15/02/2022 23:57:00
Peter Barton
Posts: 4674
RS Aero 6 Class at the 2022 RS Aero European Championship, Weymouth, UK, 1-5 Aug

Great to see the first ever RS Aero 6 entry to a Championship!

Online entry is now open for the RS GAMES 2022 at Weymouth, UK, which over a two week period includes the RS Aero Youth World Championship 25-29th July and the RS Aero European Championship 1-5th August. The RS Aero Europeans will include the new RS Aero 6 fleet! A good 'early bird' offer is available on the entry fees until the end of February - so get your entries in promptly to secure that nice discount!

ONLINE ENTRY, NOR & INFO on the RS Games website.



Reply
03/02/2022 14:18:00
Peter Barton
Posts: 4674
RS Aero 6 handicap debut at King George Gallop

Two RS Aero 6 demo rigs stepped up at King George Gallop with a mixed class fleet of 70 boats. Sam and Sam held their own in the light breezes, mostly bouncing around the mid fleet. The highlights were Sam Mettam's 14th in race 1 and hanging with the RS Aero 7s at times.
RESULTS

Three RS Aero 6 demo rigs are available on loan for the Tiger Tropghy (*2 remaining) and the RS Aero UK Winter Champs at the Oxford Blue (*just 1 remaining). Please email me if you would like to reserve one to try ithe RS Aero 6 out at one of these events.
Selden SailJuice Series



Reply
03/02/2022 14:05:00
Peter Barton
Posts: 4674
RS Aero 6 to make handicap debut at King George Gallop

Three demo RS Aero 6 rigs are set to take on the 70 boat mixed fleet in London this weekend;
If you are interested in trying out the RS Aero 6 at a mixed class event this winter or spring contact me to book.
Check out the UK Event List for fixfures. Coming up there is Northampton 30 Jan and Rutland on 5/6 Feb for those in the midlands and north, the Sailing Southwest series for those in ther southwest and events at Oxford 19 Feb and Frensham on 6 March for those in the south.

Photo by Richard Edwards; Sunrise on New Years Day at Keyhaven where the RS Aero 6 sported its PURPLE identification flash for the first time!



Reply
19/01/2022 13:33:00
Peter Barton
Posts: 4674
RS Aero 6 - New Rig Adoption

RS AERO 6 UK NATIONALS -
It is our hope and intention that the 2022 UK Nationals at Paignton on 28-31 May will be the first Championship to include a new fleet of RS Aero 6s.
Sailors hoping to compete will need to get their order in promptly though, before the waiting list extends beyond that date.

UK purchasers can order by calling RS Sailing on 01794526760.
Non UK buyers contact your local RS dealer; https://www.rssailing.com/dealers/




Reply
17/12/2021 12:29:00
Peter Barton
Posts: 4674
RS Aero 6 - New Rig Adoption 

ORDER -
New rigs are available in the early part of 2022, with several bulk deliveries.
UK purchasers can call RS Sailing now on 01794 526760 to get your order in and name on the waiting list.
Non UK buyers contact your local RS dealer; https://www.rssailing.com/dealers/




Reply
15/12/2021 13:25:00
Peter Barton
Posts: 4674
RS Aero 6 prototype downwind through waves in a fresh breeze 

Noah Rees puts a prototype RS Aero 6 rig to the test in extreme conditions off Lymington, UK, Nov 2020; 

https://youtu.be/aswKEIM2rJo



Reply
13/12/2021 18:18:00
Peter Barton
Posts: 4674
RS Sailing announces the production launch of the RS Aero 6 rig
Inclusivity for for women and smaller men who have previously found themselves between rig sizes.

https://www.yachtsandyachting.com/news/244674/RS-Sailing-launch-the-RS-Aero-6-rig

Photo; https://www.jasonludlow.com/




Reply
10/12/2021 14:12:00
Peter Barton
Posts: 4674
Mike0rea,
Based on the UK's RYA PY Scheme we have been using a 'Class Recommended' number of 1100, which is simply exactly half way between the RS Aero 5 & 7. Based on results so far using the latest prototype rigs at PY RS Aero events and some club racing that seems to be working well.
Interestingly, that is the exacty the same as the full rig Laser, although the sailor weight of the RS Aero 6 similar to a Laser Radial sailor.

Similarly, I would currently recommend any country, region or club with their own local yardstick numbering scheme to place the RS Aero 6's yardstick half way between the RS Aero 5 & 7 yardsticks.
Therefore, based on the UK's alternative Great Lakes Handicaps scheme (used at UK's winter SailJuice events) the Class would recommend 1104 as a good start point whilst data is accumulated.

For more official numbers in the UK we will have to wait a while as race data is accumulated.
The RS Aero 6 might hope to have a fully fledged formal UK RYA PY at their Feb 2023 update and hopefully a UK Great Lakes Handicap number sooner.



Reply
08/12/2021 13:01:00
Peter Barton
Posts: 4674
Do we have a PY number for the RS AERO 6?


Reply
08/12/2021 09:07:00
Mike0rea
Posts: 58
RS Aero 6 - New Rig Adoption

Following an extensive period of consideration, trialling, testing and consulting the UK RS Aero Class agreed at its 2021 AGM to propose the adoption of the RS Aero 6 rig to the International RS Aero Class. The UK Class' proposal was sent to the RS Aero leaders of every nation with 1% or more of the world's RS Aeros for them to seek the opinion of their committees, Class members or owners as appropriate for each evolving RS Aero nation. The responses were overwhelmingly positive in support of the UK Class' proposal to adopt the new rig size with many very keen and just a few comments of caution. The result is clearly conclusive for adoption.
 
The RS Aero 6 size fits a highly populated space where there is an evident gap between the RS Aero 5 & 7 rig sizes. A large number of current and future RS Aero owners are eager to have one which will grow the new RS Aero 6 fleet and with it the RS Aero Class as a whole.

Every fleet, club, region or nation can make their own decision on how they want to race and split their fleets appropriately for their spread of sailors and overall numbers. Many nations already run combined scoring, both Class and corrected time racing, which gives the best of both worlds and allows easy integration. Whilst continuing our ethos of being unrestrictive, we might expect a focus of the RS Aero 5 to be for younger sailors and the RS Aero 6 for small adults (particularly females). Additionally, it will provide inclusivity for a less physical alternative to the RS Aero 7 for ageing sailors and an attractive option for larger beginner sailors. This extra flexibility will also enable an important option for adults and youth who prefer to race in seperate fleets.

After a long period of consideration I feel the time is now right within the Class' evolvement and international support for the proposal.

RS Sailing are primed to begin production and to start taking orders. More exciting times ahead!

RS Aero 6 Photos



Reply
07/12/2021 23:57:00
Peter Barton
Posts: 4674


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