RS Quest Sailboat Review

We review the RS Quest. How it sails, what its strengths and weaknesses are, and whether or not it's a good value boat for the money. And we go sailing.

[@nickgoodall578]

"I like sailing!" I felt that. On my deathbed, am I going to fondly remember all the quality time I spent on sanding grotty varnish and cleaning brushes?

[@m.cooper1854]

I have just finished our third summer sailing our Quest at our lake house in Ontario Canada. We have been sailing since 1978, so going back to a centreboard dinghy was logical if you like sailing more than you love boats. My conclusion is that the Quest is best suited as a training boat for younger, more agile sailors. It has a very sophisticated rig and adjustments, including a reverse boom vang (gnav bar), a loose-footed, very stiff to handle performance mainsail, and, in our experience, a necessarily two-person boat with an obstructing centre cross beam dividing the cockpit. It is not the laid-back daysailer that I had intended to take the grandchildren out on the lake. That said, it is a very well-built, easily maintained and fun dinghy. Interestingly, your UK-built combo trailer is not sold in the U.S. or Canada. Hope you have a good Spring in N.Z.

[@timmooney6560]

Hi Grant, I have a new Quest sitting in my garage due in part to your excellent series. I was looking for an easily managed dinghy for exploring the Bay of Islands (New Zealand) with the occasional overnight camping trip. I have dabbled with 14’ wooden boats and love their character but the completeness of a new boat and ease of care suits me better. I really enjoy your video’s so please keep it going.

[@sublimesailingnewzealand5653]

Hi Tim! Thanks so much for your encouragement! Wooden boats have an aesthetic that can't be replicated by other materials, for sure! Bay of Islands would be glorious for scrooching around in a Quest! Get it out into the water! Thanks again, Grant

[@richardbounds4098]

The issue with wear on the trailer is surprising as these trailers are completely ubiquitous in UK dinghy sailing and I'm not aware of it being a common problem here. I wonder whether running a tight strap over the bow, under the trailer and over the trolley would clamp it all together and remove the reliance on that spring clip/pin when you're trailing the boat.

[@MrRdelisle]

Hi Grant, we are gathering a few older less mobile people who like to sail. The Quest sounds like it will suit them .

[@sublimesailingnewzealand5653]

Hey there! Yep, ideal.

[@benwiles1516]

Hi Grant, looks like you’ve been having heaps of fun in Sublime. I’ve seen you get becalmed once or twice and was wondering if you had considered adding the outboard bracket and an outboard?

[@sublimesailingnewzealand5653]

Hi Ben! Yep, it's been an issue. We're currently looking at different options, we might get hold of a Temo and give it a nudge. That said, it rolls along pretty well with a paddle as well.

[@shanecraig4331]

Thanks for the videos. How do you go with the Quests weight launching by yourself? Also did you consider any of the other RS models and why did you end up with the Quest? Thanks

[@sublimesailingnewzealand5653]

Hey! The weight's fine, wouldn't go any bigger though. Our boat ramps/slipways where we live aren't very steep though. We had a think about a Feva (too small) and a Venture (way to heavy for one person). Also looked at the Topper equivalent. Cheers!

[@stevedawson7807]

Hi Grant, I noticed in this review you show that you are single handling the quest and appear to have ventured out alone with the trailer. Do you set the mast up on your own. If so could you do a video on this. I have just bought the quest and struggle with this and always need help albeit it does have a RS mast float at the top which makes the top end heavier. Would be keen to hear your view on this.

[@sublimesailingnewzealand5653]

Hi Steve, yep, definitely throw the mast up myself. I'm not particularly strong, more of an office-jockey really, will throw up a vid in the next few weeks.

[@stevedawson7807]

Thanks mate, look forward to it. great videos keep up the great work.

[@DominicNSX]

Can you reef the mainsail?

[@sublimesailingnewzealand5653]

Hi Dominic, yep! Sure can!