For many people, getting into sailing isn’t about learning the skills or finding the right club – it’s about logistics.
A common barrier to entry is transport. If you don’t have a tow bar, a road trailer, or the storage space that comes with owning one, getting a dinghy to the water can feel like a challenge before you’ve even hoisted a sail! That’s why lightweight, easy-to-handle boats are such an important part of making sailing more accessible.
Across the RS Sailing range, several dinghies are roof rack ready – meaning you can load them securely onto the top of your car, tie them down, drive to your destination, unload, rig, and get on the water without needing a trailer at all.
Heading to your local lake for an afternoon sail? Travelling to an event? Planning a family holiday by the coast? These boats make spontaneous sailing much easier. Less towing, less storage hassle, less complication – and more time on the water.
Here are five RS boats that make roof rack transport a realistic option for sailors looking for simplicity and flexibility.
RS Aero – Ultralight Freedom at Just 33kg
At only 33kg hull weight, the RS Aero remains one of the lightest performance dinghies in the world – and that changes everything when it comes to transport.
The lightweight hull can be lifted onto a roof rack with ease, making it ideal for sailors heading out for club racing, regional circuits, or bigger events further afield. If you’re travelling to championships, open meetings, or planning a summer road trip to the RS Games, the RS Aero makes travel remarkably straightforward.
RS CAT12 – Compact Catamaran, Clever Transport
The newest addition to the RS CAT range brings a completely different kind of roof rack freedom.
The RS CAT12 has been designed with portability in mind from the outset. Thanks to its interlocking beams, the boat can be fully disassembled, with both hulls fitting easily onto a roof rack and lifted by two people.
The optional split mast makes transport even easier, particularly if you’re working with a smaller vehicle or want more flexibility in how you pack.
For sailors who want catamaran performance without trailer dependency, this design is a genuine breakthrough – something that sailors at Small Craft Tasmania have already highlighted through their own adventures. As Mat Conboy puts it:
“The real game changer for us; it’s designed to be completely taken apart, meaning we can actually transport it on roof racks.”
RS Tera – Perfect for Younger Sailors
The RS Tera has become a favourite for young sailors taking their first real steps into dinghy sailing. Often compared to traditional starter boats like the Optimist or Mirror Dinghy, the RS Tera brings a more modern feel with a genuine focus on developing boat handling skills from day one.
Compact, durable, and light enough to pop onto a roof rack, it’s one of the simplest boats in the range to transport without a trailer. For families, that means less setup and fewer barriers to regular sailing. Its compact size makes transport simple – easy for RS Tera parents taking their kids to training weekends and RS Tera class events.
And the RS Tera’s portability has inspired some creative adventures too – RS have heard stories from sailors who’ve strapped one across the foredeck of their cruising yacht, taking it along as both a kids’ toy and tender during summer cruising holidays in the Outer Hebrides.
RS Feva – Race Ready for Two
Travelling for a racing series, Nationals, or Worlds? The RS Feva is another boat that slots neatly onto the roof for sailors keen to travel light.
As one of the world’s most popular double-handed youth classes, the RS Feva combines exciting performance with practical transport options. For families attending events or sailors travelling between clubs, roof rack transport can make event logistics far easier.
Its manageable size means two-person adventures start before you even reach the slipway. At 73kg hull weight, ensure you’re taking the right steps to safely lift it with two or more people.
RS Zest – Family Friendly and Ready for Adventure
If your ideal sailing day involves introducing friends, children, or family members to the water, the RS Zest is built exactly for that.
Stable, forgiving, and easy to sail, the RS Zest has become a hugely popular learn-to-sail and family cruising boat. It comfortably fits up to four crew, making it perfect for couples or parents sailing with kids.
Its manageable size also means roof rack transport is entirely realistic for many owners – giving you the freedom to head to different sailing venues without the commitment of towing a trailer. Also with 73kg hull weight, RS recommends at least 2-3 people to support with safe lifting.
The beauty of the RS Zest is its versatility: one day it’s a teaching boat, the next it’s a relaxed family cruiser, and all without complicated transport logistics.
Roof Rack Ready – Top Tips for Transportation
Now you know RS Sailing’s #RoofRackReady options, check out their top tips for securing dinghies to roof racks.
