RS Sailing has marked three decades of the RS200 by putting an early 1996 boat alongside a new 2026 example at the RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show. The comparison was intended to show how closely the current boat still follows the original one-design concept.
The older boat, number 205, was found for sale and restored by members of the RS Sailing team before the show. RS used the project to demonstrate both the durability of the class and the value that can remain in older production dinghies when they are maintained or refurbished.
Head of GRP Production Marty Miller also discussed how manufacturing has developed since the first boats were built. RS says current RS200s are produced in-house at Cowes, giving the company closer control over construction and quality while retaining the established design.
The RS200 remains active with both experienced racers and newer sailors, and the 30-year comparison highlights an unusual level of continuity in a modern production dinghy. It shows how manufacturing methods can evolve while the underlying class stays recognisable across generations.