SCOPE OF WORK

To partner in the development of a single-hand racing boat concept through to serial production.

PROJECT OVERVIEW

Through collaboration with the client, suppliers and designers, MTAG were able to successfully deliver a cost effective, globally successful product to help establish RS in a new market sector.

MTAG and RS Sailing first started working together around 8 years ago with the production of the RS Venture. From this success, MTAG were identified to be partners in the development of manufacturing for a brand-new concept of single-hander ultra-lightweight racing boats. Designed by Alex Newton-Southon and Jo Richardson, the fast, manoeuvrable alternative to the established ‘Laser One’ design had to do things a little differently. The aspirations of the boat design demanded nothing less than class-leading performance and looked to MTAG to develop the then called ‘RS Zero’ into a commercially viable product to be marketed globally.

The boat design aimed to make sailing more accessible and user friendly whilst providing users with the ultimate exhilaration of speed and agility. With a technologically advanced hull designed to stack boats on top of one another for improved international shipping efficiency and an unrigged weight of less than 35kg, the clever design allows for sailors of all abilities to develop alongside one another and to grow with the boats 3 different rigging sizes.

MTAG developed a vacuumed epoxy sandwich laminate with intricate glass and carbon reinforcements which keeps weight to a minimum whilst maximising strength giving excellent durability, an extended user lifecycle, and class leading performance. Each boat is manufactured to a precise specification ensuring every boat is alike to ensure strict equality in performance. All materials are fully traceable, adding to the 2019 World Sailing Equipment Trials view that the boat was a ‘high quality end product’ with our teams of operators ensuring each boat is immaculate before leaving the factory. The silicone bags used to consolidate the lamination process is all made in house allowing MTAG to manufacture over 2000 identical boats since production began.

As part of the extended services offered by MTAG on-site in Lincolnshire, all the boats are fully fitted out, liveried with RS Sailing graphics and packaged with their tiller and centreboard with the addition of the rigging pack completed by RS prior to delivery. This type of value-added task de-risks the process for the customer and as a result the product is extremely affordable to sailing clubs and individuals alike.