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Rs Tera
Designer: Paul Handley  ·  Builder: Rs Sailing  ·  First built: 2010
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About the Rs Tera

Designed by Paul Handley and launched in 2010, this compact single-handed dinghy has quickly established itself as an excellent choice for youth sailing programs and beginner sailors. At just over 9 feet long with an 86-pound displacement, the RS Tera offers exceptional maneuverability while remaining light enough for easy launching and recovery. The unstayed cat rig configuration eliminates the complexity of standing rigging, making it ideal for novice sailors learning fundamental boat handling skills. With 39 square feet of sail area, the boat provides enough power for exciting sailing while remaining forgiving in stronger conditions. The modest sail area-to-displacement ratio of 32.03 ensures predictable performance across varying wind strengths. Construction utilizes Comptec PE3 polyethylene, delivering remarkable durability that can withstand the inevitable bumps and scrapes of learning environments. This robust build quality, combined with the dinghy's shallow draft centerboard configuration, makes it perfectly suited for protected waters, sailing instruction, and youth racing programs. The capsize screening formula of 4.07 reflects the boat's inherently stable nature, though like all small dinghies, it's designed primarily for sheltered coastal waters rather than open ocean adventures. RS Sailing's reputation for quality small boat construction shines through in this well-conceived trainer.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 9.42 ft / 2.87 m
Beam 4.49 ft / 1.37 m
Min Draft 0.40 ft / 0.12 m
Displacement 86.00 lb / 39 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 39.00 ft² / 3.62 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Dbrd. Dinghy
Rigging Type Cat (unstayed)
Construction Comptec PE3 Polyethylene
Designer Paul Handley
Builder RS Sailing
First Built 2010
Owner Reviews

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Performance Ratios
Displacement/Length Displacement to Length ratio measures how heavy a boat is relative to its waterline length. Lower values mean a lighter, faster boat.
Under 100 — Ultralight racer100–200 — Light cruiser/racer200–300 — Moderate cruiser300–400 — Heavy cruiserOver 400 — Very heavy
74.79
Comfort Ratio Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio predicts how comfortable a boat will feel in offshore conditions. Higher values mean a steadier, more comfortable motion in a seaway.
Under 20 — Uncomfortably rough20–30 — Acceptable coastal30–40 — Good offshore comfortOver 40 — Very comfortable offshore
2.12
Hull Speed Hull Speed is the theoretical maximum speed of a displacement hull, calculated from waterline length. Most cruising sailboats reach this speed in moderate conditions. 3.79 kn
Pounds/Inch Immersion Pounds per Inch Immersion (PPI) tells you how much weight is needed to sink the boat one inch. Useful for calculating how additional gear and stores affect waterline. 0.77 pounds/inch
How It Compares

vs. Mirror Dinghy Int, Nikki, Taz Plus Topaz

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Rs Tera ★
9.4 ft
Mirror Dinghy Int
10.8 ft
Nikki
9.5 ft
Taz Plus Topaz
9.7 ft
Beam
Rs Tera ★
4.5 ft
Mirror Dinghy Int
4.6 ft
Nikki
3.4 ft
Taz Plus Topaz
3.9 ft
Displacement
Rs Tera ★
86 lbs
Mirror Dinghy Int
135 lbs
Nikki
59 lbs
Taz Plus Topaz
88 lbs
Sail Area
Rs Tera ★
39 sq ft
Mirror Dinghy Int
69 sq ft
Nikki
Taz Plus Topaz
Performance
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Rs Tera ★
2.1
Mirror Dinghy Int
2.8
Nikki
2.2
Taz Plus Topaz
2.5
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Rs Tera ★
74
Mirror Dinghy Int
77
Nikki
50
Taz Plus Topaz
70
Hull Speed
Rs Tera ★
3.8 kts
Mirror Dinghy Int
4.1 kts
Nikki
3.8 kts
Taz Plus Topaz
3.8 kts
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