If you’re a first-time boater learning to sail or you’re looking for something small and low-key to play around with then the RS venture is your boat. The new multi-purpose dinghy is the latest addition to RS Sailing’s award-winning RS range and it will be unveiled for the first time at Southampton Boat Show in September. Developed in response to a growing demand from training centres, it’s a great little vessel for cruising or training.

But the RS Venture is not your average dinghy. The large-sized vessel can fit up to six people and will either run on an outboard engine or perform well under sail. It measures 16 feet in length and provides great stability through the beam and moderate freeboard. If you want to up the ante then you can fit an asymmetrical or symmetrical spinnaker.

Designer Phil Morrison designed the dinghy to give maximum cockpit length by pushing the width at the gunwale and waterline and placing the mast well forward. The optional thwart is also moveable to give more flexible space and the Gnav kicker creates plenty of room for the crew. There’s also ample storage space for all your kit.

The boat’s robust GRP skins and 3mm coremat, under a double layered gelcoat, means that it will stand up to intense use. Thanks to rubber gunwale mouldings, a sacrificial aluminium keel band that runs the length of the keel and strong bilge rails, the boat is also beach friendly and resilient to the bumps and knocks all first-timers experience, thus minimising the time and cost of maintenance. And when you’ve found a good bathing spot, the RS Venture doubles up as a swimming platform. You can simply lower the boarding ladder and dive right in to the water.

www.rssailing.com