Everything you need to build an RS850

RS850 Boat Page

Wondering if you already have most of the parts? This page lists every material, electronic component and recommended supplier needed to build the Racing Sparrow RS850. We've organised everything by region and designed the boat around common hobby materials, making it straightforward and affordable to source the parts.

Most builders already own some of the required tools and equipment, making the overall build cost lower than expected.

RS-850 Build Guide
RS850 V3 prototype sq

Select Your Region

United States United Kingdom European Union Australia New Zealand Global

General Supplies

Hull

Electrics

Keel/Rudder

Rigging & Sails

Notes

Marcel duPlessis RG65

Marcel du Plessis's Second RG65

Queensland, Australia,
Built a new RG65 hull. Reused the rigging and electronics. Very handy being able to take the servos out as an assembly. The colour of the first one was a bit too dark against the water and it had a leak that I couldn't solve. Very happy with number 2.  Cheers.
RS850 V3 prototype

RS850 Prototype Test Sailing in Nelson

Nelson, New Zealand,
This is the upcoming RS850 design. It has some very unique experimental features. A very long keel with a lighter bulb. A twin mast stayless rig. A stern hung rudder. So far test sailing, she is performing very nicely. Tracking upwind is hands off and acceleration is amazing. There is more testing and refinement to be done but so far it's performing very well indeed!
Rolands RS Footy

Roland Beverley's RS-Footy 305

United Kingdom,
RS RG65 Shay Moran

Shay Moran's lovely blue RS-RG65

Dublin, Ireland,
RS760 Richard San Francisco

Richard's RS760 Gliding Along

San Francisco,
The boat handles magnificently with a very neutral helm.   She accelerated in the puffs, rather than rounding up. What a joy to sail!
Michael Maré 760s 2

Michael Maré's Balsa & 3D printed RS1000s

Boksburg South Africa,
Just wanted to thank you for the free download plans and for the 3d printed version I purchased from you. I built the green one out of balsa and plywood. Printed a bulb for it.  The blue one is the 3d printed one.  Both were covered with 48gram glass cloth and painted with 2k paint.  Sails from 100% polyester shower curtain.
RS850 cat ketch

Prototype RS850 Twin Mast

Nelson, New Zealand,
This is a new boat currently in the design phase at Racing Sparrow. It features several unique design elements, including a twin-mast sail plan, a stern-hung rudder, and an extra-long keel. The design is centred around a 1000mm main mast, a common and inexpensive length of carbon tube. The materials and electronics required are kept to a minimum, with no stays, goosenecks, or rudder connectors.
Terry Clynes RS375

Terry Clynes RS375 Free Sailing Model

Queensland, Australia,
Cheers for the plans mate! You've kept me entertained and im going to build some more.
ernests rs footy

Ernest’s RS Footy

Waco, Texas,
Bryn, this is yet another fan letter. I continue to be impressed with your designs. They are simply fantastic! They print flawlessly, fit together with an absolute minimum of prep work and build easily. Here is a quick snapshot of my first RS Footy, almost ready to launch.
RS Footy Jan Peter Danse

Jan Peter Danse's Footy

Netherlands,
It was fun to build, and it really does sail very well. I know it wasn’t necessary, but as an experiment I managed to get it completely smooth by sanding, filling, and applying primer.
Deniz Kuşadası RS RG

Deniz's RS-RG65

Kuşadası, Türkiye,
Hi Bryn, thank you so much for sharing this and bringing together people who share a love for sailing. The boy in the picture is my friend's son. I built him the RS65 as a birthday present. He'll be a great sailor in the future. He loves boats very much. I would be very happy if you shared a picture of him.
racingsparrow rg65 merriman

Ian Merriman's RG65

Nottingham, United Kingdom,
2026 08 16 09.52.10