RS SAILING 21 Quick start guide

PLEASE FOLLOW RIGGING MANUAL IN THE CORRECT ORDER
Rigging Manual V7

Contents
1 - Introduction ..........................................................................................1
2 - Specication ........................................................................................ 2
3 - Components ......................................................................................... 3 - 4
3.1 - Customer pack .....................................................................................3
3.2 - Rope pack (regular) ............................................................................. 4
3.3 - Rope pack (race) ................................................................................. 4
4 - Initial Commissioning ........................................................................ 5 - 51
4.1 - Stanchions and guard rails .................................................................. 6 - 8
4.2 - Adding the spinnaker pole ................................................................... 9 - 10
4.3 - Asymmetric spinnaker tack line ........................................................... 11
4.4 - Asymmetric spinnaker launch line ....................................................... 12
4.5 - Adding the hoop ................................................................................... 13
4.6.1 - Dressing the mast - Lowers ............................................................... 14
4.6.2 - Dressing the mast - Spreaders .......................................................... 15 - 16
4.6.3 - Dressing the mast - Forestay............................................................. 16
4.6.4 - Dressing the mast - Backstay ............................................................ 17
4.6.5 - Dressing the Mast - Halyards ............................................................ 18 - 22
4.7.1 - Stepping the mast .............................................................................. 23 - 26
4.7.2 - Stepping the mast with the Keel Up ................................................... 27
4.8 - Rough rig setting ................................................................................... 28 - 31
4.9 - Adding the boom .................................................................................... 32
4.10 - Vang .................................................................................................... 33 - 34
4.11 - Mainsheet ............................................................................................ 35
4.12 - Main halyard purchase system ............................................................ 36
4.13 - Cunningham ......................................................................................... 37 - 38
4.14 - Jib halyard purchase system ................................................................ 39
4.15 - Halyard Elastic Take Up ........................................................................ 40
4.15 - Jib tack line ........................................................................................... 41
4.16 - Jib sheet ............................................................................................... 42 - 43
4.17 - Asymmetric spinnaker sheet ................................................................. 44
4.18 - Spinnaker bag ...................................................................................... 45
4.19 - Rudder .................................................................................................. 46
4.20 - Preparing the mainsail .......................................................................... 47
4.21 - Battens .................................................................................................. 47
4.22 - Sail care ................................................................................................ 48
4.23 - Adding the Torqeedo ............................................................................. 49 - 54
5 - Using the boat ........................................................................................ 55 - 69
5.1 - Lowering the keel .................................................................................... 56
5.2 - Raising the keel ...................................................................................... 57
5.3 - Hoisting the mainsail .............................................................................. 58 - 59
5.4 - Outhaul ................................................................................................... 60
5.5 - Hoisting the jib ........................................................................................ 61
5.6 - Motor ....................................................................................................... 62 - 64
5.7 - Weed cutter ............................................................................................ 65
5.8 - Storing sail bags ..................................................................................... 66
5.9 - Fenders ................................................................................................... 66
5.10 - Lifting the boat ...................................................................................... 67
5.11 - Removing / Adding the keel................................................................... 68
5.12 - Bilge pump ............................................................................................ 69
5.13 - Mooring the boat .................................................................................. 69
5.14 - Antifouling ............................................................................................. 69
6 - Knots ....................................................................................................... 70 - 71
7 - Glossary .................................................................................................. 72 - 80

1
1. Introduction
Congratulations on the purchase of your new RS 21, and thank you for choosing an
RS product. We are condent that you will have many hours of great sailing and racing
in this truly excellent design. The RS 21 is an exciting boat to sail and offers fantastic
performance. This manual has been compiled to help you to gain the maximum
enjoyment from your RS 21, in a safe manner. It contains details of the craft, the
equipment supplied or tted, its systems, and information on its safe operation and
maintenance. Please read this manual carefully and be sure that you understand its
contents before using your RS 21.
This manual will not instruct you in boating safety or seamanship. If this is your rst
boat, or if you are changing to a type of craft that you are not familiar with, for your own
safety and comfort, please ensure that you have adequate experience before assuming
command of the craft. If you are unsure, RS, your RS Dealer, or your national sailing
federation – for example, the Royal Yachting Association – will be able to advise you of a
local sailing school, or a competent instructor.
Please keep this manual in a secure place and hand it over to the new owner if
you sell the boat.
For further information, spares, and accessories, please contact:
RS Sailing
Premier Way
Abbey Park
Romsey
Hampshire SO51 9DQ
Tel: [phone]
Email: [email protected]
For details of your local RS Dealer, please visit www.RSsailing.com
1 - Introduction

2
2 - Specication
Designer Richards / Whitehouse / RS Sailing
Length 6.34m
Beam 2.2m
Draught 1.38m
Displacement 650kg
Hull construction Eco-friendly composite
Keel Lifting - with bulb
Rudder Removeable - composite
Mainsail area - Race 16.2m2
Jib are - Race 8.4m2
Gennaker area - Race 40m2
Mainsail area - Club 16.2m2
Jib area - Club 8.4m2
Gennaker area - Club 35m2
Spinnaker area - Club 30m2
Mast One piece carbon composite
Shrouds and froestay Stainless steel wire
Halyards - Main, jib, gennaker Dyneema / polyester
Boom Aluminium alloy
Bowsprit Carbon composite

3
3.1 - Components - Customer Pack Quantity
Part
1
2
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
6
2
2
1
2
2
1
1
5
3
4
40mm block with becket
(kicker)
40mm block with ddle
(kicker)
40mm block with
ddle/swivel/xed cam
(jib/main halyard tackle)
45mm wire block
(kicker)
30mm block with becket
(main/jib halyard hoist)
30mm single swivel block
(cunningham/vang)
40mm single block (strap)
(launch line/kicker/mainsheet)
60mm ratchet block
(mainsheet/kite sheets)
jib clew blocks
20mm block with becket
(Torqeedo)
30mm back to back blocks
(backstay)
Plastic bobble
Snap shackle
(jib halyard, spinnaker sheet)
Rudder pin
Keel hoist shackle
Key shackle
40mm strap block
(mainsheet)
Velcro strap
(shrouds adjusters)
Velcro strap
(Keel)
Shackle (vang)

4
3.2 - Components - Rope Pack (Regular)
3.3 - Components - Rope Pack (Race)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
Torqeedo Block tie
Torqeedo Uphaul
Backstay Part 2
Backstay Part 3
Backstay Control Line
Stanchion Back Rest ties
Main Halyard
Jib Halyard
Spinnaker Halyard
Vang Control
Vang Purchase
Halyard Tension (Shockcord)
Jib Tension
Jib Cunningham Part 2
Jib Cunningham Part 1
Cunningham
Cunningham Tail
Main Halyard Purchase
Launch Line
Tack Line
Mainsheet
Jib Sheet
Spinnaker Sheet
1
7 8
9
21 22
23
10
11 12
13
14
15 16 17
18 19 20
234 5 6
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
Torqeedo Block tie
Torqeedo Uphaul
Backstay Part 2
Backstay Part 3
Backstay Control Line
Stanchion Back Rest ties
Main Halyard
Jib Halyard
Spinnaker Halyard
Vang Control
Vang Purchase
Halyard Tension (Shockcord)
Jib Tension
Jib Cunningham Part 2
Jib Cunningham Part 1
Cunningham
Cunningham Tail
Main Halyard Purchase
Launch Line
Tack Line
Mainsheet
Jib Sheet
Spinnaker Sheet
1
7 8
9
21 22
23
10
11 12 13
14 15 16 17
18 19 20
2 3 4 5 6

5
PLEASE FOLLOW RIGGING MANUAL IN THE CORRECT ORDER
Rigging Manual
4. Initial Commissioning

6
4.1 - Stanchions and Guard Rails
a)
b)
d)
c)
Add the 4 stanchions and
replace the screws.
4 x Stanchions 2 x Guard rails 4 x Guard rail ties
Locate the following items:
Remove the retaining screws from
each of the four stanchion bases.
Note: The guard rail ties differ for the regular and race versions.
Race spec has spliced loop.
Not the adjustable end.
Standard spec has no splice.

7
Attach the loose ends of the guard rail ties to the eyes on the gunwhale.
For the standard spec use knot #1.
4.1 - Stanchions and Guard Rails
e)
f)
g)
Pass the other ends of the guard rail ties through the hole in the top of the stanchions
(in a forward direction for the front stanchions and an aft direction for the aft
stanchions).
Attach the guard rail tie onto the D-ring at each end of the guard rail.
Standard spec.
Knot #1
Knot #1
Standard spec. Race spec.
Knot #1 Knot #6

8
4.1 - Stanchions and Guard Rails
h) Race spec.
Remove one screw from the deck eye.
Rotate the deck eye to allow you
to slip the loop over it.
Rotate the deck eye back into
place and replace the screw.
Pull to adjust

9
4.2 - Adding the Spinnaker Pole
a)
b)
c)
The spinnaker pole may already be attached to your boat.
If it is already attached you can move straight on to section 4.3.
Locate the spinnaker tack line, launch line and 40mm block in the packs.
Tie knot #3 approximately 250mm from one end of the tack line.
250mm
The front end of the pole can be identied by the small hole in the end cap (the aft
end has a larger hole).
Pass the other of the tack line in through the hole in the front end cap of the pole,
through the pole and out the hole at the aft end.
Tack line Launch line 40mm block

10
4.2 - Adding the Spinnaker Pole
e)
f)
Continue to push the pole into the boat, making sure it passes
underneath the webbing strap (feeding the tack line through rst).
Shackle the 40mm block to the metal hoop on the front
of the mast step.
d)
Pass the aft end of the pole in through the
opening at the bow of the boat (You will
need to feed the tack line in rst).
Continue to add the tack line as shown on the following page.

11
B
C
A
B
C
A
4.3 - Asymmetric Spinnaker Tack Line
Knot #2
Knot #3

12
4.4 - Asymmetric Spinnaker Launch Line
A
A
B
B
C
C
Knot #2
Knot #3
Add the launch line as shown.
a)

13
4.5 - Adding the Hoop
a)
b)
Your boat may arrive with or without the hoop attached.
If the hoop is already attached move straight on to section 4.6.
There are 3 screws on each side of the centre console which hold the
hoop in place. Remove all 6 screws.
Fit the hoop into place and replace the screws.

14
4.6.1 - Dressing the Mast - Lowers
a)
b)
c)
d)
Remove the bottle screw from the lowers.
Thread the wires through the hole in the spreader bracket.
Replace the bottle screw.
Tighten until the wire just appears on the inside of the bottle screw.
Add the lower part of the bottle screw (fork toggle).
Tighten until it just shows on the inside of the bottle screw.

15
4.6.2 - Dressing the Mast - Spreaders
a)
b)
To complete this section you will need:
• Spreaders x 2
• Shrouds x 2
• Forestay
• Backstay
• Backstay icker and 3 x machine screws
• Main halyard
• Jib halyard
• Spinnaker halyard
Fit the spreaders to the mast.
Fit the two shrouds to the mast.

16
4.6.2 - Dressing the Mast - Spreaders
c)
Remove the screw and the front face of the spreader tip.
Thread the shroud wire into the gap and replace the front face of the spreader tip
and the screw.
4.6.3 - Dressing the Mast - Forestay
a)
Attach the forestay to the mast with the T-terminal.
The bottle screw has been set to the base setting for the standard amount of
mast rake. Do not adjust it at this stage.
Repeat for the other shroud and spreader.

17
4.6.4 - Dressing the Mast - Backstay
a)
b)
Fit backstay icker.
Add the block and line to the end of the backstay icker.
The length of this line is important.
Make sure that it is 150mm.
150mm
c)
Attach the backstay through the icker block and terminate it
on the pin at the mast head tting.

18
4.6.5 - Dressing the Mast - Halyards
a)
b)
Locate the following items:
Tie end of the thinner halyard line to the mouse line which
emerges from the mast head using knot #7.
Note: There are mouse lines for the halyards already running through the mast.
The main halyard is composed of two lines, a thicker red rope with a loop and
a thinner line attached to it.
mouse line
c) Pull on the other end of the mouse line (which emerges from the port side of the mast,
near the mast foot).
Main halyard Main halyard shackle Plastic bobble x 2