RS Tera User manual

OWNER’S MANUAL

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CONTENTS
1. INTRODUCTION
2. EC CONFORMITY AND IDENTIFICATION
Dimensions of the RS Tera
3. SAFETY INFORMATION
3.1 Design Category
3.2 Loading
3.3 Safety Equipment
3.4 Capsize Recovery
3.5 Cockpit Drainage
3.6 Air Tanks
3.7 Man Overboard Prevention and Recovery
3.8 Use of an Outboard Engine
3.9 Towing, Anchoring, Mooring, and Trailing
3.10 Other Safety Considerations
4. COMMISSIONING
4.1 Preparation
4.2 Unpacking
4.3 Rigging the Mast
4.4 Stepping the Mast
4.5 Rigging the Boom
4.6 The Rudder and Daggerboard
5. SAILING HINTS
5.1 Introduction
5.2 Launching
5.3 Leaving the Beach
5.4 Sailing Close-Hauled and Tacking
5.5 Downwind and Gybing

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5.6 Reefing
5.7 Using the Mini Sail
5.8 Using the Oars
5.9 Using the Top Cover
6. MAINTENANCE
6.1 Boat Care
6.2 Foil Care
6.3 Spar Care
6.4 Sail Care
6.5 Fixtures & Fittings
7. WARRANTY
8. GLOSSARY OF COMMON SAILING TERMS
9. USEFUL READING & WEBSITES
All terms highlighted in blue throughout the Manual can be found in the Glossary of Terms.
Warnings, Top Tips, and Important Information are displayed in a yellow box.

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1. INTRODUCTION
Congratulations on the purchase of your new RS Tera and thank you for choosing an RS
product. We are confident that you will have many hours of great sailing and racing in this
truly excellent design.
The RS Tera 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 Tera, in a safe
manner. It contains details of the craft, the equipment supplied or fitted, 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 Tera.
This manual will not instruct you in boating safety or seamanship. If this is your first 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:
LDC Racing Sailboats
Trafalgar Close
Chandlers Ford
Eastleigh
Hants SO53 4BW
Tel.: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [email protected]
For details on your local RS dealer, please visit www.rssailing.com

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2. EC CONFORMITY AND IDENTIFICATION
The RS Tera complies with the EU Directive for Recreational Craft (RCD) which sets safety
requirements for recreational boats sold in Europe. Each RS Tera carries the CE mark to indicate
this compliance. The CE Mark is on the Builder’s Plate in the cockpit. The Builder’s Plate also
includes important safety information which is described in detail elsewhere in this manual.
Compliance with the EU Directive for Recreational Craft (RCD) is also demonstrated by the EC
Declaration of Conformity in this manual (see page 6).
A RS Tera dinghy can be identified by the Craft Identification Number, which is a unique serial
number on the starboard side of the transom,and is shown on the EC Declaration of Conformity in
this manual.
Each RS Tera is also assigned a unique sail number, which is marked on the bottom of the CE
Declaration form, or can be obtained from RS Racing or your RS dealer. Normally, it is a
requirement that your sail numbers are displayed at sailing regattas. Sail numbers can be
purchased from RS, your RS dealer, or from a sailmaker.

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EC DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY TO
DIRECTIVE 94/25/CE
I declare that the craft described as:
RS TERA sailing/rowing dinghy
Bearing the Hull Identification Number:
G B L D C T
Conforms to EU Recreational Craft Directive 94/25/EC as amended by Directive 2003/44/EC
EU Notified Body: No. 1681 - Royal Yachting Association, RYA House, Ensign Way, Hamble,
Southampton, SO31 4YA England
EC Type-Examination Certificate Number: Module: B+C
ISO Standards BS EN ISO 10087, 14945, 8666, 10240
Trade Mark LDC Racing Sailboats
Type RS Tera
Design Category C
Maximum Crew 2
Maximum Load 80 kg
Overall Length 2.87 m
Builders Name LDC Racing Sailboats, Trafalgar Close, Chandlers
Ford, Eastleigh SO53 4BW, England
Signed Name: __Alex Newton-Southon__
Signature: _________________
SAIL NUMBER____________
Date / /

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RS TERA TECHNICAL DATA
Length Overall (LOA) 2..87 m
Beam 1.23 m
Hull Weight 36 kg
Complete Sailing Weight 42kg
RS Tera Sport Mainsail 3.7 m²
RS Tera Pro Mainsail 4.8 m²
RS Tera Mini Sail 2.7 m²
Draught 0.75m
Max Weight of Sailor 100kg
Designer Paul Handley

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3. SAFETY INFORMATION
•Before attempting to operate the boat, ensure that you have the appropriate
experience to handle the boat safely in the anticipated sea and wind conditions.
•Ensure that all the crew have sufficient boating experience and are familiar with
emergency procedures, capsize recovery, and towing.
•Always check the weather forecast before leaving shore, and ensure that the
predicted weather and sea conditions are suitable for the boat (see 3.1).
•Clothing should be suitable for the anticipated weather conditions and footwear
appropriate for boating.
•Before going afloat, all persons should be wearing a suitable buoyancy aid
(e.g. a life jacket or a personal floatation device), which should be worn at all
time when on the water. Note that in some countries it is a legal requirement to
wear a buoyancy aid that complies with their national regulations at all times.
•It is recommended that you carry a whistle or a horn to attract attention in case
further assistance is required.
•The owner/helmsman is responsible for the safe operation of the boat.
•The owner/helmsman’s responsibilities include the proper preparation and
maintenance of the boat and safety equipment, knowledge of the boat
operation, safety training of the crew, following the navigation rules (including
knowledge of the Collision Regulations and local navigation rules), care of the
environment, insurance and, where necessary, registration.

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3.1 Design Category
The RS Tera is a Design Category C boat. A Design Category C boats may be sailed in:
•Design Category: C – ‘inshore’.
•Description of Use: Designed for voyages in coastal waters, large bays,
estuaries, lakes, and rivers.
•Wind Force: Up to, and including Beaufort Force 6.
•Significant Wave Height: up to, and including 2 metres.
The RS Tera complies with this design category, subject to:
•The crew having suitable skill and experience.
•Satisfactory maintenance of the boat and its equipment.
Users of this boat are advised that:
•All crew should receive suitable training.
•The boat should not carry more than the maximum load of 80kg.
•The amount of water within the hull (i.e. inside the buoyancy compartment) should
be kept to a minimum.
•Any weight added to the mast will reduce the stability of the boat.

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3.2 Loading
The RS Tera is designed primarily as a single-handed sailing dinghy for young or light
sailors. It may also be sailed or rowed by up to two persons, provided that the total weight
of persons and any equipment on board (e.g. an anchor, water bottles, etc.) does not
exceed 80kg (typically two children).
The maximum recommended load of 100kg is shown on the Builder’s Plate. Note that the
number of persons is shown as 1 on the Builder’s Plate, to avoid the possible confusion
that the boat could carry two adults.
When climbing aboard for launching, always step into the middle of the cockpit floor and
then sit down carefully. Never step on the side deck or the boat will tip. If you are
rowing the boat, sit on the seat area around the daggerboard and face the transom. If two
persons are onboard when rowing, the second person should sit at the back of the cockpit,
or on the aft deck, with their feet in the cockpit.
When sailing, you can either sit in the cockpit or on the windward side deck to balance the
boat if there is sufficient wind. The cockpit floor and side decks have a rough surface to
reduce the possibility of slipping. Other areas of the deck have a smooth surface and you
should not sit or stand on them when the boat is moving.
Do not use with more than two persons on board.
Ensure that the combined weight of all persons on board, plus any added items,
does not exceed 80 kg.

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3.3 Safety Equipment
It is your responsibility to ensure that all of the necessary safety equipment is obtained for
the type of sailing that you are participating in, and that it is readily accessible on board at
all times.
Top Tip
We recommend that you sail in a location where there is adequate safety-boat cover,
should you get into any difficulty, especially whilst learning to sail your new boat.
3.4 Capsize Recovery
Like all small sailing dinghies, the RS Tera may capsize when sailing. A ‘capsize warning’
symbol (the upside-down boat) is shown on the Builder’s Plate to warn of this possibility.
The RS Tera is designed to recover quickly from a capsize, or inversion, and continue to
sail without bailing (see 3.5 for cockpit drainage). The recommended technique for
capsize recovery is described below. It is recommended to first practice capsize recovery
on a calm day, with safety-boat cover.
Capsize Recovery
The RS Tera mast is sealed to provide buoyancy so, if you are in the water, the boat will
normally float on its side for a while after a capsize. If this is the case, swim round to the
daggerboard, grab hold of its tip, and pull down. The boat should start to right itself slowly
Please note that the following information is a suggested response to a capsize
situation, and is not a substitute for an approved training course. For more information,
please see www.rya.org.uk
Remember – Keep hold of the boat when you are in the water

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at first, and then quite quickly. As soon as it is the right way up, climb back into the
cockpit, trying to keep the boat as upright as possible at all times, to avoid a further
capsize. When climbing in, you can pull the gunwhale closer to the water using the side
safety line, and then grab the toe strap to pull yourself in. It is best to do this over the
windward side of the boat, to avoid another capsize. Alternatively, if the boat is pointing
into the wind, you can go around to the transom and climb in there. Once you are back on
board, check that the ropes are not caught on anything and then you can continue sailing.
Dry Capsize
If you know that you are about to capsize, you can climb over the gunwhale and onto the
daggerboard as the boat heels. As the boat starts to right itself, climb back into the centre
of the cockpit This can be quick and you remain dry, but if you stay on the capsized hull
and are not quick to move out, your weight may cause the boat to invert.
Capsize recovery from inverted
If the boat does invert, you will probably end up in the water outside the boat. In this case
reach up to the bilge rail on the bottom of the boat and, using this as a finger hold for one
hand, stretch out with the other hand and grab the daggerboard. When you have a firm
grip on the daggerboard, pull yourself onto the hull, and kneel or stand as close to the
edge as possible without slipping off. Keeping hold of the daggerboard, lean back and the

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boat will slowly return to floating on its side. From here, you will be able to carry out a
standard capsize recovery.
To enable the boat to be righted from inversion, the minimum recommended crew weight
is 40 kg. Alternatively, more leverage for righting can be gained by standing up on the
inverted gunwhale, and pulling the tip of the daggerboard.
If you come up under the boat just after it has inverted, you will find plenty of air and head
space in the cockpit. However, this situation can be a worry for the safety-boat crew as
they cannot see where you are, so quickly duck under the cockpit side to the outside of the
boat to show that you are OK. If you are tired or cold and need assistance, stay next to
the inverted boat by holding the side safety lines and try to attract the attention of a rescue
boat.
WARNING
If the boat has capsized “on top” of you, or “to windward” as it is known, there is
more chance of the boat inverting. You should ensure that you and your crew are
well clear of the hull as the boat fully inverts. Remember to keep hold of a rope that
is attached to the boat, i.e. the jib sheet or main sheet
WARNING
If the mast is lying into the wind during a capsize recovery, the boat will flip up
quickly and may capsize again. In this situation, be prepared to climb in and balance
the boat quickly.

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3.5 Cockpit Drainage
The cockpit drain hole is located under the toe strap, and is sealed with a removable bung.
If the weight of the crew and equipment on board is less than 70kg, the bung can be left
out, to allow excess water to drain away automatically, even if the boat is moving slowly.
If the total weight on board is higher than 70kg, then the bung should be inserted to
prevent water coming up through the drain hole. In this case, a bailer or sponge should be
carried to remove any water trapped in the cockpit. The bailer/sponge should be secured
by a rope to prevent loss.
3.6 Air Tank
The RS Tera is equipped with a sealed buoyancy compartment, in case of capsize or
swamping. The buoyancy compartment is formed by the hull and deck mouldings and
consequently the following points should be noted:
!Do not puncture the buoyancy compartment.
!Should the buoyancy compartment become punctured, do not use the
boat until the compartment is properly repaired. If in any doubt, contact
RS Racing for repair details.
!It is against class rules to add any fittings, although you may have to
replace fittings from time to time. Ensure that all fastenings are resealed
properly using an appropriate sealant. If in any doubt, contact RS
Racing for details.

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Occasionally, a small amount of water will get into the buoyancy compartment, and this
can be removed through the drain hole in the transom. Always remember to check that
there is no water in the hull and that the bung is secure in the drain hole before launching.
3.7 Man Overboard Prevention and Recovery
To minimise the risk of falling overboard, never stand up in the boat or sit on the decks,
other than the side deck to balance the boat, when it is under weigh. Should you fall
overboard while sailing alone, the boat will soon capsize allowing you to swim to it and
follow the capsize recovery procedures described in 3.4.
If a crew member falls overboard while there are two people sailing, the person on board
can assist recovery by manoeuvring the boat back to the person in the water, stopping the
boat (turning into the wind if sailing), and helping to balance the boat as the other person
climbs back in.
To recover a crew member from the water:
•The helm should stop the boat just downwind of the person in the water.
•The helm should balance the boat, using a combination of body weight movement
and sail pressure.
•With the help of the person on board, the crew should board the boat via the
windward gunwhale, or over the transom using the toe strap to help to pull
themselves in.
Top Tip
If you attend an approved sailing instruction course, you will learn how to recover a man
overboard quickly and effectively. Please see www.rya.org.uk for a list of recommended
institutions.

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3.8 Use of an Outboard Engine
The RS Tera is not designed, equipped, or capable of modification for use with an
outboard engine.
3.9 Towing, Anchoring, Mooring, and Trailing
Towing on the Water
We recommend the following procedure for towing your RS Tera:
•Attach the towing line to the painter, first ensuring that the painter passes through
the bow lifting handle.
•Make sure that the kicking strap and the main sheet are not in the cleat.
•Fully raise or remove the daggerboard.
•While you are being towed, you will need to steer the boat with the tiller.
•In the event of rudder loss, sit as far back in the boat as possible.
Anchoring
The RS Tera can be anchored for short periods of time. The anchor line should be
attached to the painter. We recommend attending an approved sailing course before
attempting to anchor your RS Tera. The sails should be lowered or securely stowed, and
the rudder and centreboard should be raised completely.
WARNING
When you are being towed on the water:
•Never undo the Inglefield Clips on the mainsheet
•Do not allow the boom to pass further than 90 degrees from the boat’s centreline
•Do not allow the rigged mainsail to swing around over the foredeck
•Always undo the sail from the boom clip, and rest the boom in the boat
If you do not observe these points, there is a risk of the mast falling out of the boat in
the event of inversion.

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REMEMBER
An anchor is a heavy piece of equipment. You must ensure that you are not overloading
your RS Tera, and that the anchor is securely stowed when not in use to prevent damage
to the boat or the crew!
Mooring
The RS Tera is supplied with a strong painter which is attached to the front of the mast
plate, enabling you to moor to a pontoon or other suitable object for short periods. You
can moor bow-on, by passing the painter through the bow lifting handle, or moor side-on
by passing the painter through the side safety line. Always remember to use some padding
between your RS Tera and the object that you are mooring against!
Trailing and Transporting Your RS Tera
The RS Tera can be trailed behind the majority of cars. When trailing your RS Tera, you
should only use an approved trolley and road base. Care must be taken when tying the
boat to its trailer because too much or too little tension could result in damage. We
recommend the following procedure for safe trailing:
•Ensure that the boat is located correctly on the trolley, with the bow securely in the
bow snubber of the trolley.
•Ensure that the trolley is properly located on the road base, and that the retaining
pin is fitted.
•Tie the boat down to the road base at the bow and across the middle. You only
need to apply sufficient tension to hold the boat in contact with the trolley supports.
Use padding material where any straps touch the deck.
The RS Tera is designed to be transported easily on the roof of most cars. The Tera is a
very light dinghy, but you should still take care when lifting the hull onto a roof rack.
Always ensure that the roof rack is firmly fixed to the car, in accordance with the roof-rack
manufacturers fitting instructions, and check that the maximum roof load limit for the car is
greater than the combined weight of the roof rack, RS Tera hull, spars, sail, and anything

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else carried on the roof. Allow 40kg for the RS Tera hull, spars and sail. We recommend
the use of the RS Tera folding launching trolley because this can be stowed in the car
rather than on the roof.
Top Tip
Make sure that you remove the top cover while transporting your RS Tera. Spars should
be transported in the car, or tied securely in the boat.
Remember to tie the boat down when it is left in the dinghy compound, to prevent damage
in the event of strong winds.
3.10 Other Safety Considerations

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4. COMMISSIONING
4.1 Preparation.
Your RS Tera comes complete with all the components necessary to take the boat sailing.
Whilst your RS Tera has been carefully prepared, it is important that new owners should
check that shackles and knots are tight. This is especially important when the boat is new,
as travelling can loosen seemingly tight fittings and knots. It is also important to check
such items prior to sailing regularly.
4.2 Unpacking.
Having unpacked your RS Tera, you should check that you have all of the items listed
below before throwing away any of the packing, as there may be some small items still
wrapped.
•1 x RS Tera hull
•1 x two-piece mast
•1 x boom
•1x boom pad
•1 x rudder, with stock and tiller extension
•I x daggerboard
•1 x main sail (Sport or Pro)
•1 x rope pack – consisting of:
Caution
When sailing, take care to avoid being hit on the head by the boom, particularly
during a gybe. The boom is fitted with a boom pad to reduce the likelihood of
an injury, but care must still be taken when it is windy.
DO NOT use a knife or other sharp object to cut through packaging containing
parts – you may damage the contents!

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o1 x mainsheet
o1 x daggerboard handle
o1 x outhaul
o1x downhaul
o1x kicking strap
o1x kicking strap boom tie
o1 x water bottle
o1 x RS Tera manual
o1 x mainsheet clip
Daggerboard Rope
Kit
Sail
Number Drain-Hole
Bun
g
Rudder
Gudgeon Mainsheet
Bridle
Stern Lifting
Handle
Hull
Toe Stra
p
s
Side Safety
Line
Rowlock Hole
Main-Sheet
Centre Block
Tr
a
n
so
m
Mast Lower
Section
Mast Top
Section
Gooseneck
Boom
Mainsail
Boom Pad
Rudder, Rudder
Stock, & Tiller
Extension
Gunwhale
Cockpit Deck Moulding Daggerboard
Case
Buoyancy Compartment
Bow Lifting Handle
Mast Plate