RS Sailing Adds the Aira 22 For Adventuring and Racing

The RS Aira 22, rated for one to six crew is the latest addition to RS Sailing’s growing line of recreational sailboats. Room aplenty in this 22-footer’s cockpit. RS Sailboats

For sailors looking for new trailerable keelboat options today there are a handful of great options, including the J/7, the Storm 18, and now RS Sailing’s Aira 22, a new addition to its “adventure range.”

This versatile open cockpit keelboat was originally designed and built by Aira Boats in the Netherlands, but the UK’s RS Sailing has taken on the Aira 22’s build, distribution, marketing and sales.

“As we continue to grow our presence in the leisure sailing market, the RS Aira 22 embodies our commitment to expanding the sport of sailing beyond competitive racing and into the realm of family-friendly adventure,” says RS Sailing’s Commercial Director, Michiel Geerling.

For the past ten years, alongside its dinghy range, RS Sailing has expanded its offerings for recreational sailors and community sailing operations with its bigger boats, such as the Quest, Toura (a past Sailing World Boat of the Year finalist as Best Dinghy), and RS Venture, but Geerling says: “As market interest in daysailing grew, we recognized a need to add a larger vessel to our line-up—a flagship keelboat that merges comfort, performance and accessibility.”

According to RS, the 22-footer “draws inspiration from the daysailer tradition in the Netherlands, where families frequently enjoy time on the water in boats that are both practical and comfortable.”

Created in the Netherlands for a culture of family and adventure sailing, RS Sailing has added the Aira 22 to serve as its flagship. RS Sailing

“It is a nice balance of sport and leisure, and, of course, we will be adding our own RS stamp on it,” Geerling says.

For Sailing Schools, Families and Adventurous Outings

The original Aira 22 was launched in 2018 by Jos Snijders Blok, founder of Aira Boats. The boat was designed for recreational sailors and gained popularity with sailing schools and boat rental centers in the Netherlands. As Snijders eyed retirement, he approached RS Sailing to bring the boat to a much wider market.

“The Aira 22 has always stood out as a smart and innovative boat,” Geerling says. “We’re thrilled to now be able to expand its reach and introduce it to a global audience. The RS Aira 22 is truly the future of accessible and enjoyable sailing. We will ensure that Jos’ legacy lives on while sharing this exceptional product with day sailors worldwide.”

The daysailer is designed with ergonomics and safety in mind, “offering an open cockpit, higher boom, ample storage space, and comfortable seating options, complete with cushions,” the builder says. The boat also features options for a foldable table and a retractable built-in ePropulsion electric engine. Another great option is and outboard bracket to accommodate a small outboard (gas or electric).

As to its performance, Snijders says, “We often describe the Aira as a comfort-focused boat with the sleek lines of a modern sportboat.”

Its design features contribute to its versatility, and especially its stability, which comes from 7 feet of beam, a flat bottom, a wide stern, and a powerful square-top mainsail. In essence, it has all the fundamentals of a well-rounded daysailor and low-key class racer.

The gennaker and furling unit are options for the Aira 22. RS Sailing

“There is a real need to engage more people in sailing, especially families,” explains Geerling says. “The RS Aira 22 is something for the whole family. Its versatility means that one day it is a daysailer and the next day it could be a club racer. The hull design ensures effortless planing, while the 300-square-foot gennaker elevates the boat into a powerhouse of fun. It strikes the ideal balance between comfort and performance.

Priced with three sails and gennaker furler, covers, cushions and a stainless steel outboard bracket to accommodate and electric outboard, and trailer, the Aira 22 (with shipping) hits just shy of $50,000. Various color schemes are available should you want to customize the look of your nex adventure.

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