"RS" = "RedningsSkyte" means "Rescue Boat". Colin Archer based his design on the old pilot boats that used to go out in all kinds of weather. He added a watertight deck and outside ballast. Maybe it's "the best type of boat" if you want to go sailing in very bad conditions It is not very fast in light winds. RS 22 was built (by C.A.) in 1909, named "VARD" (a small town in nortern Norway). See http://home.online.no/~jeppejul/ColinArcherByggeliste.xls#A223 If you want one, have a look at http://home.online.no/~jeppejul/ColinArchersForSale.html
RS Vardo, 1910, Later renamed Colin Archer,3rd design in Colin Archers Redningskoite series. ( If you don't count the one cutter Larvik). Old? Compared to the thousand plus years people have drifted around the oceans?