Last Minute Checklist!

The sailing season is truly in full swing. We’ve experienced the best and the worst conditions the British weather could throw at us. Your boats have probably sailed you through several events and club races already with out too many glitches. Here at P&B we have a couple of key points we think about before pushing your boat out the water, those last minute checks. We like to be prepared for every eventuality which can make a big difference and can be the difference between winning and losing an event.

1. Make sure the boat is well prepared; there is nothing worse than doing boat work at events, it's a rubbish way to spend your evening and breakages are a bad way to lose an event or overall position.
2. Your boat is tuned to your settings or tuning guide. P&B offer tuning guides for all classes we produce sails which are available on the website. (Tuning equipment list, rig gauge, tape measure, marker pen, pre bend measure, twine, etc.)
3. Never pack sailing kit based on the expected weather, pack everything! Some days you can be wearing sunnies the Gill Racing Sunglasses Black are great and are floatable, so if you drop them, all is not lost. A rash vest, hikers and a cap. The Musto fast dry crew cap is a favorite with the P&B Musto race team and comes with and handy clips to attach to your sailing kit & dries in minutes. Out on the water you're exposed to 40% more UV than on the land. The very next day you could be donning a steamer, gloves and a beanie, you never know what the weather might throw at you.
4. Allow some time to give your sails the once over. Check in common areas of rubbing such as where the top batten hits the luff, the headboard and when applicable, the spinnaker retrieval patch. Sail tape is also a must have at events. Before you get chances to leave your sail in highly capable hands of our sail lofted at P&B Northampton how can get your sails looking as good as new.
5. Make sure you have a toolbox at the ready, fully kitted out with all the essential tools as well as some spare parts you could need. Duck and chafe tape is a must have, it can help if your boat gained any bumps out on the crowed start line or rocky sore. When the gel coat is broken or gets damaged then fibre glass takes on water as osmosis takes place, eventually creating bubbles in the gel coat. Here a P&B we recommend the epoxy repair kit for any more worrying structural problems that are effecting your boat. It can used on polymer and epoxy boats to keep you on the water at an event. When your event is over P&B's Peter Jackson is a our experienced pro and when it comes to anything boat repair related and retuning your boat to anaesthetically and structurally sound state as good as new.
6. Always make sure you have a rule book on hand as you never quite sure when you'll be needing it.
7. Keeping energy levels high is a must in some of the more gruelling events so it's always a good idea to have snacks and fluid on hand. Torq enegry gels, drinks and bars are a favourite with the P&B staff as they provide a much need boost to energy levels just at the right time. Even after a days' sailing Torq also provide a recovery drink which the P&B team swear by.

So your boat is perfect, set up correctly, you have the right clothing and you're fully prepared for any eventuality, now you just have to think about the racing. It's always a good idea to have a vision of what you want to achieve before hand and although you may stray from this path you will always be able to gauge where you are in terms of your aims for the championships.

No doubt every sailor has a different method of preparation but there really is no right from wrong when it comes to getting ready for an event. Although some of what is on this list might come under common sense the tendency to forget something important is almost common practice. In that case we hope you find these tips helpful when pushing your boat out on the water.

When leaving an event give your boat a good wash down as salt and sand will corrode and seize the blocks and cleats up and also it's not the best for the sails or the ropes ether. Even at inland events you must always give your boat a good wash to eliminate the risk of spreading water borne problems such blue alley and killer shrimp.