RS200 Nationals: Your ultimate pre-championship boat checklist!

RS200 © RS Sailing

The Nationals are coming. You've booked the accommodation, entered the event and hopefully spent some time on the water. But is your boat ready?

The good news is that a thorough pre-Nationals check doesn't take long and can make the difference between a week spent racing and a week spent repairing.

1. Check all ropes and bungees

• Inspect every control line and piece of bungee. If in doubt, replace it!
• Pay special attention to the mainsheet bridle attachment to the hull—a common failure point.
• Check your halyards! If in doubt replace it. And always bring a spare! You don't want any race in your nationals to be ruined by a main halyard breakage.

2. Foils

• Check the leading edges on both your rudder and daggerboard!
• Also, while you're here check your UJ on your tiller extension and rudder stock for any play or corrosion.

3. Check your Slot gasket!

• Now is the time to check your slot gasket and replace if necessary. You don't want to be missing out on the evening socials because of this classic Nationals repair job.

RS200 Slot Gasket
Hypabond Adhesive & Solvent

This video below, by Pete Vincent, owner of West Country Boat Repairs, our SW Ugly Tour sponsor, explains the process very clearly.

4. Polish your hull

• A polished hull dramatically reduces surface friction and water drag. A quick wash with some fairy liquid will defiantly improve things. However, if you want to do a proper job some McLube Hull Kote polish would be great!

Harken McLube Hull Kote - RS Sailing

5. Check your road trailer!

Now is also a good time to make sure your polished fast RS200 can safely make it to the nationals without any break downs!

• Check your road trailer wheels run smooth and the bearings aren't making any load noises.
• Grease those bearings!
• Pump up your tyres!

The Essential RS200 Spares Box

• Electrical tape
• Spare split rings
• Dyneema
• Shockcord
• Spare main halyard
• Spare tiller extension joint
• Multi-tool
• McLube or silicon spray!
• Cable ties
• Spinnaker repair tape