RS Sailing
Premier Way, Abbey Park
Romsey Hampshire SO51 9DQ
01794 526760
RS Sailing
Premier Way, Abbey Park
Romsey Hampshire SO51 9DQ
01794 526760

8 Things to Do to Get Your Boat Ready for Winter

October 29, 2021
CAT14 & RS Aero
CAT14 & RS Aero

With colder months rapidly approaching, sailors across the North and Northeast of America are trading their t-shirts for turtlenecks and asking themselves if the weather will hold up for one more weekend of sailing. No matter how hard we try to ignore it, the shortening of days forces us to accept that it is only a matter of time before sunny days and clear skies are replaced by snowstorms and ice. So, as you trade out swimsuits for snow pants and get your wardrobe ready for the season ahead, remember to give your boat the same treatment. RS boats are built to be sturdy and durable but winterizing your boat will help keep it performing at its best for years to come. To help you, we have created eight things you need to do to get your boat ready for winter, so that come spring, it will be nothing but smooth sailing.

One – Remove Sails & Lines

Take your sails and lines off the boat entirely. Inspect your sails and lines for any signs of wear or damage. This is a good opportunity to clean your sails.

Two – Roll and Store Sails

After you inspect and clean your sails, ensure they are dry and then fold and store them. It is best to store your sails in a safe, dry location, like a garage or storage locker. Make sure that wherever you store them is off the ground and away from moisture.

Three – Drop the Mast

Dropping the mast ensures that it does not get damaged during transport or storing. Snow, wind and ice can damage a mast if it is not removed and stored properly.

Four – Drain the Boat – Inside the Hull and Cockpit

This is one of the most important steps when winterizing your boat! Water in the winter is your enemy because it expands when it freezes and can do a lot of damage to your boat. Make sure you drain the hull and cockpit of your boat completely.

Five – Store Your Mast, Boom, Rudder, Daggerboard, Lines, Etc.

Like with your sails, store these items in a safe, waterproof, place off the ground.

Six – Clean & Repair

Now is the perfect time to clean your boat and get rid of any marks and bumps that developed over the summer. We recommend cleaning your boat with a simple sponge and dish soap. For those hard to tackle stains, a natural cleaner, such as Simply Green works well. Bleach can be used for spot treatments but should be diluted. Stronger cleaners run the risk of damaging or removing the gel coat and should be avoided.

Seven – Cover the Boat

Given all the work you just did to drain and clean your boat you want to keep it safe from getting wet and dirty over the winter. Covering your boat will help protect it from weather and moisture. If you don’t have a cover for your boat, you can use a tarp and bungee cords or lines to create a makeshift cover.

Eight – Start Thinking About Spring!

It may seem like spring is a lifetime away, but it will be here in a few short months. If you take care of your boat now and winterize it correctly, you will save so much time and energy come spring. So even as you enter into a state of sailing hibernation, start thinking about all the fun and excitement awaiting you!

If you’ve got any questions on how to best look after your RS, please don’t hesitate to contact the Customer Care team!

 

Share this!

SUBSCRIBE

  • Sign up for RS stories, offers, epic wipeout videos and much more!
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Grant Dalton OBE on Introducing His Son to Sailing: Why the RS Quest is the Perfect Fit

When it comes to sailing, few names are as well-respected as Grant Dalton OBE, CEO of Emirates Team New Zealand. With six Volvo and Whitbread races under his belt, and his wealth of experience and...

Iconic British rope manufacturer Kingfisher Yacht Ropes sponsors RS Fest Miami

RS Sailing are excited to announce a new sponsor onboard for RS Fest Miami 2025, iconic British rope manufacturer Kingfisher Yacht Ropes. The second edition of RS Fest Miami, our multi-class RS...

The RS Feva Eurocup Series is back for 2025!

The International RS Feva Class are excited to announce the Eurocup Series is back for 2025.   Check out the calendar and event details below;   Eurocup 1 19-21 April 2025 RS Feva French...

1 month to go until the RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show 2025

It's one month until our favourite Boat Show of the year, the RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show! We're buzzing with excitement to welcome you onto our magenta carpet, with the RS Team and a boatload...

RS Sailing at boot Düsseldorf 2025: What’s On The Stand?

It's showtime! The magenta carpet is rolled out... we are excited to return to boot Düsseldorf, one of the largest boat shows in the world. This year’s exhibition marks a significant milestone for...

2025 RS Venture Connect European Championship to take place in Norway

By the RS Venture Connect Class The RS Venture Connect Class is pleased to announce that the 2025 European Championship will be hosted by the Royal Norwegian Yacht Club (KNS) in Oslo, Norway. This...

10 events of 2025 – 2025 RS21 UK & Ireland Cup

Event – 2025 RS21 UK & Ireland Cup Event Dates - 6 events from April through to October 2025 Format - 6 Rounds, 50 Races, 1 Champion! Hosted by - Hamble One Design Spring Champs, Royal...

UK & Irish RS400 National Championship

Event – UK & Irish RS400 National Championship Event Dates - 3rd to 8th August 2025* Hosted by - Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club Where – Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club, Cultra,...

10 events of 2025 – RS Feva Sail GP Inspire Program 2025

Event - RS Feva Sail GP Inspire Program 2025 Event Dates - 16-19th January 2025 Hosted by - SailGP Inspire & Royal Akarana Yacht Club Where - Royal Akarana Yacht Club, Auckland, New Zealand...

10 events of 2025 – RS500 World Championship 2025

Event - RS500 World Championship 2025 Event Dates - 4-8th August 2025* Hosted by - Gruppo Vela LNI Follonica Where - Gruppo Vela LNI Follonica, Follonica, Italy How to enter - The NOR isn't released...

Iconic British rope manufacturer Kingfisher Yacht Ropes sponsors RS Fest Miami

RS Sailing are excited to announce a new sponsor onboard for RS Fest Miami 2025, iconic British rope manufacturer Kingfisher Yacht Ropes. The second edition of RS Fest Miami, our multi-class RS...

The RS Feva Eurocup Series is back for 2025!

The International RS Feva Class are excited to announce the Eurocup Series is back for 2025.   Check out the calendar and event details below;   Eurocup 1 19-21 April 2025 RS Feva French...

1 month to go until the RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show 2025

It's one month until our favourite Boat Show of the year, the RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show! We're buzzing with excitement to welcome you onto our magenta carpet, with the RS Team and a boatload...

RS Sailing at boot Düsseldorf 2025: What’s On The Stand?

It's showtime! The magenta carpet is rolled out... we are excited to return to boot Düsseldorf, one of the largest boat shows in the world. This year’s exhibition marks a significant milestone for...

2025 RS Venture Connect European Championship to take place in Norway

By the RS Venture Connect Class The RS Venture Connect Class is pleased to announce that the 2025 European Championship will be hosted by the Royal Norwegian Yacht Club (KNS) in Oslo, Norway. This...

10 events of 2025 – 2025 RS21 UK & Ireland Cup

Event – 2025 RS21 UK & Ireland Cup Event Dates - 6 events from April through to October 2025 Format - 6 Rounds, 50 Races, 1 Champion! Hosted by - Hamble One Design Spring Champs, Royal...

UK & Irish RS400 National Championship

Event – UK & Irish RS400 National Championship Event Dates - 3rd to 8th August 2025* Hosted by - Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club Where – Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club, Cultra,...

10 events of 2025 – RS Feva Sail GP Inspire Program 2025

Event - RS Feva Sail GP Inspire Program 2025 Event Dates - 16-19th January 2025 Hosted by - SailGP Inspire & Royal Akarana Yacht Club Where - Royal Akarana Yacht Club, Auckland, New Zealand...

10 events of 2025 – RS500 World Championship 2025

Event - RS500 World Championship 2025 Event Dates - 4-8th August 2025* Hosted by - Gruppo Vela LNI Follonica Where - Gruppo Vela LNI Follonica, Follonica, Italy How to enter - The NOR isn't released...

10 events of 2025 – RS200 National Championship

Event – RS200 Noble Marine National Championship 2025 Event Dates - 3rd to 8th August 2025* Event Schedule - Sunday 3rd - optional coaching, a gate start seminar, race briefing and commodores's...

The RS Feva Eurocup Series is back for 2025!

The International RS Feva Class are excited to announce the Eurocup Series is back for 2025.   Check out the calendar and event details below;   Eurocup 1 19-21 April 2025 RS Feva French...

1 month to go until the RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show 2025

It's one month until our favourite Boat Show of the year, the RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show! We're buzzing with excitement to welcome you onto our magenta carpet, with the RS Team and a boatload...

RS Sailing at boot Düsseldorf 2025: What’s On The Stand?

It's showtime! The magenta carpet is rolled out... we are excited to return to boot Düsseldorf, one of the largest boat shows in the world. This year’s exhibition marks a significant milestone for...

2025 RS Venture Connect European Championship to take place in Norway

By the RS Venture Connect Class The RS Venture Connect Class is pleased to announce that the 2025 European Championship will be hosted by the Royal Norwegian Yacht Club (KNS) in Oslo, Norway. This...

10 events of 2025 – 2025 RS21 UK & Ireland Cup

Event – 2025 RS21 UK & Ireland Cup Event Dates - 6 events from April through to October 2025 Format - 6 Rounds, 50 Races, 1 Champion! Hosted by - Hamble One Design Spring Champs, Royal...

UK & Irish RS400 National Championship

Event – UK & Irish RS400 National Championship Event Dates - 3rd to 8th August 2025* Hosted by - Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club Where – Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club, Cultra,...

10 events of 2025 – RS Feva Sail GP Inspire Program 2025

Event - RS Feva Sail GP Inspire Program 2025 Event Dates - 16-19th January 2025 Hosted by - SailGP Inspire & Royal Akarana Yacht Club Where - Royal Akarana Yacht Club, Auckland, New Zealand...

10 events of 2025 – RS500 World Championship 2025

Event - RS500 World Championship 2025 Event Dates - 4-8th August 2025* Hosted by - Gruppo Vela LNI Follonica Where - Gruppo Vela LNI Follonica, Follonica, Italy How to enter - The NOR isn't released...

10 events of 2025 – RS200 National Championship

Event – RS200 Noble Marine National Championship 2025 Event Dates - 3rd to 8th August 2025* Event Schedule - Sunday 3rd - optional coaching, a gate start seminar, race briefing and commodores's...

10 events of 2025 – RS21 World Championship 2025

Event - RS21 World Championship 2025 Event Dates - 24-27 September 2025* Where - Tuscany, Italy. The International RS21 Class Association, in collaboration with RS Sailing and the RS21...

1 month to go until the RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show 2025

It's one month until our favourite Boat Show of the year, the RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show! We're buzzing with excitement to welcome you onto our magenta carpet, with the RS Team and a boatload...

RS Sailing at boot Düsseldorf 2025: What’s On The Stand?

It's showtime! The magenta carpet is rolled out... we are excited to return to boot Düsseldorf, one of the largest boat shows in the world. This year’s exhibition marks a significant milestone for...

2025 RS Venture Connect European Championship to take place in Norway

By the RS Venture Connect Class The RS Venture Connect Class is pleased to announce that the 2025 European Championship will be hosted by the Royal Norwegian Yacht Club (KNS) in Oslo, Norway. This...

10 events of 2025 – 2025 RS21 UK & Ireland Cup

Event – 2025 RS21 UK & Ireland Cup Event Dates - 6 events from April through to October 2025 Format - 6 Rounds, 50 Races, 1 Champion! Hosted by - Hamble One Design Spring Champs, Royal...

UK & Irish RS400 National Championship

Event – UK & Irish RS400 National Championship Event Dates - 3rd to 8th August 2025* Hosted by - Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club Where – Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club, Cultra,...

10 events of 2025 – RS Feva Sail GP Inspire Program 2025

Event - RS Feva Sail GP Inspire Program 2025 Event Dates - 16-19th January 2025 Hosted by - SailGP Inspire & Royal Akarana Yacht Club Where - Royal Akarana Yacht Club, Auckland, New Zealand...

10 events of 2025 – RS500 World Championship 2025

Event - RS500 World Championship 2025 Event Dates - 4-8th August 2025* Hosted by - Gruppo Vela LNI Follonica Where - Gruppo Vela LNI Follonica, Follonica, Italy How to enter - The NOR isn't released...

10 events of 2025 – RS200 National Championship

Event – RS200 Noble Marine National Championship 2025 Event Dates - 3rd to 8th August 2025* Event Schedule - Sunday 3rd - optional coaching, a gate start seminar, race briefing and commodores's...

10 events of 2025 – RS21 World Championship 2025

Event - RS21 World Championship 2025 Event Dates - 24-27 September 2025* Where - Tuscany, Italy. The International RS21 Class Association, in collaboration with RS Sailing and the RS21...

10 events of 2025 – RS Fest Miami 2025

Event – RS Fest Miami 2025 Event Dates : March 28th - 30th 2025 Hosted by – Coconut Grove Sailing Club Where – Miami, USA at Coconut Grove Sailing Club Dates – Check out the full...

Pin It on Pinterest