Adding value for ALL RS sailors
- Sets the rules to give great one-design and handicap racing - enhancing resale values
- Organises websites, race reports, news, social media - keeping you informed
- Organises racing events with fantastic social scene - improving your Class’s popularity and value
- Organises training events - helping you get the most from your boat
- Liaises with the builder, RS Sailing - ensuring the quality and specification are what owners want
- Negotiates excellent discounts from the RS Sailing Store, including sail discounts, and many other companies
- Encourages new people to get involved - giving a better experience for everyone
Who is your Class Association?
- It is run by volunteer sailors with back-up by part time professional administrators
- The sailors make the plans and decisions - without having to do all the leg work
Please show support by joining your Class Association
- The cost is tiny compared to your benefits, working out less than a cup of coffee a month!
- By taking out International Class Association membership for one class, you will have reciprocal membership to the RS100, RS200, RS300, RS400, RS600, RS700, RS800, RS Vareo International and International RS500 Class Associations
- One event membership is available for all events except National and major championships, for use by those borrowing a boat, intending to only sail in one RS Class Association event etc. Click here.
Join Online
RS200 Pre-Nationals Pimps: Checklist for Peak Performance
With just 3 weeks to go until the Noble Marine RS200 National Championship, it’s time to make sure your boat is as good as it possibly can be!
Thanks to the Official Chandlery Partner of the Nationals, RS Sailing Store, there will be a spares and repairs service on site, aiming to get you back on the water if something goes wrong, but our RS Class Committee technical Rep, Brendan Lynch has some important advice and some top tips to avoid breakages and as he says ‘pimp your boat’ before you leave home!
1. Check All Ropes and Bungee
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- Inspect every control line and piece of bungee. If in doubt, replace it!
- Pay special attention to the bridle attachment to the hull—a common failure point.
2. Upgrade Jib Halyard Shackles
3. Centralise Leech Telltales
- If telltales stream properly on one tack but not the other, they’re likely offset from the trailing edge.
- Use spinnaker repair tape to align them dead-centre. Cut a small circle of tape, slit the middle, pull the telltale through and stick it in place.
Spinnaker Repair Tape
4. Replace the Slot Gasket
- Water is ~800x denser than air, so gains here are super effective!
- Slot gaskets typically go soft or ‘wobbly’ after a season. Now’s the time to fit a fresh one.
RS200 Slot Gasket
Hypabond Adhesive & Solvent
- This video, by Pete Vincent, owner of West Country Boat Repairs, our SW Ugly Tour sponsor, explains the process very clearly.
5. Check Centreboard Play
- While under the boat, wiggle the centreboard. Too much movement? Use Jap (Glide) Tape to pack it out and reduce friction.
Jap/Glide Tape – 8m
6. Swap Screws for Bolts
- Replace any screws (e.g. on rudder pintles or jib car tracks) with bolts and locking nuts.
- Screwed-in fittings can fail catastrophically under load.
7. Polish the Hull
- Clean and polish your hull—smooth = fast! Wash thoroughly to avoid rubbing grit in.
- For a slick finish (and lemony scent), use:
Harken McLube HullKote
8. Taper Your Kite Sheets
- Untapered sheets sink and drag the kite down in light airs.
- Tapering keeps the kite aloft and flying
Photo: Brendan inspecting his slot gasket! Despite what this photo may show, he doesn't recommend inspecting it on the water!
