Time to work on the boat (and finally do those jobs you’ve been putting off)
When the red boards go up on the River Thames, sailing stops.
The river is in spate, the stream is strong, and common sense (and the Harbour Master) says stay ashore.
But red boards don’t mean the sailing season is over.
They mean the maintenance season has begun.
And even if your boat is made of GRP, there is still plenty to do.
🛠️ GRP Isn’t “Maintenance-Free”
Glass Reinforced Plastic has a reputation for being indestructible.
It isn’t. It’s just forgiving.
Red board days are perfect for:
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Cleaning and inspection – hull, cockpit, centreboard case
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Checking fittings – loose screws, worn shackles, tired cleats
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Control lines – frayed sheets, stiff halyards, mysterious knots that appeared during the season
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Buoyancy checks – bags inflated, valves sound, no slow leaks
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Rudder and centreboard – pivots tight, blades smooth, no unexpected play
You’ll almost always find something that makes you think
“Ah… that explains that.”
⚓ The Jobs We All Put Off
Red boards are when honesty kicks in.
That list you’ve been mentally maintaining all summer:
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“I’ll sort that later”
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“It still works… mostly”
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“That creak is probably fine”
Now’s the time.
It’s much nicer discovering issues in wellies on the bank than waist-deep in February water.
❄️ Winter Work = Spring Confidence
A winter spent quietly fettling pays off hugely:
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Faster rigging in spring
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Fewer failures afloat
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More time sailing, less time fixing
And perhaps most importantly:
you start the new season knowing your boat is ready — not hoping it is.
🌧️ Red Boards as a Gift
Yes, we’d all rather be sailing.
But red boards force a pause — and that pause makes the rest of the season better.
The river will drop.
The boards will come down.
And when they do, the boat will be cleaner, safer, and quietly grateful.
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