Split Seat on the RS Toura – Mend or Replace?

We genuinely don’t know how we managed it, but one of the RS Toura seats has developed a split. No dramatic capsize, no crunching noises, just one day a crack where a solid seat used to be. Boats have a habit of doing that.

Now comes the familiar sailing-club dilemma: mend or replace?

Option 1: Replace the seat 😬

The simple answer… and the painful one. A replacement seat from RS Sailing fits perfectly, looks pristine, and restores the boat to “as new”.

The downside?

• Eye-watering cost

• Perfectly good GRP going to waste

• Money that could otherwise buy sails, entry fees, or beer 

Option 2: Mend it 🔧

A repair is cheaper and surprisingly effective if done properly:

• Drill a tiny hole at each end of the crack to stop it spreading

• Grind back the area

• Glass fibre + epoxy or polyester resin underneath or try these staples that can melt into the material.

• Clean thoroughly

It won’t look factory-fresh, but it’ll be strong, safe, and water-tight—which, on a training and family boat, is what really matters.

The real question 

Is the seat structural or just something to sit on?
If it’s still stiff and not flexing badly, a repair makes a lot of sense. If it’s moving under load, replacement may be the wiser long-term option.

In our case, we don't sit on it much, but we can snag trousers and salopettes on it.

As with so much in sailing, it’s a balance between cost, practicality, and how precious you feel about the look of the boat.