5.1 Boat Care
The RS Feva is made using Comptec PE3, a three-layer polyethylene construction. This is
stiff and light, but will dent if subjected to point loading. The boat should be supported ashore
on an approved RS trolley, as the hull may distort if not supported properly. For long-term
storage, it is better to support the boat on a rack, in slings, or another type of support that
spreads the weight and avoids point loads. The hull can also be stored on the transom, but
never store the boat for long periods on its side. When dealing with a marine environment,
equipment gets wet; this in itself is not a problem. The problem starts when moisture is
trapped for any length of time. Therefore, it is very important to store the boat properly
ashore.
Keep your dinghy drained and well ventilated
Ensure that the boat is stored with the bow raised to allow water to drain away.
Wash with fresh water
Fresh water evaporates far more quickly than salt water so if your dinghy has been sailed in
salt water, rinse it thoroughly. The fittings will also work better if regularly washed.
Any stubborn marks on the hull can be removed with a light detergent, such as washing
up liquid. Always test cleaning products on a small, inconspicuous part of the deck before
applying to the whole boat.
Hull damage falls into three categories:
•
SERIOUS
– large hole, split, crack, or worse. Don’t be too distressed! Get the remnants
back to RS Racing so we can assess the damage.
•
MEDIUM
– small hole or split. If this occurs during an event, sailing can often be continued
as long as leaking can be prevented by drying the area and applying strong adhesive tape.
CAUTION – if the damage is close to a heavily loaded point, then the surrounding area
should be closely examined to ensure that it will accept the loads. Get the damage
professionally repaired as soon as possible.
•
SMALL
– dents, scratching. This type of damage is not boat threatening.
Comptec PE3 cannot be repaired in the same way as fibre glass. Some scratching can be
removed be RS Racing staff, but dents cannot. Therefore we suggest you treat your boat
with as much care as you would if it were fibre glass. More serious repairs can be carried
out by RS Racing staff; however, the repair will never be invisible, due to the nature of the
material.
The joy of owning an RS Feva is that it is very hard wearing, and any dents and scratches it
receives will not affect the structural integrity of the hull.
