Winter Maintenance at Ramsgate Sailing School: Keeping Elizabeth in Top Condition for 2025

Winter maintenance is a crucial part of keeping any sailing yacht in prime condition, and here at Ramsgate Sailing School, we’re making sure Elizabethis shipshape and ready for the season ahead. While the work schedule hit a slight delay (James swapped spinnakers for sightseeing on a month-long adventure around India!), and the weather hasn’t always been on our side, progress is now full steam ahead.

This week, we’ve been focusing on two key tasks antifouling the hull and replacing the sacrificial anodes, essential maintenance to keep Elizabethperforming at her best in the waters of Ramsgate and beyond.

Why Antifouling Matters for Speed, Efficiency & the Environment

If you’ve ever noticed a boat looking sluggish in the water, there’s a good chance marine growth on the hull is to blame. Without antifouling, algae, barnacles, and other marine organisms quickly take hold, creating drag that reduces speed by over a knot and increases fuel consumption when under engine.

Antifouling paint works by gradually releasing a biocide, preventing this build-up and keeping the hull smooth and efficient. The good news? Modern antifoul is far kinder to the environment than it used to be. Advancements in marine coatings mean we can now keep Elizabeth gliding effortlessly through the water while minimising our ecological impact.

Today’s calm conditions meant we could finally complete this essential job, ensuring a fresh layer of antifoul is in place for the 2025 sailing season. In the photo, you can see Dennis carefully applying masking tape to ensure a clean finish before the antifoul is rolled on.

Anode Replacement: Protecting Elizabeth from Electrolysis

Alongside antifouling, we’ve also replaced Elizabeth’s sacrificial anodes, small but crucial pieces of zinc that protect her metal components from electrolysis. Over time, electrical currents in the water cause metal fittings to corrode, which can lead to serious damage if left unchecked.

By fitting fresh anodes to the hull, prop shaft, and propeller, we’re ensuring Elizabeth stays protected throughout the season. These anodes wear away gradually, doing their job quietly but effectively, and are replaced annually to keep everything in top condition. In the photo, you’ll spot two new shiny anodes on the propeller shaft, one on the hull, and another on the propeller itself.

What’s Next? A Gleaming Finish for Elizabeth

With the antifouling complete and new anodes in place, the next step is to polish Elizabeth’s topsides until she’s gleaming. A smooth, glossy hull not only looks stunning but also helps reduce drag even further, keeping her sleek and efficient as she slices through the waters off the Kent coast.

With these essential winter maintenance tasks well underway, Elizabeth will soon be back where she belongs, sailing the stunning coastline of Ramsgate and beyond, ready for another fantastic season of training and adventure.

Whether you’re looking to learn to sail in Ramsgate, improve your navigation skills, or embark on a new sailing adventure, there’s no better time to book a course with us. Get in touch today and be one of the first to experience Elizabeth at her best in 2025!