Has to be an individual decision. What do I get out of it? Quite a lot of social sailing with the Solent Section, cheap(er) courses during the winter, and the occasional winter lecture. Plus the feeling that I'm putting a little back in to sailing, coz my membership helps subsidise the work of the CA's technical committees who do solid, unsung work on behalf of all cruisers - offshore, coastal, inland, sail, power.
As to passage planning, I have no plans for long passages so not much use to me, but the library (available in person, online or over the phone) is probably the best cruise planning resource in the country, if not the world. And another thing worth weighing if you are cruising longer distances is the CA's network of representatives in local and far-flung ports and harbours, either to obtain info at the planning stage, or to help when you've arrived and have some sort of problem.
I agree with Ken - plus you can borrow from an incredible range of sailing books from their library and read magazines I can't afford.
As I live in Somerset - I find it their cabins a convenient and economical place to stay - with some food and a bar on site.
Ken
If you're planning to sail beyond the channel, all the pilot books and charts you need are available in their library. When it comes to buying your own charts and pilot books for the voyage, your 10% discounts (for many other things too) will more than pay for the membership fees.
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I think its worth if you do quite alot of cruising, and want a lot of charts. 10% discount if by Admiralty pubs from them.
[/ QUOTE ] Oh ****! I've been a member for years, have used the library, the cabins and the bar at Limehouse and get a lot out of the bimonthly magazine, but I didn't know about the discount scheme, and have spent a small fortune on charts over the past two years.
Also, for what it's worth, the CA has a warrant to issue permits to fly defaced ensigns.
Totally agree with Ken's point about suporting the valuable contribution that the CA makes, effectively benefitting all cruisers. I'm not an active member, but use the cheap overnight facilities from time to time, also the library, and have enjoyed many first class lectures.
I have learnt a lot from CA cruisers vastly more experienced than I.
Just thought of another invaluable benefit - for those cruising either the Baltic or the Mediterranean.
There's an email network for each area, where one can post questions or updates to local regs, pilotage matters or services to all others subscribing to the networks. Very useful indeed . . .