First Proper weekend on my boat but shame about the Yacht Club i tried to stay at.

I

Ian MacAulay

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16 Aug 2014
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Essex/ Hamble
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Took my boat out with a few friends for my first proper weekend trip involving a couple of overnight stays and plenty of fishing and good times. I only have a small 21ft beginner boat but I'm in love and hooked with it already so looking to go a bit bigger. Ive learned a lot about what i need and don't and also my boat performed perfectly so was chuffed with it.... I set out on friday morning and straight away called a local Yacht club at Wareham to see if i could stay the night there and they was more than helpful so i set out fishing for the day ready to return on the afternoon high tide. I moored up where i signed in paid and was given a key and a guided tour by the officer on duty who was a great chap. Everyone went home from the club and we had a sort out on the boat and got ready to go in to town for dinner and a drink when on the pontoon we run in to MR Happy. He in his most helpful manner told us we should not be there and was not allowed this time of year and the officer was wrong so had to move on in the dark at low water. We said this was not possible but he insisted we had enough water and it was fine in the dark!!!! so we gave the keys back and gave it a go up to the Quay side at wareham. Well we got 6ft from the pontoon where we got just 2.3ft of water and started to hit bottom so instantly gave up and reversed back to the pontoon. Mr Happy knew we couldn't but found it rather funny throwing his weight about acting big man and putting us in a dangerous and difficult situation also giving a lovely dig about "you should be fine in your little boat" PMSL. Having took the keys and not willing to let us stay we was confined and stuck on the pontoon moored up with no facilities at all and no way on or off the pontoon. A couple of hours went past and a rising tide about 8pm we took the chance and moved up river to the quay. First proper trip out and i was forced to do this at 8pm when at 10am we had sorted all this with the club so should off all been fine.........


WELL anyway moving on to the more positive bits we got up to Wareham after about 800yards and moored up where we met some great locals and had a nice drink and dinner in the Local quay side pubs. We was happy with this location so after fishing all day saturday we decided to return here. We sat saturday evening in Poole and watched my first amazing sunset off the boat with a few seals that wished to join us. But they sure did not help with the fishing situation ;-)

I wanted to share my weekend with everyone as i loved it even despite the yacht club. I have some great photos i will upload for you all to take a look at.

All the best

Ian
 
Should've told him to eff off and then stayed put. Don't let arrogant prats like that put you off, most people I come across are really nice people.
 
I'd have told him where to go tbh and if he had a problem, to take it up with the guy who assigned the berth. Shame he spoilt an otherwise great weekend. Look forward to the pics.
L
:)
 
First proper trip out and i was forced to do this at 8pm when at 10am we had sorted all this with the club so should off all been fine.........
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I know you were only a guest at the club and perhaps a little on the defensive , but this really does need addressing.
I would be popping a letter into the post addressed to the Commodor or club secretary, about the treatment you received and request an answer.
You may think that you cannot be bothered or its not worth the effort, but you were treated pretty badly in my opinon and it should be bought to the attention of the club.
 
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Well i did tell them on the phone and i also when i moored up the officer was fantastic and even gave tips and help to my friends who was helping me out... It was one of the top bods later on who was rude and undermining.


We see the seals on two separate occasions. First time was in the channel just off Hampworthy and second was in the wych channel about a mile from the river Frome entrance. The first time they scared the life out of me. I heard a wish of air from the back of the boat so i leaned to look over and it popped up right in my face .


thanks Ian
 
Glad it all turned out ok , BUT, if it were me I would name n shame ESPECIALY after you had already been given to all clear, paid and got keys !!!!!!.......... with a mention on here they MIGHT get their act together !!!!....( ps..please don't think they are all as unhelpfull as them)!!
 
Fairly important as well, did you get a full refund - because if not, they have obtained money by deception... i.e. saying you can and taking your money before saying you can't...

I agree - name and shame.

Amount of money irrelevent
 
When confronted with the chap on the pontoon i said we paid and got a temporary visitors permit and so on he asked for proof so i showed him the recipe that he kept and dived in to his pocket and returned the full amount, i even gave a donation towards electric. On arrival to the quay we was asked about what had happened by locals and it appears that there are many unhappy visitors to REDCLYFFE YACHT CLUB. I would of preferred to keep their name off here but everyone is right as this should be bought up and i would like to have manymore happy trips long term in the area regardless of what boat i own.


PS. If anyone knows how to get photos off a Samsung S5 on to a Macbook pro please let me know PMSl

Thanks

Ian
 
From Their Website.....

Visitor Information...

Redclyffe welcomes visitors and although we have no dedicated visitors buoys we will always try to find a vacant berth for an overnight stay or longer period. There may be space alongside for bilge keel boats up to 30’ on weekdays or else the Officer of the Day will do his best to allocate a fore and aft mooring nearby.

The Club cannot reserve berths in advance but if you are approaching and wish to check on availability please contact the Officer of the Day (Tel: 01929 551227 or call Redclyffe Yacht Club on VHF Ch.80) between 0900 and 1700. Otherwise, approach the pontoon at the downstream end of the Clubhouse, taking particular care if the tide is flooding, and tie up on the yellow lined loading berth where somebody will come to help you.

Many boats visit us each year and often return so do come and look us up and we look forward to welcoming you.
 
i do think he may be of some importance to the club so may just get torn up.
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No club worth its salt would do that !
A short non whinging letter, telling them how disappointed you were at your treatment ....etc etc

If its anything like 99% of other clubs,50% of the membership are just waiting for a chance to make life difficult for the chap that caused you all the aggravation ....go for it :)
 
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oldgit said:
No club worth its salt would do that !
A short non whinging letter, telling them how disappointed you were at your treatment ....etc etc

If its anything like 99% of other clubs,50% of the membership are just waiting for a chance to make life difficult for the chap that caused you all the aggravation ....go for it :)
Click to expand...

All good advice. If what we're told is true (& I have no reason to disbelieve it) then the OPs treatment was disgraceful. Unfortunately there are a few club officials who enjoy pushing their weight around, luckily they are few and far between.
 
Like others, I would have told him where to go, having paid and settled down. If he doesn't like it, then he can take it up with the guy who booked you in. Don't get pushed around like that by unreasonable self important ****'s. Defo, letter polite to the club comm. Don't be put off by this, most clubs and the peops you meet are great and helpful. However, there is always an exception and you found one!
 
With a receipt for a mooring, I would not move in the dark on a poorly lit river under any circumstances, unless my own boat was in danger (e.g. about to be crushed by a returning barge).
 
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