Hardway Sailing Club

[rwoofer]

Just got a nice cheap mooring within a stones throw of Hardway Sailing Club, so would naturally like to join, especially as it would make a sailing trip more family friendly.

From their website it seems that have a capped membership, a waiting list for new members on a first come first served basis and if you aren't applying before April, you need to wait a year. It sounds more daunting than some rather posh yacht clubs I have frequented.

Can any members on here confirm this is the case and what recommendations you might have for someone like myself to join?

 

[Iain C]

I recently joined...it's a great, no frills, very friendly enthusiast's sailing club, with a big emphasis on members getting involved, and it's also very, very good value. A whole winter ashore including craneage cost me less than one month storage in a fairly basic yard! And as for bar prices...

I know the joining process seems a bit odd...it's just a bit archaic, but that's the way it's done. Get your name on the list now and you should hopefully get in next year!

Hopefully see you there soon...dont forget visiting yotties are always welcome anyway.

 

[Poignard]

I used to be a member many years ago when I had a mooring nearby. It was a good club, certainly not posh. The main problem was car parking - it's a bit of a rough area (or it was then).

You had to do two days duty a year; as race officer or some other job. We used to help out in the galley.

 

[z1ppy]

Have they still got that chart on the wall with flashing navigation lights?

Remember spending lots of time there in my youth. Was always good and friendly and far from posh.

Think they have tried hard to improve the area around there of recent years, lots of new houses build on the old military site and there was always that large car park just a few mins walk away?

 

[Iain C]

Well I'm pleased to report that the galley is now professionally run! Car parking is still a bugger, although off springs you can park on the shore.

 

[KINGFISHER 9]

There's a free car park just up the road which is quite safe and you can leave a car there for as long as you like. The club is a bit old fashioned, the drinks are cheap, the pontoon costs £5 a night for members, few of whom seem to pay and £10 for visitors - honesty box. You can put your name down to join for next year but still use the place this year as a visitor. Only cons are ridiculous and very loud live music on Saturday nights now and then and some foul mouthed 'social' members on occasion that they could do without. We've complained about these before now and they've been told off at the time but last time we were in there on a Saturday night a few weeks ago there was a whole family effing and blinding! We use it less than we used to because of this but there's a good pub just down the road - more expensive obviously!

 

[Poignard]

Club facilities have improved a bit over the years! See first photo here:

http://www.hardwaysailingclub.co.uk/history.htm

 

[Bav34]

There's a free car park just up the road which is quite safe and you can leave a car there for as long as you like. !

Sorry but that has changed now. I think it's still free but for a limited period.

 

[pappaecho]

There is a yearly intake which is Feb/March, so ideally get your application in before Xmas, with two proposers. Boat owners are given preference no non owners, specially those who actually sail.

If you are a non member you can still use the pontoon as a visitor, and the scrubbing dock and high pressure washers is also available to non members for a small fee.

The local free car park is no longer free with a limited of 3 hours, but there is a much bigger free one within 5 minutes walk

 

[ostell]

Visited the club by road 'cause we were in the area (visiting Hawke House for headlining bits). Made very welcome, everyone was friendly.

 

[KINGFISHER 9]

Sorry but that has changed now. I think it's still free but for a limited period.

Ah ... didn't realise ... we only visit by boat these days but when I had a Gosport Boatyard (spit) mooring you could park there for a week I think. Not sure there wasn't some means of getting a sticker (?) to show in the windscreen if you were going to be longer

edit ... I was talking about the car park 200 yds up the road ... not the one above the slipway.

 

[Bav34]

Ah ... didn't realise ... we only visit by boat these days but when I had a Gosport Boatyard (spit) mooring you could park there for a week I think. Not sure there wasn't some means of getting a sticker (?) to show in the windscreen if you were going to be longer

edit ... I was talking about the car park 200 yds up the road ... not the one above the slipway.

Sadly it's true.

There is a large free car park just off Heritage Way.

My understanding is that is free for up to seven days.

Gosport Boat Yard used to overcome this seven day restriction by obtaining permits for their customers which gave the unlimited parking that you mentioned.

The permits are now no longer available so GBY's fix is that you leave the car with them if you are going off on an extended journey.