How to join

[l'escargot]

I spent my childhood as a Cowes resident and we often referred to Cowes as 'West' Cowes to differentiate from the East bit. If someone asked where I was from it was always 'Cowes' but locals would speak of either west or east in conversation. There are a couple businesses that refer to themselves as 'West Cowes xxxxx' as well. I think that it's a local thing.

Overners maybe but you will never hear a native refer to "West" Cowes or find it on a map...

 

[akyaka]

How do you go about joining a new yacht club in an area where you know no one. Like, if you move the boat to a new area?

Assuming that this is your situation just say where abouts you are based and I am sure that you will get responses from members of clubs in the area .

 

[ianat182]

At my club new members are welcomed and often as a family membership. An application obtained from the club administrator and completed. If unable to obtain a first hand proposer the applicant is invited to a meeting with the membership secretary and/or the club executive who ask the normal questions of the applicant's interests/experience,and willingness to help the different working groups,bar, house and grounds,Regatta,and rescue boat crewing; then are seconded, and their names placed on the Club noticeboard; the object here is to allow any objection to the granting of membership by existing members to be discussed in committee during the 1 month waiting period.
Social memberships are discouraged and powerboats limited to small ones that older members use to keep active or use to assist mark laying at regattas. Boat ownership is not a criteria,and Club moorings are allocated by seniority of membership and size of boat.
None of the duties are irksome and security volunteers tend to live locally for key contact access.
New ideas for social events are welcomed and run for both the adult and younger club members. Function rooms for members or sailing connected functions can be hired by members.
We're on the Hamble, at Warsash, with all states of tide access for trailer sailers, dinghies and a waiting jetty for short term mooring of yachts. Most importantly a friendly welcome by office and members.
try 01489 583575 Charon Baggeley for further info and forms.


ianat182

 

[Robin]

We (me and the family) move around the country every few years and wherever we are, I join the local sailing clubs. Although the rules always require to be introduced by club members, in practise and if your face fits you will be accepted with open arms. At present I am a member in two well known clubs near the Solent. All clubs welcome the right people.

Absolutely and not living locally as someone suggested is no indication of a likely lack of participation in club events. I belonged to one DIY YC for 25 years where members laid and serviced all the moorings amongst many projects and it was always the locals that failed to turn up for a 'mooring party' weekend in winter and often siting weak excuses whereas the long distance folk mostly came regardless having also slept on board their boat in the park ashore. I was a mooring party team Leader and one wintry weekend had one 70 year old from 120 miles away turn up for his 'duty' in sub zero conditions but did complain his gnashers had frozen in their overnight glass next to his bunk that night, where he hd slept on board. Next day 3 more locals failed to arrive for day 2 of their work party, one left a message saying he had to go to church and couldn't make it.

 

[Stemar]

In my club, you can opt out of work parties by paying a fee, but not turning up will cost you a fine of double the fee.