is it always so hard to find a d****d mooring??
- Thread starter millym
- Start date
tom52
Well-Known Member
Jerryat,
I wish the yachting/sailing clubs in Poole felt the same way.
I live in Poole and both Parkstone and Poole Yacht Clubs are so oversubscribed that they do not even operate waiting lists.
You have to start from scratch each year with a new application. I only applied once and was so unimpressed with the offhand impersonal reponse from both that I decided not bother again.
I explained that I lived locally and had the time and interest to help with racing safety boat work and other practical race organisation but that my personal interests were cruising and socialising with others interested in sailing.
Perhaps my mistake was to admit to not being a racer or perhaps no one even read my application ?
I wish the yachting/sailing clubs in Poole felt the same way.
I live in Poole and both Parkstone and Poole Yacht Clubs are so oversubscribed that they do not even operate waiting lists.
You have to start from scratch each year with a new application. I only applied once and was so unimpressed with the offhand impersonal reponse from both that I decided not bother again.
I explained that I lived locally and had the time and interest to help with racing safety boat work and other practical race organisation but that my personal interests were cruising and socialising with others interested in sailing.
Perhaps my mistake was to admit to not being a racer or perhaps no one even read my application ?
Robin
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
I wish the yachting/sailing clubs in Poole felt the same way.
I live in Poole and both Parkstone and Poole Yacht Clubs are so oversubscribed that they do not even operate waiting lists.
You have to start from scratch each year with a new application. I only applied once and was so unimpressed with the offhand impersonal reponse from both that I decided not bother again.
I explained that I lived locally and had the time and interest to help with racing safety boat work and other practical race organisation but that my personal interests were cruising and socialising with others interested in sailing.
Perhaps my mistake was to admit to not being a racer or perhaps no one even read my application ?
[/ QUOTE ]
Tom
Well Parkstone have a big list of new member candidates on the noticeboard right now (normal procedure just as a final check to keep out mass murderers and Jetskis) so some were persistent enough to get in.
Poole, Parkstone and Royal Motor Yacht Club all have marinas as well as swinging moorings. Poole and Parkstone both have huge dinghy membership and even RMYC has dinghies/keelboat racers. As a result it is hardly surprising is it that there are lots of people wanting to join these clubs as Poole is one of the best places in the country to live and sail from. Parkstone YC, which I belong to, is a fantastic club, we have around 2,500 members including the family members and I forget the deatailed totals but some 500 cruisers of which maybe 180 are in the club marina. Even a couple or three of PBO folks are members as well as some other forum members so they aren't too fussy! Then there are the other Poole clubs, also with their own moorings like Lilliput SC, East Dorset SC and upriver at Wareham YC.
The system of waiting lists at PYC I understand was changed because of the huge numbers applying nowadays, some applicants will apply to all the clubs in the hope of getting in one which makes the lists not truly representative and difficult to administer. Additionally, clubs will try and maintain a balance between dinghy members (even by dinghy class), cruiser members and cruiser racing members so yet another complication. Joining a club to get a cheaper mooring is not the best reason to impress of course.
The message is simple, if you really want to join then apply, apply at the right time and if you are not instantly accepted then understand it isn't something personal just try again next year. The communication you will have had BTW will have been by a 'standard letter' from the paid folk in the office, a one size fits all kind of letter and maybe seemed less friendly as a result.
See http://www.parkstoneyachtclub.com/pageabout.html for details.
Rant over.
Robin
I wish the yachting/sailing clubs in Poole felt the same way.
I live in Poole and both Parkstone and Poole Yacht Clubs are so oversubscribed that they do not even operate waiting lists.
You have to start from scratch each year with a new application. I only applied once and was so unimpressed with the offhand impersonal reponse from both that I decided not bother again.
I explained that I lived locally and had the time and interest to help with racing safety boat work and other practical race organisation but that my personal interests were cruising and socialising with others interested in sailing.
Perhaps my mistake was to admit to not being a racer or perhaps no one even read my application ?
[/ QUOTE ]
Tom
Well Parkstone have a big list of new member candidates on the noticeboard right now (normal procedure just as a final check to keep out mass murderers and Jetskis) so some were persistent enough to get in.
Poole, Parkstone and Royal Motor Yacht Club all have marinas as well as swinging moorings. Poole and Parkstone both have huge dinghy membership and even RMYC has dinghies/keelboat racers. As a result it is hardly surprising is it that there are lots of people wanting to join these clubs as Poole is one of the best places in the country to live and sail from. Parkstone YC, which I belong to, is a fantastic club, we have around 2,500 members including the family members and I forget the deatailed totals but some 500 cruisers of which maybe 180 are in the club marina. Even a couple or three of PBO folks are members as well as some other forum members so they aren't too fussy! Then there are the other Poole clubs, also with their own moorings like Lilliput SC, East Dorset SC and upriver at Wareham YC.
The system of waiting lists at PYC I understand was changed because of the huge numbers applying nowadays, some applicants will apply to all the clubs in the hope of getting in one which makes the lists not truly representative and difficult to administer. Additionally, clubs will try and maintain a balance between dinghy members (even by dinghy class), cruiser members and cruiser racing members so yet another complication. Joining a club to get a cheaper mooring is not the best reason to impress of course.
The message is simple, if you really want to join then apply, apply at the right time and if you are not instantly accepted then understand it isn't something personal just try again next year. The communication you will have had BTW will have been by a 'standard letter' from the paid folk in the office, a one size fits all kind of letter and maybe seemed less friendly as a result.
See http://www.parkstoneyachtclub.com/pageabout.html for details.
Rant over.
Robin
tom52
Well-Known Member
Robin
I applied to Parkstone three or four years ago. First by detailed letter as instructed on the telephone and then I completed the form which was sent in response to my letter (and asked for all the same information).
I made it clear that I did not need a club pontoon or swing mooring.
After a wait of several months the resulting offhand letter was addressed to me personally and I took it that way.
The gist of the reply was .....Thanks but we have got enough members, and the demand is so great each year that we do not need to keep a waiting list. But you can apply again next year if you wish........I did not wish to repeat the experience.
Yes, I know that Parkstone have recently decided to expand the membership. More money required ?
A member friend suggested, recently that I apply again . I declined.
I applied to Parkstone three or four years ago. First by detailed letter as instructed on the telephone and then I completed the form which was sent in response to my letter (and asked for all the same information).
I made it clear that I did not need a club pontoon or swing mooring.
After a wait of several months the resulting offhand letter was addressed to me personally and I took it that way.
The gist of the reply was .....Thanks but we have got enough members, and the demand is so great each year that we do not need to keep a waiting list. But you can apply again next year if you wish........I did not wish to repeat the experience.
Yes, I know that Parkstone have recently decided to expand the membership. More money required ?
A member friend suggested, recently that I apply again . I declined.
Robin
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
Yes, I know that Parkstone have recently decided to expand the membership. More money required ?
[/ QUOTE ]
The membership is not being expanded at all and the current fresh intake is simply to replace the normal turnover as happens each and every year. The Club has no idea how many will renew membership for sure until the time comes that money has to change hands ie subscriptions paid up by end of January, hence this is the time new applications are considered to replace those not renewing. In purely practical terms any club will welcome new members, each one brings not just fresh blood but a joining fee in addition to the first years subs!
There IS a waiting list of course, but the list is cancelled after each year's fresh intake has happened and not re-opened until later in the new year. That way keeps the list absolutely current without the office staff having to spend time checking individually who on the list is still interested many months on, some may well have joined other clubs, moved away or even died for example. Bear in mind many of our members are from out of town, quite a few from London and new applicants mirror this. Some, let's say from London as an example, may have applied to many different clubs on both the south and the east coasts, why should clubs spend time and money chasing after what might be ghosts on their waiting lists?
I'm not involved in any way at PYC except as a very happy member but am genuinely sorry you felt office staff there were offhand or wrote an offhand reply. I'm sure the same letter was sent, also addressed 'personally' to all of the unsuccessful applicants, small consolation but true.
Robin
Yes, I know that Parkstone have recently decided to expand the membership. More money required ?
[/ QUOTE ]
The membership is not being expanded at all and the current fresh intake is simply to replace the normal turnover as happens each and every year. The Club has no idea how many will renew membership for sure until the time comes that money has to change hands ie subscriptions paid up by end of January, hence this is the time new applications are considered to replace those not renewing. In purely practical terms any club will welcome new members, each one brings not just fresh blood but a joining fee in addition to the first years subs!
There IS a waiting list of course, but the list is cancelled after each year's fresh intake has happened and not re-opened until later in the new year. That way keeps the list absolutely current without the office staff having to spend time checking individually who on the list is still interested many months on, some may well have joined other clubs, moved away or even died for example. Bear in mind many of our members are from out of town, quite a few from London and new applicants mirror this. Some, let's say from London as an example, may have applied to many different clubs on both the south and the east coasts, why should clubs spend time and money chasing after what might be ghosts on their waiting lists?
I'm not involved in any way at PYC except as a very happy member but am genuinely sorry you felt office staff there were offhand or wrote an offhand reply. I'm sure the same letter was sent, also addressed 'personally' to all of the unsuccessful applicants, small consolation but true.
Robin
Rabbie
Well-Known Member
This months PBO - moorings available in Poole - Tel. 01202/621514 or 07970/471227.
tom52
Well-Known Member
Robin
I am sure that Parkstone is a wonderful club. ( notwithstanding the manners and col regs knowledge of some of the dinghy racers /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif ) After all I did apply to join at one time.
Having many membership applications from outside of the area,from people that may have applied to many clubs does perhaps influence the way applications are processed.
The attitude of clubs to local rather than distant potential members is I believe what started this correspondence.
If nothing else some greater consideration to local applicants would improve the life and bar takings in the weekday and winter months.
But irrespective of their location I think any application should be treated with greater consideration and courtesy than mine was.
Asking people to make contact again to reaffirm their interest each year if they wish to be reconsidered is a reasonable thing to do.
Throwing everything away and asking them to start the whole tedious process again from scratch each year is not IMHO.
I am sure that Parkstone is a wonderful club. ( notwithstanding the manners and col regs knowledge of some of the dinghy racers /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif ) After all I did apply to join at one time.
Having many membership applications from outside of the area,from people that may have applied to many clubs does perhaps influence the way applications are processed.
The attitude of clubs to local rather than distant potential members is I believe what started this correspondence.
If nothing else some greater consideration to local applicants would improve the life and bar takings in the weekday and winter months.
But irrespective of their location I think any application should be treated with greater consideration and courtesy than mine was.
Asking people to make contact again to reaffirm their interest each year if they wish to be reconsidered is a reasonable thing to do.
Throwing everything away and asking them to start the whole tedious process again from scratch each year is not IMHO.
mikejames
Well-Known Member
All last year, Port Hamble (second most expensive marina on the Hamble) had a sign up offering berths.
When I bought the boat 10 years ago I didnt know there was a problem with berths - with a 24 footer I found space immediately in Port Hamble (even though berth was for up to 32 footer). Bigger boats had to queue for moorings.
I gave up on the Evil Empire when the annual mooring bill reached 50% of the value of the boat.
I won a berth in the annual member's mooring ballot of the Royal Southern YC for one year and then Hamble River SC offered me a more permanent trot mooring because I had spent several years doing RIB driving for them, and I asked at a time when they had some berths free.
The main message is that there will probably be places in the most expensive marinas (Dolphin Haven ?) and then once you are established you will be able to hunt down the real bargains/
When I bought the boat 10 years ago I didnt know there was a problem with berths - with a 24 footer I found space immediately in Port Hamble (even though berth was for up to 32 footer). Bigger boats had to queue for moorings.
I gave up on the Evil Empire when the annual mooring bill reached 50% of the value of the boat.
I won a berth in the annual member's mooring ballot of the Royal Southern YC for one year and then Hamble River SC offered me a more permanent trot mooring because I had spent several years doing RIB driving for them, and I asked at a time when they had some berths free.
The main message is that there will probably be places in the most expensive marinas (Dolphin Haven ?) and then once you are established you will be able to hunt down the real bargains/
duncan
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
The main message is that there will probably be places in the most expensive marinas (Dolphin Haven ?) and then once you are established you will be able to hunt down the real bargains/
[/ QUOTE ]
Dolphin Haven is theoretically required to maintain mainly visitor berths theough the summer months (100 I believe) but that's theory...........be about 4k for the 6 months for the Tod I think but unlikely to get in.
Salterns is I believe more expensive...............but may actually have a few spaces at that size /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif
The main message is that there will probably be places in the most expensive marinas (Dolphin Haven ?) and then once you are established you will be able to hunt down the real bargains/
[/ QUOTE ]
Dolphin Haven is theoretically required to maintain mainly visitor berths theough the summer months (100 I believe) but that's theory...........be about 4k for the 6 months for the Tod I think but unlikely to get in.
Salterns is I believe more expensive...............but may actually have a few spaces at that size /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif
millym
Member
thanks everyone for your very very helpful replies!!
& apologies for my initial post being one big whinge!
i made more phone calls & have made some headway & we're off down to poole this weekend to go round & speak in person to a few of the contacts ive sorted out.
as you were all so helpful maybe you can help us find a cheap pontoon mooring in poole??? oh ok im only kidding......... i know those 4 words words just dont go together anytime anywhere anyhow!
our tod t is 28ft - ive put a pic of ours as my avatar but it looks a bit squashed in the pic not sure why - my lack of resizing skills??
i actually was under the impression when we bought our boat that we were going to use it(& moor it) on the thames as we live 10 min walk from the river but my husb is now insisting he wants it kept in poole!!! but thats another long & boring saga i wont inflict on you. ive aslo suggested the east coast but i live with one rather stubborn man!
oh & excuse my ignorance but what is a trot mooring???
& apologies for my initial post being one big whinge!
i made more phone calls & have made some headway & we're off down to poole this weekend to go round & speak in person to a few of the contacts ive sorted out.
as you were all so helpful maybe you can help us find a cheap pontoon mooring in poole??? oh ok im only kidding......... i know those 4 words words just dont go together anytime anywhere anyhow!
our tod t is 28ft - ive put a pic of ours as my avatar but it looks a bit squashed in the pic not sure why - my lack of resizing skills??
i actually was under the impression when we bought our boat that we were going to use it(& moor it) on the thames as we live 10 min walk from the river but my husb is now insisting he wants it kept in poole!!! but thats another long & boring saga i wont inflict on you. ive aslo suggested the east coast but i live with one rather stubborn man!
oh & excuse my ignorance but what is a trot mooring???
duncan
Well-Known Member
trot mooring is one where you are nose to tail on mooring buoys (as oposed to in a marina with pontoons!)
use a tender to get out to the boat each time - or a club launch.
use a tender to get out to the boat each time - or a club launch.
Sailfree
Well-Known Member
Having read the thread I would comment as follows;-
We joined Parkstone some 13 yrs ago. We chose Parkstone as we wanted to actively sail and learn to race a Wayfarer. Previous experience was a 2 week learn to windsurf/dinghy sail holiday! I was told to emphasis that as the club wanted to encourage sailing as opposed to being a drinking and dinning club for locals! While bar takings add to the clubs coffers they are a sailing club. The club has an active racing program for certain classes of Dinghys and they try to maintain a balanced membership in each of the classes and including the bigger cruising boats. We were fortunate that at the time of our application the Wayfarer fleet nmeeded some more members.
Motorboat membership is limited to existing older members that sadly find MoBo s the only way they can get on the water as sailing has become to taxing for them. Hence their marina is mainly full of sailing boats rather than a sunseeker parking lot as other Poole Harbour marinas are becoming.
I have found Parkstone an excellent club and I suspect the way they try to keep a balanced active sailing club membership is no different from many other clubs that are in a popular sailing area where there is a potential over application for membership.
I think if I wanted to join the club today I would try to join in the area that I was interested in eg offer to crew for that class of Dinghy or crew for the bigger boats that go either cruising or racing. All clubs respond to "active" applications better than a letter that could be merely representing someone who has got to find somewhere else than their front garden to park their boat.
I am sorry that a standard letter from busy office staff offended you but as Robin said please look at it from the clubs perspective. We hope to be actively racing our dinghy there this year and visiting in our cruiser and I am sure I will meet many people crewing or otherwise getting involved in club activities who will go on to be members.
We joined Parkstone some 13 yrs ago. We chose Parkstone as we wanted to actively sail and learn to race a Wayfarer. Previous experience was a 2 week learn to windsurf/dinghy sail holiday! I was told to emphasis that as the club wanted to encourage sailing as opposed to being a drinking and dinning club for locals! While bar takings add to the clubs coffers they are a sailing club. The club has an active racing program for certain classes of Dinghys and they try to maintain a balanced membership in each of the classes and including the bigger cruising boats. We were fortunate that at the time of our application the Wayfarer fleet nmeeded some more members.
Motorboat membership is limited to existing older members that sadly find MoBo s the only way they can get on the water as sailing has become to taxing for them. Hence their marina is mainly full of sailing boats rather than a sunseeker parking lot as other Poole Harbour marinas are becoming.
I have found Parkstone an excellent club and I suspect the way they try to keep a balanced active sailing club membership is no different from many other clubs that are in a popular sailing area where there is a potential over application for membership.
I think if I wanted to join the club today I would try to join in the area that I was interested in eg offer to crew for that class of Dinghy or crew for the bigger boats that go either cruising or racing. All clubs respond to "active" applications better than a letter that could be merely representing someone who has got to find somewhere else than their front garden to park their boat.
I am sorry that a standard letter from busy office staff offended you but as Robin said please look at it from the clubs perspective. We hope to be actively racing our dinghy there this year and visiting in our cruiser and I am sure I will meet many people crewing or otherwise getting involved in club activities who will go on to be members.
oldgit
Well-Known Member
"with more places to go in a weekend than anywhere else in the UK." and zillions of other boats to do it with you. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif
millym
Member
thanks to everyone who replied to my post. heard today & looks like we're moving to a pontoon berth at cobbs quay.
yipee................... no more faffing with the s*****g tender every weekend.
yipee................... no more faffing with the s*****g tender every weekend.
duncan
Well-Known Member
congratulations!
I am sure you will be very happy there!
are we likely to see you at one of our numerous forum BBQ meets in Poole over the summer?
I am sure you will be very happy there!
are we likely to see you at one of our numerous forum BBQ meets in Poole over the summer?
