RYA value for money?

oldbilbo

oldbilbo

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Those good folk at the RYA sent me a copy of their 'Wavelength' magazine again, seeking that I fork out some shekels. Quite a lot of 'em, actually - £120 for 5 years' worth of magazines and car stickers. Among all the other blandishments are offers of '25% OFF' just about everything, including a new Volvo car.

Now I hadn't considered a new Volvo, for the old 850 estate was very good VFM while it lasted. The SWMBO totalled it some years ago by running slap into the rear of a big muck-spreader ( without lights or indicators, of course ), but she did walk/stagger away from the unfortunate event. I s'pose that's when Volvos earn their keep!!

However, there are also Great Reductions on Musto, Y&Y, Aviva, Spinlock, Bolle - and many other household-name providers of goods/services - some of which I might be persuaded I really want. Oh, and I would qualify for a freebie International Certificate of Confidence, or summat.....

So, good forumeers, is it Worth It? :rolleyes:
 
RYA legal helped me to avoid a £2k loss on a duff engine.

While they didn't take any direct action, their advice and the other party knowing they were involved helped a lot.
 
oldbilbo said:
Those good folk at the RYA sent me a copy of their 'Wavelength' magazine again, seeking that I fork out some shekels. Quite a lot of 'em, actually - £120 for 5 years' worth of magazines and car stickers. Among all the other blandishments are offers of '25% OFF' just about everything, including a new Volvo car.

Now I hadn't considered a new Volvo, for the old 850 estate was very good VFM while it lasted. The SWMBO totalled it some years ago by running slap into the rear of a big muck-spreader ( without lights or indicators, of course ), but she did walk/stagger away from the unfortunate event. I s'pose that's when Volvos earn their keep!!

However, there are also Great Reductions on Musto, Y&Y, Aviva, Spinlock, Bolle - and many other household-name providers of goods/services - some of which I might be persuaded I really want. Oh, and I would qualify for a freebie International Certificate of Confidence, or summat.....

So, good forumeers, is it Worth It? :rolleyes:
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Yes,

In my opinion, my RYA membership has opened up a whole new world to me and allowed me and my family to experience a vocation that many other people were lucky enough to be born in to, or have had many years to develop. Without my RAY DS and ICC I could not have just sailed for a week in Greece and seen how happy my children were working winches, tying knots, tying fenders, swimming in warm seas and generally having a great time. Even SWMBO enjoyed it (especially the wine!).

RYA membership services has helped my colleagues and I with foreign ICC and training issues, and I now that RYA legal is there if I need them.

I know what RYA does regarding standardisation of training and the progress they have made, with others, in advancing the safety and enjoyability of sailing.

Like any organisation the RYA cannot please everyone. I don't yet use or need half of what they do, but that does not change the fact that they can deliver a lot for a small outlay on my part.

I, for one, am a happy customer.

Andy
 
I have been an RYA member for a long time, originally because I needed to be in order to be various sorts of RYA instructor, but now just because I support most of what they do to fight off well-intended but stupid legislation. The more members they have the more clout they have in telling government that we do not need compulsory government-run boat and user licensing, boats restricted to sailing area by their RCD classification, and any other rubbish like that (law in some countries).

The 'offers' do not seem to be much of an attraction to me anyway. I buy my Volvos after someone else has taken the hit of the first year or twos depreciation.
 
jwilson said:
I buy my Volvos after someone else has taken the hit of the first year or twos depreciation.
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We sat in a couple of the new V-machines today. M'lady pronounced them none too comfortable. I wondered whether I was quite ready to project what the salesman called 'The Volvo Image' and wondered what kind of boat that ought to be.....

Instead, I've become just a little smitten by this....


48533_351524.jpg



The dear ol' SWMBO reckons that would be hard to get into, and even harder to get out of. I'm thinking I wouldn't be particularly bothered about getting out.... ;)

Now if dear old Auntie RYA were to negotiate a 25% discount on one of those, I'd be queuing at the door in the morning..... AND I'd go to Stuttgart to collect it ( with my shiny new ICC firmly grasped in my hot little hand! )
 
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oldbilbo said:
We sat in a couple of the new V-machines today. M'lady pronounced them none too comfortable. I wondered whether I was quite ready to project what the salesman called 'The Volvo Image' and wondered what kind of boat that ought to be.....

Instead, I've become just a little smitten by this....


48533_351524.jpg



The dear ol' SWMBO reckons that would be hard to get into, and even harder to get out of. I'm thinking I wouldn't be particularly bothered about getting out.... ;)

Now if dear old Auntie RYA were to negotiate a 25% discount on one of those, I'd be queuing at the door in the morning..... AND I'd go to Stuttgart to collect it ( with my shiny new ICC firmly grasped in my hot little hand! )
Click to expand...

Looks perfect for towing the jet ski.
 
Yes. Most of what they do is unseen behind the scenes which inevitably opens them up to accusations of doing nothing except supporting snotty wee dinghy racers.

Some great offers recently, 50% off some Gill items and others for instructor members. Okay, all big organisations have some waste but I think they do well on balance.
 
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