sailing clubs

[Aeolus_IV]

Seems strange to me to think of a sailing club as having berths and somewhere secure to keep boating equipment. Indeed, our current club has none of these and doesn't even have shows - so why is this? Well, it is based in the middle of a reasonably new marina, where (in theory) the pontoons are secure, and the facilities provided by the operator of the marina include all of the normally expected services. So why did the sailing club start? I can only say that when we bought our boat and berthed it in the marina we pratically didn't think of not joining it. The main reason is that it provides (for us at least) a good focal point within the marina for meeting friends, for organising racing (friendly and more serious), for having a bite to eat when we simply cannot face cooking at home. All of the normal reasons that social clubs exist, only (on the whole) everyone you meet in the club takes some pleasure out of boating (raggie or stinkie). It is nice to see and meet people from other parts of the country, and I think that a local sailing/yaching club makes a more obvious meeting point than any one of the local eating/drinking establishments. Certainly once we get to doing a bit of cruising past our local stopping points, I'd like to think that there would be a warm welcome in the local club, and advice about where to go afterwards.

2p contributed.

Jeff.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Robin]

Re: Yes, but I think there is a misunderstanding here

All the Poole clubs have moorings varying from drying to deep water, some very cheap by commercial standards (Lilliput SC, East Dorset SC, Redclyffe YC. Three clubs have marina berthing (Poole YC, Parkstone YC and Royal Motor YC). Most of these have also storage ashore facillities, tender storage etc as well as dinghy parking for racing fleets etc.

The clubs do not exist just to provide cheap facilities (say that in an application and you will very rightly get turned down for membership!), but dinghy and keel boat racing, cruising in company, social and educational functions too. I have belonged to clubs for all but 2 years out of 35 years or so, including for 20 years when I lived a 2hr drive away too.

Currently belong to Parkstone YC in Poole, founded in 1895 and now probably the best club on the South Coast whether for dinghies or keel boats AND we have powerboats too. Currently we have waiting lists I believe in all categories and something like 2,500 members all up including family members.

Cheaper beer and a good restaurant are a bonus, friendships and common interest are what count. I'm not really a social animal, in the season normally leave within 45 minutes of getting on board on Friday afternoons and return late Sunday afternoons and then talk and talk until finally SWMBO drags me home, I still enjoy membership and think it well worth the cost.







<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[claymore]

Re: Yes, but I think there is a misunderstanding here

<I agree that if you keep a boat in a marina you might not belong to a Club>

I would take that a little further and suggest that since the marina opened in Fleetwood dock, Blackpool and Fleetwood Yacht Club - of which I'm a member, has suffered a downturn in membership.
Perhaps owners saw this as a necessary economy when paying Berthing fees or perhaps membership of the Yacht Club was considered to be unneccesary/irrelevant once their boats had gone into the marina from the (drying)wooden jetties that line the foreshore adjacent to the club.
My boat is 280 miles away but I retain membership of the club because I can get a beer there and chat with friends whom I've sailed with and raced against when we all had dinghies.

<hr width=100% size=1>regards
Claymore
/forums/images/icons/smile.gif

 

[SteveA]

Nick,

I see your point and in your position would have probably done the same. I live about 500yds from our club. As others have already mentioned as well as the social side it's very useful for storing all the bits - dinghies, outboards etc. We also have our own workshops All for 40 quid a year and another 100quid for storing the yacht on the hard.

Steve.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Jools_of_Top_Cat]

The cost of a drink and a chat

This is interesting, if the club at Pwllheli had these facilities all well and good.

But I only want to wander in for an occasional drink or two. This would mean two memberships one each for me and my girlfriend. Approx £180 per annum.

I don't race, if I did; no problem, I can see the benifits of membership. But an occassional drink and the chance to meet people moored around me with out shouting over is all I want. £180 is a lot for the priviledge. I can't justify it, but could be persuaded, someone please help me justify it.

<hr width=100% size=1><font color=blue> Julian </font color=blue>

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.topcatsail.co.uk>Homepage</A>

 

[jimi]

Re: The cost of a drink and a chat

Realy depends how much you drink .. if a pint is 20p cheaper then you need to drink 900 pints a year to break even.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Forbsie]

Re: The cost of a drink and a chat

British Motor Yacht Club in Teddington overcome this by having a £5 social membership. If they had more than a dozen or so full members, I would imagine that this would cause major problems but as it is, it probably keeps the place viable.

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.arweb.co.uk/argallery/forbsie?&page=1>My Project</A>

 

[tcm]

Re: The cost of a drink and a chat

There you go - your financial wizardry solves the problem. Mind you, the number of cheap rubbish drinks i have had over the years must have saved many thousands if not millions of pounds.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[longjohnsilver]

Re: The cost of a drink and a chat

So one nite out a week = break even, 2 nites = big profit!

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Juggler7823]

Re: The cost of a drink and a chat

Jools,

I feel I must reply to your comments and those from others in this thread.

Pwllheli Sailing Club is a limited liability company owned by the members. It has to be self sustaining. Membership fees are a major source of revenue. Drinks in the bar are cheaper than in th local pubs. It is not in the business of providing moorings, berths, hardstanding, dinghy parks etc. These are all provided locally on a commercial basis. Membership fees are relatively high (certainly not compared to golf clubs etc) but you have exagerated them slightly. The club does offer social membership to local non-sailing people. Visitors are allowed to be signed in for up to 6 times a year.

If the club does not suit you, thats fine, a membership of more than 900 indicates it does suit some people. There is the motor boat club which is not too far away from your mooring and there is many pubs in the town. Alternatively, if you want to talk to the people on adjacent moorings, why not invite them on board for a coffee or beer.

The sailing Club is a friendly meeting place, whose members are interested in sailing/boating and particularly cruising. Many people (myself included) travel 2 hours on Friday evening and still meet in the bar on Friday evening.

<hr width=100% size=1>LOM

 

[Jools_of_Top_Cat]

Re: The cost of a drink and a chat

I agree, I am not knocking the club itself, thank you for answering and explaining the high cost of membership IMHO for what I would like to get from the club. I would like to be a member, I really would, I am just struggling to justify the cost to myself.

I was in the club on New Years Eve as a guest, and the people seemed really nice, I would like to get to know them better. I just think for an occassional Saturday it is going to hurt the bank a little.

Your comments about golf clubs is not quite the same though, members of golf clubs get full use of the course, a golf club member would never pay such high fees to just go in and drink in the bar.

I am considering joining myself and signing my girlfriend in, then we can see how much we use it.

Sorry if you think my post was against Pwllheli sailing club, far from it, I was looking for encouragement to join, someone to tell me that it is the best thing they have ever done etc. If I come over the wrong way, I appologise.

<hr width=100% size=1><font color=blue> Julian </font color=blue>

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.topcatsail.co.uk>Homepage</A>

 

[Heckler]

Re: The cost of a drink and a chat

hiya jools
still interested in the exhaust hose? if so will bring down on friday, might even sign you in the club!
stu

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Jools_of_Top_Cat]

Re: The cost of a drink and a chat

is that sign in only if I buy the hose?

<hr width=100% size=1><font color=blue> Julian </font color=blue>

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.topcatsail.co.uk>Homepage</A>

 

[Heckler]

Re: The cost of a drink and a chat

nah!
sign in if you dont, and only if mam isnt there, only allowed to sign in 2 at atime
stu
ps do you want me to bring hose for inspection?
s

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Jools_of_Top_Cat]

Re: The cost of a drink and a chat

no, I have enough if I go ahead and drop through the bridge deck, see other thread, although I have to check I have access enough to do it.

I may come back to you on it later, but don't keep it for me, I have to plan what I need to do.

Won't be there till Saturday now, it is SWMBO birthday and I have to take her out for eats tonight.

see ya

<hr width=100% size=1><font color=blue> Julian </font color=blue>

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.topcatsail.co.uk>Homepage</A>

 

[Oldhand]

I agree. I learned all my basic sailing skills by joining experienced club members on their boats as well as taking any opportunity to crew in races, including the Fastnet. It appears fom some of the respondents that they believe a sailing club is only of any use if it can provide moorings, a bar and not take up any time. They don't know what they are missing and it is all to obvious when they are out on the water.

<hr width=100% size=1>