The meaning of Cowes week.

[jason -and the arguenauts]

But why would they want to? There is no huge financial return to the island population as a whole. Contrary to popular belief it doesn't create untold wealth for the beleagured islanders who should doff their caps in gratitude. Most of the money goes off the island to shareholders of national and international companies. It's a bit like saying Londoners should be grateful for the boatshow and and promote the week - perhaps they should even chip in and pay for a firework display for all the visitors to watch on the last day!

One memory of sailing down the French Atlantic coast is the firework displays and free concerts put on by the locals at almost every port to attract tourists. Seen the same thing in many other countries, but apparently the idea of attracting tourists who spend their money in the local economy doesnt work in the IoW. Well if it doesnt, then that can only be a reflection on the inhabitants lack of get up and go.

Seems to be a British disease. There are no opportunities, only problems.

I'm not suggesting that what sounds like bloated empire building in the race organisation should be subsidised, but maybe the locals ought to thing about how they help increase participation and add to the attraction. Maybe a bye law limiting mooring charges at marinas?

 

[Dyflin]

One memory of sailing down the French Atlantic coast is the firework displays and free concerts put on by the locals at almost every port to attract tourists.

Are you sure they weren't just celebrating every time you left a harbour

 

[BuzzFan]

IOW ideas

But why would they want to? There is no huge financial return to the island population as a whole. Contrary to popular belief it doesn't create untold wealth for the beleagured islanders who should doff their caps in gratitude. Most of the money goes off the island to shareholders of national and international companies. It's a bit like saying Londoners should be grateful for the boatshow and and promote the week - perhaps they should even chip in and pay for a firework display for all the visitors to watch on the last day!

This is very offtopic, but so hope flaming wont object.

In short, the reputation of Cowes week is international, recognised far beyond the sailing fraternity, in the manner of a classy, national annual event, and this is a great boost to the tourism image.

Other than state support, the island economy seems to rely on farming, tourism, nursing homes and mainly low grade development/building repairs.

Yachting and Cowes's historic image add considerably more cachet to the island than any cost to the island, so I see that as a benefit.

You've only got to go a few hundred metres inshore within Cowes to forget there's a yottie element, let alone to Newport, Ryde, Ventnor, Shanklin et al, so I dont think the islanders beyond the yottie fringe suffer much from any nautical infection.

Over the past 20+ years, there has been far less substantial investment in it's image and in it's development infrastructure compared to the Channel isles, and Cornwall etc. Most of the mainland south coast from poole to brighton is a hive of commercial activity - why not the island?

One commercial deterrent is the commercial freight cost of crossing the Solent. I'm sure there's an economic case for heavily subsidised ferries (free nighttime crossings for goods re-exported after processing?), zero council rates on manufacturing sites & tourist property as well as decent pr.

 

[lw395]

A lot of vested interests in the IoW want to keep it separate from mainland influence. This extends to keeping ferry prices high and limiting ferry traffic.
When you consider that Skye has a much smaller economy and got a bridge built you might begin to see what its about.
The Island has had some industry on it, including Decca/Plessey/Siemens Radar and many associated companies in that field. few people want to work there though, and there is always pressure to move back to 'reality' as my ex Plessey colleagues put it.

That leaves tourism and prisons.

 

[temptress]

I no longer do Cowes week. In the 80’s and 90’s I would not have dreamt of missing it. But I agre it’s not a regatta anymore and I don’t find it enjoyable. The sailing is spoilt by too many charter boats with crews that can’t handle them and a complete rip off ashore.

 

[curve]

I no longer do Cowes week. In the 80’s and 90’s I would not have dreamt of missing it. But I agre it’s not a regatta anymore and I don’t find it enjoyable. The sailing is spoilt by too many charter boats with crews that can’t handle them and a complete rip off ashore.

I felt like that when I was racing in the larger boats but now I have downsized to a little keel boat the sailing is much friendlier and more competitive. The bonus being with my class start I don't have to be up that early to nurse the hangover.

 

[temptress]

Actually the last Cowes week I did was in a smaller keelboat, a Daring. The racing was Ok but all the shoreside rip-offs just put me off.

Most of the other regattas I go to are just so much more fun I can’t be bothered with Cowes week at all

 

[fireball]

The one bit of Cowes week we enjoy is the Friday night fireworks ... infact it's the only bit we go to!

It's so popular that the local radio station even charters a ferry for an onboard party ...

 

[l'escargot]

A lot of vested interests in the IoW want to keep it separate from mainland influence. This extends to keeping ferry prices high and limiting ferry traffic.
When you consider that Skye has a much smaller economy and got a bridge built you might begin to see what its about.
The Island has had some industry on it, including Decca/Plessey/Siemens Radar and many associated companies in that field. few people want to work there though, and there is always pressure to move back to 'reality' as my ex Plessey colleagues put it.

That leaves tourism and prisons.

Not a very accurate assessment. There is more mainland influence on the island now than ant traditional "island" influence. The only reason that ferry fares are so high is that the mainland companies who own them keep the prices high for their mainland shareholders and ferry traffic is hardly limited - it continues to gro w year on year. The reason there is no bridge is that the government learnt after paying for the Skye one that it will never be paid for. The only hope would be private finance and they would have to charge a similar rate per crossing as the ferry to make any return.

Tourism died 20 years ago does not feature to anywhere near the same levels in the island economy. Prisons are going the same way and I think they will be gone from the island as well in another 20 years -and in terms of employment the NHS and local government employ more people

The IW is now just another county of England with a similar varied economy. The only relevance of it being an island is that the last and first 10 miles of any journey to or from it will take about an hour an be inordinately expensive.

 

[moondancer]

All this sounds like a reason to join others who have seen the light and do Ramsgate and Burnham Weeks.

 

[Mal113]

Cowes week is that not where there are plenty of udders on display, or am I confused with the Royal Bath and West

 

[DownWest]

Semaine du Golfe in MorBihan, Brittany. No entrance fee, free moorings/ cranage, subsidised camping (some with fixed tents). Free pic-nics and B.B.Qs plus group welcomes. No noticable jacking of local prices, great atmosphere and friendly officals. Not much racing as such, but might be an example of how to orginise an event. Some corporate stuff on the big boats, no prob. other than dodging them in the tide races.
A

 

[Judders]

See you all in Torbay then?

 

[curve]

If you really want to see the 'new' meaning of Cowes week take a wander to Egypt Point and have a gander at the two-storey white monstrosity that has gone up to serve the Ishares Cup VIP guests. More than enough room for the champers and salmon canopes. Thank goodness that this white elephant was not plonked on The Green.

 

[islandsailor]

I think you'll find that the ishares tent is open to all and that the exreme 40 racing will be very close to the shore and viewable to all. In Kiel last year 1000's of people lined the shore it is a fantastic spectacle and great racing that can be followed from onshore. The event is run by a Island company that employs over 40 people in Cowes. Funny they have cities all over the world wanting them to bring their event to them and in their home town they get resitance. Go and have a look at the first weekend I think you will change your mind.

 

[curve]

Strange though it seems there are some people who lives in Cowes who are not interested in sailing.

 

[Judders]

Strange though it seems there are some people who lives in Cowes who are not interested in sailing.

The economic truth is they would be very interested if the marine jobs suddenly left the town.

Compare the economy of Falmouth with the rest of West Cornwall and you'll see what I mean. There are some very skilled jobs in the yachting industry with decent careers which other leisure sectors don't provide. That income gets spread around the rest of the local economy. It's not perfect but it's a damn sight better than being lumbered with 'Tourism' per se.

 

[fireball]

The extreeme 40 racing is awsome!! We managed to get close to them when they were racing off Southsea a few years back ... SWMBO and Brother filled up data cards with the camera batteries reaching an all time low!! Got some superb shots!

 

[l'escargot]

The economic truth is they would be very interested if the marine jobs suddenly left the town.

Compare the economy of Falmouth with the rest of West Cornwall and you'll see what I mean. There are some very skilled jobs in the yachting industry with decent careers which other leisure sectors don't provide. That income gets spread around the rest of the local economy. It's not perfect but it's a damn sight better than being lumbered with 'Tourism"

Not like for like comparison. You compare the economy of Cowes with the rest of the Isle of Wight and not only would it be at the smaller end of the scale but you would find that there are very few "decent careers" in the yachting industry and even fewer that feed into the local economy.

 

[fireball]

so - none of the yard workers or marina staff live or spend their money on the IOW? Ok - they're not all "high flying" careers ... but they all earn money and spend it somewhere!