Two Different Clubs

[shanemax]

I have just left Manningtree Sailing club. I arrived high tide on Friday the 11th August 2023 at 21.00 but could not hang around as they were small tides and I needed get to Tesco express for provisions. I came in by dinghy, their bar is upstairs and there were members on the balcony. Out of politeness I asked if I could use the buoy I was on while I went shopping.
The reply was a yes and please come in for a pint "as it is cheaper than the pub next door" Another member said I could use the showers.
Lets move on to the second club at the top of the Orwell. I called there as they have a general store within 10 meters of their club. I spoke to a man who was sweeping out the club entrance. I explained I was visiting yachtsman and wanted to go to the shop for supplies. I quote he said
" visiting yachtsman are not welcomed" and if I went out the locking gate he would not let me back in. I was somewhat surprised and said are you not a member of the RYA and he said "so what" I said are we not all meant to help each other out. With that I went back to my boat.
It is sad one club can be welcoming and the other the opposite.
Perhaps we should produce a list of clubs 1 to 10 in attitude.

 

[MoodySabre]

You should complain to the commodore and ask them to respond here. Club moorings at the top of the Orwell - I can only think of one place.

 

[Plum]

I have just left Manningtree Sailing club. I arrived high tide on Friday the 11th August 2023 at 21.00 but could not hang around as they were small tides and I needed get to Tesco express for provisions. I came in by dinghy, their bar is upstairs and there were members on the balcony. Out of politeness I asked if I could use the buoy I was on while I went shopping.
The reply was a yes and please come in for a pint "as it is cheaper than the pub next door" Another member said I could use the showers.
Lets move on to the second club at the top of the Orwell. I called there as they have a general store within 10 meters of their club. I spoke to a man who was sweeping out the club entrance. I explained I was visiting yachtsman and wanted to go to the shop for supplies. I quote he said
" visiting yachtsman are not welcomed" and if I went out the locking gate he would not let me back in. I was somewhat surprised and said are you not a member of the RYA and he said "so what" I said are we not all meant to help each other out. With that I went back to my boat.
It is sad one club can be welcoming and the other the opposite.
Perhaps we should produce a list of clubs 1 to 10 in attitude.

MoodySabre is right. Suggest you take this up with the club as I would hope the committee would be grateful to you for letting them know they have one antisocial member that is giving a false impression of the club.

Www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk

 

[Snowgoose-1]

I have just left Manningtree Sailing club. I arrived high tide on Friday the 11th August 2023 at 21.00 but could not hang around as they were small tides and I needed get to Tesco express for provisions. I came in by dinghy, their bar is upstairs and there were members on the balcony. Out of politeness I asked if I could use the buoy I was on while I went shopping.
The reply was a yes and please come in for a pint "as it is cheaper than the pub next door" Another member said I could use the showers.
Lets move on to the second club at the top of the Orwell. I called there as they have a general store within 10 meters of their club. I spoke to a man who was sweeping out the club entrance. I explained I was visiting yachtsman and wanted to go to the shop for supplies. I quote he said
" visiting yachtsman are not welcomed" and if I went out the locking gate he would not let me back in. I was somewhat surprised and said are you not a member of the RYA and he said "so what" I said are we not all meant to help each other out. With that I went back to my boat.
It is sad one club can be welcoming and the other the opposite.
Perhaps we should produce a list of clubs 1 to 10 in attitude.

It would have been nice if you had phoned the club for a reaction before posting the above. You could then help others who may be thinking of visiting.

 

[adamstjohn]

You should complain to the commodore and ask them to respond here. Club moorings at the top of the Orwell - I can only think of one place.

I am pretty sure that i am a member of this club and have been so for 22 years. That saddens me to hear and i will mention it informally to the commodore. Pretty sure i know the gent referred to. He must have been having a bad day as is genuinely a lovely guy with whom i interact on a regular basis. I spend loads of time turning up to other peoples clubs and always receive the warmest of welcomes as you would kind of expect. it is one of the nicest clubs on the orwell in my opinion.

 

[shanemax]

I am pretty sure that i am a member of this club and have been so for 22 years. That saddens me to hear and i will mention it informally to the commodore. Pretty sure i know the gent referred to. He must have been having a bad day as is genuinely a lovely guy with whom i interact on a regular basis. I spend loads of time turning up to other peoples clubs and always receive the warmest of welcomes as you would kind of expect. it is one of the nicest clubs on the orwell in my opinion.

Thanks for your reply. I was a member at your club from 83/88. I helped build your first slip (the one not used any more) In those days they showed a welcome to visitors. I was taken aback by the reception I received. The shop next to your club is probably the most convenient shop in the entire Orwell/Harwich/Stour area.

 

[sailorman]

I have just left Manningtree Sailing club. I arrived high tide on Friday the 11th August 2023 at 21.00 but could not hang around as they were small tides and I needed get to Tesco express for provisions. I came in by dinghy, their bar is upstairs and there were members on the balcony. Out of politeness I asked if I could use the buoy I was on while I went shopping.
The reply was a yes and please come in for a pint "as it is cheaper than the pub next door" Another member said I could use the showers.
Lets move on to the second club at the top of the Orwell. I called there as they have a general store within 10 meters of their club. I spoke to a man who was sweeping out the club entrance. I explained I was visiting yachtsman and wanted to go to the shop for supplies. I quote he said
" visiting yachtsman are not welcomed" and if I went out the locking gate he would not let me back in. I was somewhat surprised and said are you not a member of the RYA and he said "so what" I said are we not all meant to help each other out. With that I went back to my boat.
It is sad one club can be welcoming and the other the opposite.
Perhaps we should produce a list of clubs 1 to 10 in attitude.

Oyc

 

[adamstjohn]

Thanks for your reply. I was a member at your club from 83/88. I helped build your first slip (the one not used any more) In those days they showed a welcome to visitors. I was taken aback by the reception I received. The shop next to your club is probably the most convenient shop in the entire Orwell/Harwich/Stour area.

Shanemax, that kind of makes it even worse. just for info, did you put your boat on either of the pontoons? was there a space issue , was it busy? any other interactions?

Many thanks
adam

 

[adamstjohn]

Oyc

grin away all you like Roger....

 

[xyachtdave]

Oyc

I thought it was referring to FMYC!

 

[sailaboutvic]

Someone let the club down badly

“” It is justifiably proud of its friendly atmosphere and of the spirit of self-help that has resulted in continuous improvements to the services and facilities offered to its members; Club members are very willing to help each other when this is needed. Most of the Club facilities have been created by members working together, mostly on out-of-season Saturday morning working parties that we have each spring or autumn; these are important to the Club so that costs can be kept down, but also provide a good social opportunity for members to get to know each other.“”

 

[Wansworth]

Whilst in Plymouth in my youth I called at one of the yacht clubs to see If I could use their toilet and have a wash……..I must admit I was not looking my best but was shocked that the steward came down to checkI was not wreaking the place and informing me I could not use the showers

 

[sailaboutvic]

Whilst in Plymouth in my youth I called at one of the yacht clubs to see If I could use their toilet and have a wash……..I must admit I was not looking my best but was shocked that the steward came down to checkI was not wreaking the place and informing me I could not use the showers

Well we all know your type don't we

 

[oldgit]

Every club has its fair share ,, from personal observations it appears to be older and more long term members of a "club" who seem to be the main offenders,regarding the club and everything in it as their personal property.

 

[johnalison]

Every club has its fair share ,, from personal observations it appears to be older and more long term members of a "club" who seem to be the main offenders,regarding the club and everything in it as their personal property.

I can't say that this has been my experience, either in the clubs I have joined or those I have visited. Maybe this is not much use, since I can't actually remember feeling unwelcome anywhere, including some Royal clubs along the South Coast, though I have avoided visiting the Solent group unless introduced by members.

 

[sailorman]

I thought it was referring to FMYC!

 

[shanemax]

Shanemax, that kind of makes it even worse. just for info, did you put your boat on either of the pontoons? was there a space issue , was it busy? any other interactions?

Many thanks
adam

For information I picked up a single unused mooring out in the river. You could tell it was unused by the growth on it. That's my normal practice as you do not anyone and you are not disturbed yourself. I came in by dinghy wearing a thin gas inflation life jacket.
I left the dinghy on the wooden pontoon out of the way of anyone following

 

[shanemax]

For information I picked up a single unused mooring out in the river. You could tell it was unused by the growth on it. That's my normal practice as you do not anyone and you are not disturbed yourself. I came in by dinghy wearing a thin gas inflation life jacket.
I left the dinghy on the wooden pontoon out of the way of anyone following

It was not busy. Just the guy sweeping the entrance doors.

 

[oldgit]

I can't say that this has been my experience, either in the clubs I have joined or those I have visited. Maybe this is not much use, since I can't actually remember feeling unwelcome anywhere, including some Royal clubs along the South Coast, though I have avoided visiting the Solent group unless introduced by members.

Have never had problem in any of the other clubs have visited over the years quite the opposite, however have observed some fairly unwelcoming things at my own club.
When a new member you are reluctant to call out the attitude of more senior members however uncomfortable the event.

 

[shanemax]

Not FMYC. FMYC is a good marina with friendly, helpful people who go out of their way but its a long way to walk from there especially if it is raining as opposed to 10 meters from a gate