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Sailing Club Catchment Areas

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Poll Question: How far do you regularly travel to your sailing club of choice?
Poll Choice Votes Poll Statistics
55 [51.40%]
24 [22.43%]
16 [14.95%]
9 [8.41%]
3 [2.80%]
0 [0.00%]
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rb_stretch View Drop Down
Really should get out more
Really should get out more


Joined: 23 Aug 10
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Post Options Post Options   Quote rb_stretch Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Sailing Club Catchment Areas
    Posted: 10 Feb 11 at 3:01pm
Have to say I'm in a bit of fleet dilemma myself. My local club Island Barn is less than a mile as the crow flies (3 miles, 5mins by car). It has good relatively clean wind for an inland location, which is why I'm a member there sailing a 1972 floppy GRP Solo. I bought the Solo cheaply as I wanted to test if it is the right class for me. The Solo fleet racing is actually very good and I've still got plenty to learn, but I've now realised that I'm just too physcially big for it, especially in light winds where I'm about as nimble as an elephant when trying to move (squeeze) around.

Tested a Phantom which was a revelation in comparison, so I just had to get one.  Nearest fleet is Frensham Pond which also happens to be a very nice club with very friendly and welcoming members. Problem is that it is at least 35 mins away outside of rush hour. So do I go for convenience of local club, but face handicap racing, or travel further to sail in a very active Phantom fleet????

Dilemma, dilemma....
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Rupert View Drop Down
Really should get out more
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Joined: 11 Aug 04
Location: Whitefriars sc
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Post Options Post Options   Quote Rupert Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10 Feb 11 at 2:44pm
I have a feeling that more cat designs fall into the same performance bracket than Monohulls do, so you don't get the "bandit in a light wind" crap to quite the same extent. I'm sure it still happens that some boats do better in some conditions, but not to the same extent. This would mean fairer racing for cats, so it would breed less bad feeling and "it doesn't matter, its only a handicap race" stuff.
Firefly 2324, Puffin 229, Minisail 3446 Mirror 70686
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JimC View Drop Down
Really should get out more
Really should get out more
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Joined: 17 May 04
Location: United Kingdom
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Post Options Post Options   Quote JimC Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10 Feb 11 at 1:47pm
Something that's interesting to me is how few people have mentioned driving past the nearest club to get to the club with the right fleet. Club atmosphere/people/facilities/firendliness/water seems to me to have come up a lot more often.
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Laser 173312 View Drop Down
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Joined: 08 May 07
Location: United Kingdom
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Post Options Post Options   Quote Laser 173312 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10 Feb 11 at 1:33pm
Not me, yet. It is something I'm thinking about when I next move.
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patj View Drop Down
Really should get out more
Really should get out more


Joined: 16 Jul 04
Location: Wiltshire
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Post Options Post Options   Quote patj Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10 Feb 11 at 1:27pm
Less than 10 mins to local puddle with friendly club but poor wind and about 45 mins (an hour if Cheddar Gorge is full of grockles) to Bristol Corinthian which has the space and wind for a decent blast.
Another option we looked at were clubs where it was further to drive but you could camp on site.
 
Actually how many of us have chosen our house for its proximity to a sailing club and the resultant social life?
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Laser 173312 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote Laser 173312 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10 Feb 11 at 10:46am
Just over 20 miles for me to Greensforge. Excellent Friendly club.
 
I was a member at Telford club is only 5 miles away for a couple of years, but the water is shared with a model boat and a water ski club. So you get a nice day for a sail and the club doesn't have use of the water.
What made it worse was the ski club took a Sunday a month, but hadly ever actually went out. Also their club house got burnt down by vandals and they're using a porto cabin with no showers so the facilites where just not good enough.
 
South Staff is across the road from Greensforge, but that must be the only club in the country (World?) to not allow Lasers.
 
When I lived in Andover I used to travel about 40 miles to Netley and then Burghfield as there was nothing near Andover. I wouldn't want to go back to travelling that far again though.
 
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didlydon View Drop Down
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Joined: 15 Oct 08
Location: Margate England
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Post Options Post Options   Quote didlydon Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10 Feb 11 at 9:25am
Originally posted by WoodenBoatLuvver

Like It!....... Might be VERY useful.............
Vareo 365

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didlydon View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote didlydon Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10 Feb 11 at 9:23am
Originally posted by Rockhopper

Originally posted by didlydon

About 10 - 15mins by car & I can be at the boat park. I would cycle, but need to carry my damn great kitbag! There is my home towns sailing club, but I just like the neighbouring one - Practically grew up down the harbour & the l think the launching & sailing area is nicer - Sorry Rockhopper!! LOL
Hey don its fine i always thought that if you could have minnis bays boat park with the and our club house at margate it would be great but you are in the same position we are as the council will not play ball !!!!!!!!
Hi Andy
 
Yep, I agree each club has it's plus points.... You must think I'm nuts though not joining BSC, with the other Vareos...!. Parking might be an issue for us this year - as it is for you as well i guess.......
Vareo 365

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tickler View Drop Down
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Joined: 03 Jun 07
Location: Tunstead Milton
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Post Options Post Options   Quote tickler Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10 Feb 11 at 9:16am
I can see the sailing club from my house about 1/4 mile away. A steep lane down to it......and a steep lane back from it. Hence we usually drive with kit sails etc.

Our club is friendly and fun if small. I always think that the best path to success is to make sailing as easy as possible and to sail a boat where you can practice at your local water. The boy belonged to Carsington for a while (40mins away) as a B14 is not the boat for a little lake but it did not work out.

I feel privileged to live where I do and in summer I smile all the time.

This year we have opens for GP 14, Supernova, Byte and Lightning. Come and join us. Combs Sailing Club.
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skifftim View Drop Down
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Joined: 04 Nov 09
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Post Options Post Options   Quote skifftim Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10 Feb 11 at 5:00am
Back to your original question Chris, 83 miles past at least 5 clubs and the opposite direction from many more in different directions, to sail at Draycote. Many reasons 2 strong ones: professional rescue and excellent winds.
RS300 429
B14 644
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