west london sailing club recommendation?

Originally posted by ASok

Originally posted by ASok

I've been a member at both Queen Mary and Datchet over the years.  Both memberships were over 3 years, so I had a good stint to see what they were like.

Firstly, they are exceptionally well run clubs with very good committees and facilities.  Great sized sailing area and on a good day you can be really spoiled.

However, my only problem was that they were big and had lost the 'club' feel - they felt a bit more like 'sports-centres' or businesses in my opinion.  I also found a lot of the membership used the place as storage while they toured their boats in traveling series.  This impacted club turnouts in some classes.

I also sail a cat and both lakes have a cat fleet in decline, although I hear that Datchet are doing well to re-invigorate it.  Another issue for me was water level - Thames Water are a nightmare and Datchet has been hit the worst with dropping water levels.  That said the club have made huge investment in winches and mobile pontoons to aid members.

My money would be on heading to Burgfield or to the south coast.  I have heard great things and about Burgfield and if I sailed a dingy (they dont allow cats), I'd be there straight away.  Well worth the extra 20mins drive in my opinion.

I'd visit them all and get a taster from yourself.  You will meet enthusiastic members at all of them - so get enough information to make your choice.

I normally couldn't agree with you more - certainly my experience of datchet was 'over-priced sports centre' and burghfield feels much more like a proper club. Having said that on a March visit to Queen Mary for some umpiring, I noticed on the other side of the bunt they had some 40 odd lasers club racing. Chatting to will henderson he said the club had done quite a lot of work on 're-activation' and now had a thriving laser fleet scene even in the middle of winter.... a few other names in the fleet included tim law and John lewis..