Open Meeting Entry Fees

Forking out for entry fees is definitely only a small part of the story when it comes to sailing related exspences.  If you want to spend money sailing is a great pastime when you start paying for all the running costs - insurance, class association membership, club membership, boat storage, boat maintenance, sails.  Then if you traveling to open events there are loads of costs there without factoring in entry fees - accommodation, diesel, food.  If you do an open circuit of 6 events each year, and each event entry costs £50 it quickly mounts up.  It certainly isn't cheap, even compared to golf.

If you don't like the cost, don't go. Simple as. Were only talking a few quid extra more or less.

Personally, I would pay up to around £50. when you factor in everything that has been mentioned (rescue, race committee, food, drink, entertainment, maintenance, fuel, peoples time, and the number of races run), it think you're paying a fair price. Especially when your usually guaranteed good time and  good racing for a whole weekend! And if you do have a good time and good racing, then the club deserve a few quid in the bank.

Or you could look at the price of a 505 worlds......errm.

Most of our opens (2 day) are about £25-00, although enterprising clubs will get us to stay there for a curry....!

 

Originally posted by Guest#260 I know what you mean but there seem to be other sports/activities that the great british public are happy to hurl cash at, I am trying to figure why sailing is different...?

I'm not sure that it is that different.  There are people who are happy to hurl cash at sailing, and there are people who participate who can't do so.  I suspect that other sports also have this cross-section.  IMHO it's very important not to exclude the latter group, otherwise numbers will dwindle, costs will go up and it'll less fun for almost everybody.

If this thread is turning into a 'great clubs to visit for an event' vote then I'd definitely put Whitstable on the list, it's always been a favourite (and no I'm not just sucking up to Rick ).

Mike

Edited by MikeBz

Well if you want entertainment and value for money then go to Broadstairs!!

A 'non-commercial' club which treats visitors like their friends and where all the members go out of the way to ensure everyone has a good time.

£30 for the weekend plus £6.50 for a moutain of curry seems like good value for me, and in typical Broadstairs fashion when racing was canned on the Saturday they ensured we got our moneys worth by organising some silly games on the beach, and some even sillier games in the bar in the evening... (the least said about those the better...although noticeably the most active participant from the ISO fleet was the overall event winner...)

Then on the sunday they focused on getting in 5 good races in a force 2 rising to a force 5. 10am sharp start, and a quick turn around (2 mins max) meant we were off the water before it got silly windy and the heavens opened. A quad bike to help you drag your boat up the beach just adds to the view that this club welcomes visitors. We were even out the door in time to listen to the second half of the premiership finale on the drive home!!

Did anyone else in the SE. get in 5 races this weekend? - I doubt it
Did everyone in the fleet(s) think they got value for money? - Yes!
Did Broadstairs make some money out of the event? - I hope so, they've spent a fortune refurbishing the club over the last couple of years
Will we all be coming back next year - DEFINATELY !!!!

If you haven't tried Broadstairs before - then checkout their website and see if there is an event you can go to - if not then get your class rep on the case to see if you can get booked in for 2008 - you wont regret it.

Greg
(not a broadstairs member, just a happy visitor!)


Edited by laser4000