The State of Club Sailing

Originally posted by Pierre I think it may have dawned on the Bewl lease holders that there is a bit of a hole in their finances now.

Yep, and its in all our interests that there continues to be a big hole in their finances. It would be a real problem if the lease holders made any sort of income from sailing at the reservoir that even approached what a reasonable rent for the sailing club would have been. TBH it would be best if sailors boycotted the place completely.

I can't see that £200 for a family to sail 365 days a year on the largest and most beautiful lake in SE England is excessive, especially as it includes access to the club facilities and a safety boat. If you want to race that would cost peanuts extra surely - four small buoys, a whistle, a stop watch, a pencil and a piece of paper. If it really is too much, other clubs are available.

There are options for everyone, so winners all round.

Going over old ground, but worth repeating. 900 members were prepared to pay the old rate to sail at Bewl. That is a membership demand far bigger than most clubs. The problem was that bloated club administrative costs meant that 1400 members were needed to keep the semi professional business model viable. If the club had better managed costs it did have control of, rather than complaining about a cost it previously agreed to and could no longer control, it need not have folded.

Southern Water should not be in business of subsidising the hobbies of wealthy London commuters by offering below market rate rents.

"Moving Forward
The owners of Bewl Water are very keen to ensure that sailing including windsurfing continues at Bewl and, after the administration process is complete, will be offering a sailing pass until 31st March 2016."

So those prices probably not for a whole year.

Oh yes, totally agree. Those rates look good to me. And no duties ....

Edited by cad99uk - 13 Aug 15 at 5:01pm

As far as club racing goes we are OK at ours. Last night was our last official Wednesday night. 45 min pursuit race, 18 boats, lovely clear evening, drifting for first half then filled in nicely for second. Then off for a cheap Italian and beer for a celebration.  Presentation of trophy called 'Quayletailender' donated some years ago by long standing member Peter Quayle.