Dinghy fleets in Plymouth

If you are going to travel 30 miles to sail with 10 boats on Roadford - why not travel 15 minutes further and sail at Starcross on the River Exe.   A lot more water  - when the tide is in!, a proper sailing club with regular turnout of 40-60 boats and class racing in B14, Merlins, Hornet, RS400, RS200, Finn, Laser, Hurricane.  Closer to Plymouth there is a growing and active fleet of B14s at Mountbatten - with upcoming local open meetings at Weymouth, Starcross, Torbay, Plymouth and Restronguet.  I think the plan is that the B14 nationals will be at Plymouth next year.  The B14s at Starcross and Plymouth are often looking for good crews of the right size.

mark
B14 762 - Winged Monkey

Everything seems so far away and petrol ain't cheap these days! 

I can't belive that somewhere like Plymouth doesn't have an established fleet of anything... Pretty poor effort really.

It seems like there is a lot of yacht racing down there but that doesn't interest me that much. I've been crewing on sportsboats for the last year or two but I really want to get back into helming and dinghies again.

I am flabbergasted.....people actual get in their cars and drive away from the sea which can be launched into in any state of tide and head to a lake or a sea area where the tide is a factor....what has the world come to and what are the Plymouth clubs doing???

ps. why head inland to sail in winter, the water is colder for a start!

Sailed in Plymouth for most of my life but now sail at Roadford for several reasons.

1 No fleet racing (to heavy for B14) sail a Finn none in Plymouth.Chance to race against 4 others at Roadford.

2 Cost of Parking a boat plus parking charges for cars

3 Lack of security I've had one boat vandalised and equipment stolen on    numerous occasions both from the boats and the changing rooms in most Plymouth clubs.

4 No Crews all sailing lead mines hence Finn after years of sailing two man trapeze boats.

Reason for big yacht fleet thats were all the dinghy sailors went when dinghies became as expensive as good quality secondhand yachts.

5 Little varity in courses sailed

6 Being subject to the antics of speed boats, jet skis and the rest of the  gin palace mob. Who do not respect other boat users both on and off the water. Being free of Ship movements and the sailing areas being closed when an "Event " takes place.

 

Roadford is also very well controlled very friendly, alot cheaper than Plymouth by a very long way. I have been a member for 5 years and have never had anything stolen or vandalised. Parking is free and its true that we do not have a posh clubhouse hanging around  are necks which require high joining fee's and annual memberships to pay for the maintainance, rates, rent etc.

I have benefited from sailing inshore in that my awareness of shifts and tactical sailing is better which put with the sea skills of tidal awareness boat speed etc. has made me a far better sailor all round.

 

Al Finn 424, FD365 on loan, Shark41 etc.

Edited by ALAN WILLIAMS

I drive from plymouth to salcombe every day at the moment what rought are you taking to do it in 30min? usualy takes me an hour on the A39.