Travellers

   It was interesting this weekend just gone to travel the breath of the country from the golden gateway down here in Kent all the way to llanelli in Wales, and not to see a single dinghy and trailer either way, got to be a first, i don't think I've ever done a trip like that without at least once craning my neck to see what boat was being hauled along the road in front.

A sign of the times or just no events going on anywhere along the m20-25-4 corridor, nobody out on Burfield either.

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iGRF Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 07 Mar 11 Location: Hythe Online Status: Offline Posts: 6499	Post Options Post Reply Quote iGRF Report Post Quote Reply Topic: Travellers Posted: 27 Sep 16 at 1:56pm
	It was interesting this weekend just gone to travel the breath of the country from the golden gateway down here in Kent all the way to llanelli in Wales, and not to see a single dinghy and trailer either way, got to be a first, i don't think I've ever done a trip like that without at least once craning my neck to see what boat was being hauled along the road in front. A sign of the times or just no events going on anywhere along the m20-25-4 corridor, nobody out on Burfield either.
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turnturtle Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 05 Dec 14 Online Status: Offline Posts: 2538	Post Options Post Reply Quote turnturtle Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 27 Sep 16 at 2:06pm
	Southampton Boat Show mate..... the only people travelling to events these days are pros, semi pros or industry employees, and they'd have all been down there telling each other what a dynamic future dinghy sailing has. Just before secretly slipping a CV to the folks on the Marine Resources stand....

iGRF Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 07 Mar 11 Location: Hythe Online Status: Offline Posts: 6499	Post Options Post Reply Quote iGRF Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 27 Sep 16 at 2:10pm
	Would that have made a difference? SBS is a bit parochial a few at the battle of the classes must have come from somewhere, so nothing going on anywhere in the south and west, not that I'd expect to see everyone but you normally see some boats being trailed and there were loads of congestion both ways to study. Mind you I can see why nobody wants to travel these days, 6 hours for a journey that should take 4.
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turnturtle Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 05 Dec 14 Online Status: Offline Posts: 2538	Post Options Post Reply Quote turnturtle Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 27 Sep 16 at 2:20pm
	My last coastal dash turned out to be 5 hours to get home from Hillhead.... + the 2.5 hours to get there at first light, I honestly came away thinking it was a total waste of a day. I have pretty much not bothered since, sailing locally and I'm in the process of flogging all my 'small kit'. Bank Holiday weekends have been a total road nightmare too this year.... I even aborted a trip to Devon for some paddle boarding/windsurfing when I was only 20 miles down the M5 from Evesham... that'd taken 2 hours. It's nice to see other places, but when you're short on free time, I'm currently of the opinion it's better spent actually on the water where home is more easily accessible after you've filled your boots. Edited by turnturtle - 27 Sep 16 at 2:36pm

Rupert Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 11 Aug 04 Location: Whitefriars sc Online Status: Offline Posts: 8956	Post Options Post Reply Quote Rupert Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 27 Sep 16 at 3:28pm
	M5 always good for a trailer or 2.
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Dougaldog Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Far too distracted from work Joined: 05 Nov 10 Location: hamble Online Status: Offline Posts: 356	Post Options Post Reply Quote Dougaldog Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 27 Sep 16 at 4:03pm
	Turnturtle. +1! if the total time spent travelling to and from the event, plus the usual faff about time exceeds the time spent afloat then you really have to question why you're bothering. There was a great event being held recently down in the sun-kissed deep south west. But it's a 550 miles round trip. 60+ litres of fuel, time, accommodation.... then those that travelled lost 50% of the racing because there wasn't any wind. For anyone who has a reasonable alternative of decent racing locally, you can see the question "why" being asked big time!
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iGRF Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 07 Mar 11 Location: Hythe Online Status: Offline Posts: 6499	Post Options Post Reply Quote iGRF Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 27 Sep 16 at 5:04pm
	I've got to say I didn't see that many sailing clubs either, they must be there but in some wonderful maritime locations along that South Wales coast, there didn't seem to be that many. I was going to check out a new kitesurf club opening up in what must be the best region I've come across for kiting, but that's not to say it could equally be used for dinghies although I guess it's a tad tidal and when it's gone it's a long way gone. You don't get many of these though, new sailing clubs opening. Edited by iGRF - 27 Sep 16 at 5:04pm
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pompeysailor Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Posting king Joined: 16 Jul 07 Online Status: Offline Posts: 101	Post Options Post Reply Quote pompeysailor Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 27 Sep 16 at 5:05pm
	There must be something in the fact that horse owners happily transport their horse 30-40 minutes for a 10 minute competition, while boat owners cant travel 1-2 hours for 3-4 hours afloat... Maybe sailing clubs need to organise monthly open events to attact local travelling sailors rather than just single Class open meetings once per year?..
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Bootscooter Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 15 May 07 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 1094	Post Options Post Reply Quote Bootscooter Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 27 Sep 16 at 5:16pm
	We're the complete opposite - about 90% of my racing is away from my home club, be it Olympic Rankers, Finn Opens, Nationals, Fed Week etc. We love the travel, the camping and it means we get quality time together, both on and off the water. The class racing is of the highest standard and the venues we go to vary from the huge and 'professional' to the small and friendly.

Do Different Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 26 Jan 12 Location: North Online Status: Offline Posts: 1312	Post Options Post Reply Quote Do Different Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 27 Sep 16 at 5:33pm
	Well yes exactly 'scooter. It's all in your own head as to if it's a "great weekend in good company" or "not worth my time". One man's meat is another man's poison. I know a chap who travels his kids all over to cycle meetings, real family exped's camper van dog n all, bloke works abroad most of the week as well.