Alternative to sailing clubs?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Good-Launch-Guide-essential-slipways/dp/0954296710

In Pre-Covid times it would have been possible to race in relatively local open meetings most weekends which would obviate the need to be a member of a club ... the problem as a previous poster points out is that this approach relies on the selflessness of volunteers at clubs to run open events.  In times gone bye you could not participate in open events without being a member of a sailing club, however there is an increasing use of RYA membership to avoid this arrangement.  Also back in the day the open meeting sailor returned to their club for the winter, which often offered the most competitive racing, however this may have been overridden by the plethora of one off winter events

One advantage of being at a club with club boats is that I'm car free. I book a boat online, turn up and sail. At my club we charge £40/year for 24/7 access. I enjoy walking or riding on my bike to the club. I'd have to use a car to go sailing if I had to move a boat. Driving for me is zero fun.

I must admit as someone with a foot in both committee camps of class and club I find the gap that is appearing between club and class in come classes disturbing. More disturbing is that the classes seem either oblivious or uncaring, largely because at "class" level activity is healthy.

I like being in a club and seeing the same people, though it's a disincentive to travelling to other places and it does get a bit repetitive sailing on the same bit of water ... hence, in part, the desire to race as it gives us something to do beyond cruise up and down seeing the same view.


Edited by NickA - 18 Mar 21 at 9:57pm