Dinghy development: Club membership

Print Page | Close Window

Club membership - joining mid season

Printed From: Yachts and Yachting Online
Category: Dinghy classes
Forum Name: Dinghy development
Forum Discription: The latest moves in the dinghy market
URL: http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=13818
Printed Date: 27 Jun 25 at 4:24pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.665y - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: Club membership - joining mid season

Posted By: TT2
Subject: Club membership - joining mid season
Date Posted: 10 Aug 21 at 6:24am

Looking for some opinions/ experience from other sailing club (or other sports club) members.

Local club has recently swapped from membership running on calendar year to April - April subscription. Not a problem, makes a lot of sense. We used to offer a half price membership from 1 July for new members for remainder of the season.

Now with 1 April membership, what to offer (if anything) those joining later. It's a costal club with not a lot happening November - March in reality. Offering a 6 month membership from 1 October seems to offer little. 1 July is theoretically half the sailing season (albeit only 3 months into the April-April year).

Replies:

Posted By: eric_c
Date Posted: 10 Aug 21 at 10:03am

Do people who join a club really worry about a few quid off because they didn't get around to joining at the start of the season? Is it really a deal breaker to the members you actually want?

Clubs vary a lot, subs vary a lot. Is it 50 quid a year or 500?

Some clubs, the 'out of season' membership, bar and winter activities is a big part of the package.

Some clubs charge for 12 months but give up to 18 months membership on joining late in the year.Maybe that locks people in until they've got their feet under the table so to speak?

No right or wrong answers, clubs vary so much IMHO.

Posted By: sawman
Date Posted: 10 Aug 21 at 3:14pm

july is still the middle of the active season, so why not just continue to do the same ?

Posted By: eric_c
Date Posted: 10 Aug 21 at 4:10pm

Originally posted by sawman

july is still the middle of the active season, so why not just continue to do the same ?

might depend on whether boat storage in the 'inactive' season is a significant part of the overall deal?

I don't think it matters too much, perhaps the only thing to avoid is making it a bad deal to join shortly before renewal, which might make some people defer joining with the risk they'll go elsewhere or not bother.

Posted By: 423zero
Date Posted: 10 Aug 21 at 5:47pm

Basic membership at my club is £60, this is for 12 months, then you have boat licence to local council, if you use a boat, (this was about 80 quid), then storage, indoor or outdoor, indoor a lot more (can't remember how much, been a long time).

Haven't got a boat at the moment, not sure whether I will return to sailing this year.

Forgot to say club charges months left until fees are due again.

-------------
Robert

Posted By: iGRF
Date Posted: 10 Aug 21 at 10:05pm

Originally posted by 423zero

Basic membership at my club is £60, this is for 12 months, then you have boat licence to local council, if you use a boat, (this was about 80 quid), then storage, indoor or outdoor, indoor a lot more (can't remember how much, been a long time).

Haven't got a boat at the moment, not sure whether I will return to sailing this year.

Forgot to say club charges months left until fees are due again.

You need to buy a nice late low mileage Minisprint..Get back on the horse.. ;-)

-------------
https://www.corekite.co.uk/snow-accessories-11-c.asp" rel="nofollow - Snow Equipment Deals https://www.corekite.co.uk" rel="nofollow - New Core Kite website

Posted By: 423zero
Date Posted: 11 Aug 21 at 6:16am

Problem with short season clubs is getting members prepared to maintain club during closed season, could put new members off, perhaps have a seasonal membership that is at a higher rate?
Griff, can't get any drive, lost the mojo, in the back of my mind I am waiting for the axe to drop.

-------------
Robert

Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: 11 Aug 21 at 7:27am

I think half price membership with all of the summer ahead is too generous - the unintended consequence may be that everyone forgoes sailing in April and May and the club loses half its revenue.