CLUB BOATS
The Club maintains various boats for use by members. These include:-
- 4 RS Fevas
- 2 RS Visions
- 2 Racing Toppers
- 2 General use Toppers
- 4 Optimists
- 6 Fireflys
- 1 Laser (with full, Radial and 4.7 rig)
- 1 Wayfarer (only with special permission from Training Manager/Bosun)
Please note that these boats are used by the Training Centre and should be kept in good condition. There are restrictions on the use of some of these boats. The Wayfarer and RS Visions are intended primarily for use by the Training Centre and they retain priority regardless of any prior booking.
The Club fleet of 6 matched team racing Fireflys and 4 RS Fevas together with 2 racing Toppers and a Laser (with Full, Radial + 4.7 rigs) are kept close to the race hut. The Racing Toppers and the matched Fireflys may only be used during organised training sessions and club events.
Conditions for booking are stated in the Dinghy Booking Book, which is kept in the Clubhouse. This Book also contains details of where the boats and their sails/foils are kept. Every use of the club boats must be entered in the Booking Book, kept on the desk by the bell, and any problems encountered should be described so that they can be remedied. It is essential that these boats are treated as if, or better than, it is one’s own craft. Any damage must be reported in the Dinghy Booking Book to ensure that necessary maintenance can be carried out and they remain available for other members.
The fee per session for use of the Club boats is low in order to encourage participation. The current fees are stated in the Dinghy Booking Book.
A session is any period of continuous use but may not exceed a morning or afternoon. Any Club boat left on the pontoon unattended for more than a few minutes must be made available to others wishing to use it. Each new user must pay the appropriate fee.
All money should be placed in an envelope with your name, boat description and time for which the boat was used written on the outside and “posted” in the office door. A supply of envelopes can usually be found on the desk by the bell.
Normally, booking of the boats is done on the day you intend to use the boat - just write in the diary which boat you want to use. Unless another person has booked the boat to use it after you AND they are there so you can hand the boat over you must properly pack the boat away including fitting the cover and tying it down properly.
Boats may be pre-booked for special events (i.e. Open Meetings, Team Racing events) after consultation with the Rear Commodore Sailing. Payment must always be made at the time of booking. It is necessary to state the name of an approved, and responsible, person who will be in charge of any group session using the Club boats. The named person will be responsible and must be present throughout the session. Please ensure that all faults / breakages are reported in the booking folder.
BOAT PARKING
Every boat parking space has been numbered with a tag on the chain. These have been spaced to enable us to maximise the use of our parking area so all who have paid for a space can be accommodated. You may find it easiest to pack your boat up before pushing it into your space. All boats must be tied down and your boat should be centred over the red tag.
To acquire a new space, first consult the Club Administrator who keeps the boat park register. Space is limited and it may not always be possible to allocate a space.
You will be advised which spaces are vacant.
DO NOT PARK YOUR BOAT UNTIL YOU HAVE BEEN GIVEN A SPACE.
Members are reminded that if a boat is not in its correct registered space it will be moved without notice.
SAILING ON THE LAKE
The lake is there for all of our members to enjoy. By and large there are very few problems but the co-operation of each member is requested to help smooth running :
Before setting out, please check the programme. There are a few occasions when access is limited but when these are, it is largely for safety reasons. If, when you arrive, there appears to be an organised activity taking place, please check with whoever seems to be in charge to see if there are any parts of the lake that they are using that may clash with what you want to do!!
If racing is taking place on a day when the lake is open for general use you must let the Race Officer know when you intend to launch. The course will be displayed on the notice board and in addition to not interfering with the boats that are racing you must keep clear of the buoys that are being used as race marks during the race. Again, this is for your own safety. General sailing is often not allowed during 'Open' meeting races.
