Competitive sailing in the UK - Which club/area?
Discussion
Hey All,
Born and bred in Reading, but have spent the last 6 years in Sydney, Australia where I fell in love with sailing. Never been on a boat in the UK (so I am probably not appreciating how cold, wet, horrible and tidal it'll be compared to the East coast of Australia) but planning on moving back sometime next year and want to keep up my new hobby.
Will probably end up living somewhere in the South East Maidenhead/Reading/etc sort of way and working in London, but want to make sure wherever I choose is a decent run down to the coast.
I currently race J24s and some bigger (40ish ft) stuff for offshore. Also currently getting to grips with Lasers, which might be where a lot of my attention is focused when I move back, given I'll no longer be living on Sydney harbour and it'll be easier to get to a local lake/reservoir than down to the coast.
Aspirations would be to eventually do a Fastnet, having done both the Sydney-Hobart and Sydney-Noumea races down here.
Where is most of the 'action' or the clubs that organise the offshore races? I'm imagining places like Weymouth, Gosport, Plymouth?
Cheers,
Andy
Born and bred in Reading, but have spent the last 6 years in Sydney, Australia where I fell in love with sailing. Never been on a boat in the UK (so I am probably not appreciating how cold, wet, horrible and tidal it'll be compared to the East coast of Australia) but planning on moving back sometime next year and want to keep up my new hobby.
Will probably end up living somewhere in the South East Maidenhead/Reading/etc sort of way and working in London, but want to make sure wherever I choose is a decent run down to the coast.
I currently race J24s and some bigger (40ish ft) stuff for offshore. Also currently getting to grips with Lasers, which might be where a lot of my attention is focused when I move back, given I'll no longer be living on Sydney harbour and it'll be easier to get to a local lake/reservoir than down to the coast.
Aspirations would be to eventually do a Fastnet, having done both the Sydney-Hobart and Sydney-Noumea races down here.
Where is most of the 'action' or the clubs that organise the offshore races? I'm imagining places like Weymouth, Gosport, Plymouth?
Cheers,
Andy
Anywhere on the Solent, really. I guess nearest to Reading will be straight down the M3 to Southampton area.
Some clubs have higher standard of racing in a particular class, though many clubs will ave a Laser fleet, if that's the direction you want to go in. You could look at national results and find a club that is over represented.
Some clubs have higher standard of racing in a particular class, though many clubs will ave a Laser fleet, if that's the direction you want to go in. You could look at national results and find a club that is over represented.
Actually, thinking about it a bit more, you need to go and visit lots of clubs and see which one fits what you want. I grew up sailing on the Solent in a small club with a good location - wind and tides etc. I believe it's been improved since but it didn't have showers, let alone a bar. But it was friendly and local and the racing was of a reasonable standard. Run by members for members. The club I joined when I moved to Norfolk was similar.
After over 30 years in that first club my dad now has a keel boat at The Royal Lymington. Totally different feel. Club house with a restaurant, employees to help with most things, older membership profile etc.
Both great clubs and neither is better but they might not be right for you.
After over 30 years in that first club my dad now has a keel boat at The Royal Lymington. Totally different feel. Club house with a restaurant, employees to help with most things, older membership profile etc.
Both great clubs and neither is better but they might not be right for you.
The Royal Southern YC on the Hamble might suit you? Joining as an overseas member will halve the cost although it is of limited use as you as on the other side of the world at the moment, but should give you automatic full membership when you are back in Blighty.
The have a keen racing section and you can also charter one of their J40's or hire a dinghy. Lovely clubhouse and facilities and if you are ambitious (and good enough!) a membership that include some serious offshore racers. You won't find a better yacht club in the Solent, IMHO, although I expect to get some flack for that!!
https://www.royal-southern.co.uk/news/category/rac...
The have a keen racing section and you can also charter one of their J40's or hire a dinghy. Lovely clubhouse and facilities and if you are ambitious (and good enough!) a membership that include some serious offshore racers. You won't find a better yacht club in the Solent, IMHO, although I expect to get some flack for that!!
https://www.royal-southern.co.uk/news/category/rac...
There are a lot of lake/reservoir sailing clubs around reading - almost everywhere races Lasers to various standards. Avoid river clubs unless you really like tacking, avoiding narrowboats and shifty wind. If you want salt water sailing then the Solent is about a hour away from Newberry.
Inland clubs are usually member run with basic facilities, sea clubs range from that up to fully professional outfits like Hayling Island. Member run clubs you will normally have to do a couple of duties ie help with the bar, racing or rescue boats, the more expensive ones employ staff for that kind of stuff, but charge more.
There is a bit of divide between the yacht and dingy clubs, with some (not all, and a lot less so than it once was) yacht clubs having a reputation for being for social climbers. Warning signs are blazers and dress codes for the clubhouse.
Both marinas and dingy parks are full of boats that hardly ever move.
Inland clubs are usually member run with basic facilities, sea clubs range from that up to fully professional outfits like Hayling Island. Member run clubs you will normally have to do a couple of duties ie help with the bar, racing or rescue boats, the more expensive ones employ staff for that kind of stuff, but charge more.
There is a bit of divide between the yacht and dingy clubs, with some (not all, and a lot less so than it once was) yacht clubs having a reputation for being for social climbers. Warning signs are blazers and dress codes for the clubhouse.
Both marinas and dingy parks are full of boats that hardly ever move.
Lasers are ok as a dinghy........ where they come into their own is at club racing level, £1000 gets you a reasonable boat then it’s down to your skill as to how competitive you are and most decent clubs will have a reasonable Laser fleet.
For Reading you’re probably looking at Datchet or Queen Mary’s near sunbury, but I don’t know what their Laser fleets are like.
If you want a good boat then look at the RS Aero, it’s a modern day version of the Laser and technically better, I reckon within 10years it’ll be an Olympic class if they sort their worldwide distribution and ILCA and Laser Performance don’t stop arguing and you’ve got deeper pockets.
I say all of this as a Laser Fleet captain of a club in the Midlands with a large Laser fleet who held the 1st National Laser Open Since Lockdown yesterday (and I came 2nd).
For Reading you’re probably looking at Datchet or Queen Mary’s near sunbury, but I don’t know what their Laser fleets are like.
If you want a good boat then look at the RS Aero, it’s a modern day version of the Laser and technically better, I reckon within 10years it’ll be an Olympic class if they sort their worldwide distribution and ILCA and Laser Performance don’t stop arguing and you’ve got deeper pockets.
I say all of this as a Laser Fleet captain of a club in the Midlands with a large Laser fleet who held the 1st National Laser Open Since Lockdown yesterday (and I came 2nd).
Marcellus said:
Lasers are ok as a dinghy........ where they come into their own is at club racing level, £1000 gets you a reasonable boat then it’s down to your skill as to how competitive you are and most decent clubs will have a reasonable Laser fleet.
For Reading you’re probably looking at Datchet or Queen Mary’s near sunbury, but I don’t know what their Laser fleets are like.
If you want a good boat then look at the RS Aero, it’s a modern day version of the Laser and technically better, I reckon within 10years it’ll be an Olympic class if they sort their worldwide distribution and ILCA and Laser Performance don’t stop arguing and you’ve got deeper pockets.
I say all of this as a Laser Fleet captain of a club in the Midlands with a large Laser fleet who held the 1st National Laser Open Since Lockdown yesterday (and I came 2nd).
That post says 'Laser' eight times!For Reading you’re probably looking at Datchet or Queen Mary’s near sunbury, but I don’t know what their Laser fleets are like.
If you want a good boat then look at the RS Aero, it’s a modern day version of the Laser and technically better, I reckon within 10years it’ll be an Olympic class if they sort their worldwide distribution and ILCA and Laser Performance don’t stop arguing and you’ve got deeper pockets.
I say all of this as a Laser Fleet captain of a club in the Midlands with a large Laser fleet who held the 1st National Laser Open Since Lockdown yesterday (and I came 2nd).
Sailing / racing from the eastern solent isn’t really that popular (I’m Portsmouth based) although you get a lot of JOG races up that end. For racing in the Solent and commuting from reading I’d be looking at Hamble. The yachts I sailed on (Covid has stopped anything) had crew driving from Birmingham, Nottingham and London every morning to race for the day all year round. Often people ended up car sharing.
Average club level racing these days doesn’t seem to involve much competitiveness , it takes a little effort to find a club with a good class you’re interested in racing.
I’ve been out of it for many years, but Hayling Island Sailing Club used to have a number of competitive dinghy fleets - don’t know these days, but would be worth a look. For yachts - posts above seem to be a good start.
I’ve been out of it for many years, but Hayling Island Sailing Club used to have a number of competitive dinghy fleets - don’t know these days, but would be worth a look. For yachts - posts above seem to be a good start.
Arnie Cunningham said:
Average club level racing these days doesn’t seem to involve much competitiveness , it takes a little effort to find a club with a good class you’re interested in racing.
I’ve been out of it for many years, but Hayling Island Sailing Club used to have a number of competitive dinghy fleets - don’t know these days, but would be worth a look. For yachts - posts above seem to be a good start.
Have a small J boat and do informal Thursday night racing from HISC. Depending on class - the standard of the dinghy sailing there is high - some very competitive racers are based there - location is great as Chichester harbour has loads of dinghy racing and you are well positioned to get out into the Solent quickly. Done RORC races from boats based in Hamble - although we did the Race The Wight a few weeks ago on our own boat. Often debate on moving boat to Hamble but like HISC location - if we do winter/spring series will probably move boat over to Hamble for a few months. If you are looking to crew on a race yacht - the "last minute crew wanted - Solent" is a good starting pointI’ve been out of it for many years, but Hayling Island Sailing Club used to have a number of competitive dinghy fleets - don’t know these days, but would be worth a look. For yachts - posts above seem to be a good start.
rossb said:
Have a small J boat and do informal Thursday night racing from HISC. Depending on class - the standard of the dinghy sailing there is high - some very competitive racers are based there - location is great as Chichester harbour has loads of dinghy racing and you are well positioned to get out into the Solent quickly. Done RORC races from boats based in Hamble - although we did the Race The Wight a few weeks ago on our own boat. Often debate on moving boat to Hamble but like HISC location - if we do winter/spring series will probably move boat over to Hamble for a few months. If you are looking to crew on a race yacht - the "last minute crew wanted - Solent" is a good starting point
I think if you’re doing winter/spring series then you really need to be in Hamble as you say that’s a long slog from Hayling before a race and then to get back after. Spring series it wouldn’t be too bad as nearly every race from memory was AP2-3 due to lack of wind. I second solent crew wanted and JOG also have a crew finder.
ecsrobin said:
I think if you’re doing winter/spring series then you really need to be in Hamble as you say that’s a long slog from Hayling before a race and then to get back after. Spring series it wouldn’t be too bad as nearly every race from memory was AP2-3 due to lack of wind.
I second solent crew wanted and JOG also have a crew finder.
Yes - when we did Race the Wight the other week - for various reasons did not get round to sailing over to Port Hamble until late afternoon/evening the day before. On sail over beating against tide and 20+ knot SW we all got really enthusiastic about the boat being based in Hamble! Only upside was that the following day - in comparison - the beat to the Needles seemed like a minor hurdle before the downhill fun south side of island. I second solent crew wanted and JOG also have a crew finder.
rossb said:
Yes - when we did Race the Wight the other week - for various reasons did not get round to sailing over to Port Hamble until late afternoon/evening the day before. On sail over beating against tide and 20+ knot SW we all got really enthusiastic about the boat being based in Hamble! Only upside was that the following day - in comparison - the beat to the Needles seemed like a minor hurdle before the downhill fun south side of island.
Cowes week someone cocked up and we had a crew house in Cowes but forgot the mooring so we did Hamble point to cowes each morning to collect crew that’s a long slog with a sore head each morning! Arnie Cunningham said:
Average club level racing these days doesn’t seem to involve much competitiveness , it takes a little effort to find a club with a good class you’re interested in racing.
I’ve been out of it for many years, but Hayling Island Sailing Club used to have a number of competitive dinghy fleets - don’t know these days, but would be worth a look. For yachts - posts above seem to be a good start.
Most good clubs will have good competitive Laser fleet racing, which you join depends on where you live really, there shouldn't be a need to travel too far to get involved, research has shown most dinghy sailors sail close (<1hr) to home or work.I’ve been out of it for many years, but Hayling Island Sailing Club used to have a number of competitive dinghy fleets - don’t know these days, but would be worth a look. For yachts - posts above seem to be a good start.
This is a fairly typical startline;
I’d argue there’s a material difference between a close fleet and a good fleet. The scows in bembridge harbour demonstrate that well.
Oddly, some of the lakes have the strongest fleets - draycote water for example, is very well known for competitive racing. I find (found) many of the coastal sailing clubs - it’s more about being on the water and less about the race. Which is of course totally fine - hence we joined HISC for racing, but were in another club still as “home”
Oddly, some of the lakes have the strongest fleets - draycote water for example, is very well known for competitive racing. I find (found) many of the coastal sailing clubs - it’s more about being on the water and less about the race. Which is of course totally fine - hence we joined HISC for racing, but were in another club still as “home”
Marcellus said:
Most good clubs will have good competitive Laser fleet racing, which you join depends on where you live really, there shouldn't be a need to travel too far to get involved, research has shown most dinghy sailors sail close (<1hr) to home or work.
This is a fairly typical startline;
This is a fairly typical startline;
Edited by Arnie Cunningham on Tuesday 11th August 09:25
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