Mostly provided with new visitors in mind, but we hope that all cartoppers find that section 2.3.2 is a user friendly change QM can offer on this occasion.
Gordon and I should be around on Saturday to provide advice etc, especially on launching and recovery.
QUEEN MARY WINTER TRAVELLER Feb 17
TIPS FOR VISITORS
1 GETTING THERE
1.1 From North, leave the M25 at Junction 13 (A30/B376) signposted STAINES ; at the exit roundabout take the 1st exit signposted STAINES A30
1.1.2 After 1.4 miles the first junction you reach is The Crooked Billet Roundabout, which is more like a small traffic system controlled by traffic lights. Follow the signs for KINGSTON A308.
As you approach, enter the slip road on the left, taking the right hand of the 2 lanes.
Aim for the middle 2 lanes at the 2nd set traffic lights on the roundabout itself, and then the 1st or 2nd lane of the 3rd set of lights (next to The Crooked Billet Pub itself).
Cross the A30 (which goes straight across the middle of the roundabout) and bear left onto the A308 ? KINGSTON under the foot bridge.
1.1.3 After a further 1.4 miles, straight across the next roundabout (Junction with B377).
1.1.4 Turn right at the next junction after a further mile (you?ll be able to see the QM Clubhouse and masts of boats high on the right over the 2nd half mile); it is a crossroads controlled by traffic lights, with a slip lane in the central reservation and filter lights for turning right.
1.1.5 After c50 yards turn right into Queen Mary SC.
1.2 From South, either carry on round the M25 to Junction 13, taking the 3rd exit off the exit roundabout signposted STAINES A30 and follow 1.1.2 to 1.1.5 above, OR exit M25 at Junction 12, and follow signs for SUNBURY M3.
1.2.1 After 6.1 miles leave the M3 at Junction 1, taking the left lane on the slip road. At the exit roundabout take 1st exit left onto the A308 sign-posted STAINES.
1.2.2 Continue on the A308 across several sets of traffic lights for 1.3 miles, and turn left at the traffic lights (there is a short slip road for the left turn). Shortly before these lights there is a large brown sign on the left for Queen Mary Sailing Club, so you shouldn?t miss it.
1.2.3 After c 50 yards turn right into the club
2 ENTERING THE CLUB, RIGGING AND PARKING
2.1 There is an ENTRY BARRIER after the main gate (which will be open from c 900 hrs). There are WARNING SIGNS with INSTRUCTIONS. FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS ? DO NOT ATTEMPT TO TAILGATE A VEHICLE IN FRONT OF YOU.
2.2 For non-members, the entry barrier is controlled by Club Staff ? drive up close to the keypad on the right beside the cabin and press the button for assistance. Tell the staff that you have come to take part in the Sprint 15 Open and that either you have a trailer and boat or you have car-topped and have a boat in parts to be assembled (there is a CCTV link so they should see this anyway).
2.3 Expect to be told to take the left fork up the hill, and to move your car to the ground level Car Park as soon as practicable.
2.3.1 If Trailing, leave the metalled road at the first entry into the Boatpark ? this opens into a large area where you can rig before wheeling your cat to the launching area.
2.3.2 If Car-Topping, drive along almost to the Clubhouse, turn left between the keelboats along the concrete roadway and then left again onto the first concrete roadway into the boat park. On your right there are a number of wide grassy aisles between the parked boats. Leaving the farthest aisle between boats free for boats to be wheeled through to the West Side launching area, use the furthest free aisle ? leaving the ones nearer the Clubhouse for car-toppers arriving after you.
2.4 It?s a good idea to bring a painter to tie your boat to the pontoons when launching or recovering.
2.5 PLEASE NOTE it is a requirement that cars (exceptions for disabled and very limited categories acceptable to our Thames Water Landlord) are parked in the ground level Car Park. Sailing Instructions for ALL Club Racing and ALL Events provide for boats associated with cars parked on the Upper (Clubhouse) level during a race to be disqualified from that race without a hearing.
