Dart 15 Forums

Joe (added to the chat page by Bob) wrote:

I've inserted this item I received (but changed the name) as I think it is an interesting exchange that is worth airing. See also my later reply. Bob
"Thanks for the advice that my subs are overdue for 2005. My reply is delayed as I have been sailing in France for the past seven weeks. I will not be renewing this year. I joined last year after purchasing a secondhand Dart as I found the website very helpful in locating one and felt I should join in recognition of that. However I only sail in France in the summer, the cat stays there, and only sailed for "pleasure". The association and the mag is mainly geared to competitive sailors so I have decided not to continue. Thanks anyway, Joe"

Bob replied:

Hi Joe,
Thanks for your explanation about your membership. I understand your view and know that much of our magazine and web site coverage covers racing aspects but the Sprint 15 Association covers the interests of all Sprint 15 owners. Examples of this include:
1) Maintaining the production of new boats and spares by negotiating to have boats made in South Africa when the Laser Centre gave up.
2) Reducing the price of major spare items (Mainsail price has reduced from over ?750 to less than ?500). The same is true for jibs and trampolines.
3) Operation of a web site which offers free access to hints and tips, parts list, rules manual, all the contacts of suppliers, etc.
4) A low price insurance scheme with WHIC in which the cost saving more that pays for the membership fee.
5) Keeping the profile of this very active class in media
6) all of the above combine to keep the value of our boats at very high levels by keeping up demand. How many other classes can brag that an 11 year old boat can be sold for greater than 50% of it's original buying price (?3995) and that a 25year old boat can also be sold for about ?1200 which is also more than 50% of it's original buying price?

Membership costs just ?10/year by standing order and it is a bargain if you think about the money we save you each year.

We do hope that you decide to rejoin.

Regards

Bob

AndrewHannah replied:

It is generally believed that yacht clubs (and associations) are for the racing types. We need clubs to arrange races, and we utilise club premises for changing into our sailing gear, having a chin-wag apres sail, and hold social events like prizegivings.

Meanwhile, all that the cruising fraternity need is a mooring, and a half-decent yard for the winter refit. They don't need yacht clubs as dinghy and cat sailors do. With racing, you have company (people to race against), whereas cruising folk tend to be loners. Right?

Actually wrong! I have noticed that when cruising folk return from their outings, they can't wait to tell me, or anybody else standing around, about where they went. They want company, ie anybody who is willing to listen, as much as the racers do.

In other words, non-racing folk need to meet at yacht clubs to share their experiences with others. They have that in common with the racing folk. The same applies to class associations. The Sprint 15 association is available to ALL people interested in sailing our boats, including those who don't race. From time to time, there are articles in "Newsprint" that have nothing to do with racing, but are of interest to our members nonetheless.

A letter from overseas could be a worthwhile read for the members.

By the way, what is ?10 in Euroland?

Andrew.

Bob replied:

Hi Andrew
The ?/E exchange rate is about 1.4 but that makes no allowance for increased postal expenses for sending out the magazine. This is one for brain power of our secretary & treasurer to resolve.
Are you thinking of moving abroad?
Regards
bob

Chris Prior replied:

Interesting to see the comments about membership. I only sail my Sprint in France during the summer because I'm an old wimp and prefer warm water!! All the chat and various articles are very helpful and when my shroud broke this year Spencer Rigging did the biz and sent new one's out to me very quickly. A fellow sailing companion broke a batten and we used Bob's repair methods to mend. It's now stronger than before!!
I have attended a National Championship at Herne Bay a few years ago to have a look as it was near to home and I thought I might meet a few like minded sailors. However all I saw was some very cut and thrust sailors with very broken boats and even learned?? a few new swear words. So the racing is not for me. However, being a member has proved very useful to me and I can only commend to Joe to re think his membership. It is tremendous value and I would even pay ?11 for it!! That's about ?15 Joe, only the price of a couple of reasonable bottles of French wine.
AND our races?? are not always won by a Carter!!

Bob replied:

Hi Chris
I'm sorry about your bad experience at Herne Bay. Almost all of our events are sailed in good humour - generally much better than most other classes. Just once in a while we get an incident which sometimes brings out the worst in people.
Happy sailing
Bob

nick replied:

Hi I've had such a lot of good advice from this site I have decided to join. I hope to get to one of the training days next year.As there is only one boat(sprint 150 sailing at pevensey can I be class captain

Bob replied:

Difficult one. Who else is in the frame?

nick replied:

My boat is the only sprint being sailed there at present. I wasn't serious as I might be given a task!