Dart 15 Forums

Rob Dainty wrote:

Firstly thanks to Bob for the reply on attaining sail numbers. The boat had been sold before I managed to bid so that matter is now not a problem. At the moment I am classless and looking to the 15. I was wondering if there many guys out there who are not members of specific clubs and just race the circuit. If so do they find that not having a home club effects thier sailing ability due to not be able to practice. The reason behind this is that in the Lincoln area there are not too many clubs who sail Cats. Of course there is Beaver SC whih about 55 miles away and Rutland SC 65 miles away. So question 1 is it practical not to have a home club and remain competive? and Q2 Does anyone know of a club in Lincolnshire where 15's are sailed, less than 40 miles?

Bob replied:

Hi Rob,
Yes there are a few classless sailors. Robert England recently bought a boat and was 2nd at the Northern Championships at Carsington. i think he is a naturally canny sailor in light winds. Team Carsington are now eager to sign him up in the hope that he can improve the Carsington Team performance!!!!!!!!!!
Our Chairman, Nick Dewhirst, belongs to Whitstable but only sails his Sprint 15 on the circuit (he has a Tornado & Hurricane he sails at Whitstable). Class Repairer, Steve Sawford, is also classless - he just does some of the travellers. Both Nick & Steve are good sailors but they always improve through the event and are noticebly rusty in the first race after a lay off (just look at their performances in the last 2 Nationals).
On the other hand, Class Champion, George Carter used to live at Cleveland and then later at Warrington.In both cases he used to travel about 90 miles each way to sail at Beaver Sailing Club - he thought it was worth the journey to get some good competition (although the Beaver fleet has dropped off a bit since he sailed there). At Grafham we have a number of our fleet who travel 60 plus miles each way to sail in our fleet.
So there you have it. I suggest that you buy a boat and try out a few open meetings. That will give you a feeling if you require regular club racing.
Regards
Bob

AndrewHannah replied:

Being clubless is like being homeless. So join a club if you can.

Most people will choose a nearby club. In my case, it is Thorpe Bay where I am keen to build a fleet of Sprints. But it needn't be that way. Some people will travel many miles to sail at a particular club, as Bob points out.

Sometimes, people will join a club for the social activity rather than the sailing. A good example of this would be the Royal Ocean Racing Club in St James, London. But none of their members would race their fifty footers on the Serpentine!

Conversely, many establishments are treated less a clubs, but more as a sailing facility for visiting yachtsmen. Look up Pwlheli SC or Weymouth websites and see what their local sailing is like. Not very much!

So rest assured, you will be made welcome at Sprint 15 open meetings.

Andrew.

Robert replied:

Hey Bob,

I know I might not know much but I thought I might make a bit more of an impression than being without class...

Robert replied:

Rob:

Don't worry too much about being clubless in the first instance.

Despite the obvious frustration of not being able to go out sailing nearby as often as I might wish, I have found having no club, as yet, quite OK. It has meant that I have made an effort to go to events whenever I can and have been welcomed and been encouraged wherever I have been. Paradoxically I have felt that I "belong" because the Sprint 15 Association works so well. There have been perhaps more people to chat to and share ideas and experiences with than if I had just gone to one, local place for my sailing.

Like you, Rob, I live no closer than about two hours from any water that accepts catamarans. I've decided that I am free this Sunday and will hopefully be going to Carsington where I can pay by the day to sail. If you can try two or three locations out you may find somewhere that might not be the closest but where you get on well, which is all important. As I went to the Training Weekend at Carsington and made some friends there in the first instance, I'll probably end up joining their gang.

I hope that you manage to find a boat, and in good time a location that's not too far away (mine will be about 80 miles).

Good luck

Robert.

Erling replied:

Hi Robert
The colour of your sail made a impression on me and I hope the members at Carsington have dark glass for the weekend,

Bob replied:

Sorry Robert - slip of the keys - You knew what I meant!

Robert replied:

Erling - you know I really do enjoy brightening your day. Sadly there is no racing tomorrow at Carsington due to a Flying Fifteen open meeting. Pity really, I could have brightened up their day too...

Owmuch! replied:

Team Carsington are more than happy to sign up clubless sailors especially those who sail with bright colured get noticed sails. As for "improving Carsington team performance" I do believe we were the most improved club at this years Netley Nationals, climbing 3 places to 3rd overall, correct me if I am wrong "Bob" but didn't Grafham slip down a place....!