do you have to join a sailing club?

there are many reservoirs and small lakes in and around the greater manchester area but all seem to be strictly limited to club members. as i cannot afford to join any of them at the moment( trying to save up for a new kitchen ), and i dont particularly want to be restricted to one venue i am struggling to find anywhere reasonably local to sail on.

so has anyone any ideas what i can do? i love sailing in the lake district but dont want to be faced with a 4-5 hour journey every time i want to sail.

do sailing clubs have a monopoly on the use of reservoirs? will i have to concede i will have to join one of them and be stuck at one location.

i have no interest in racing or competition sailing which seems to be the main preoccupation of most of these clubs.

Hi,

As you've already found, a lot of the access to the water is restricted so if you don't join a club you are restricted to public slipways (if you can find one).

To be honest, I think that I would sail a lot less if I had to transport the boat and rig it every time I went out.

There are other advantages to clubs - like access to showers and changing areas - and other like minded people to talk to and get local advice from.

i like the idea of travelling around to explore new water. thats why i wanted to get back into sailing. many of the reservoirs ive seen can be walked around in half an hour, more puddles than lakes

i want to sail to get somewhere rather than sailing a triangular course at set times.

ive found a few that allow private launchs but all require 3rd party insurance. is this the norm? i wasnt aware i had to be insured to sail a dinghy. Any recommendations?

ive founda few within an hours drive of my home. Average charges seem to be around £7-£10 a day to launch your own boat :shock:

i suppose i will be limited in future to sailing in the lakes and off the coast of anglesey. two of my favourite places anyway

Yes, clubs do insist on 3rd party insurance and it is a pretty good idea anyway.
It doesn't cost much depending on the level of cover that you take out and will cover you if you do get involved in an accident.

I use Newton Crum or you could try Noble Marine