PHOENIX YACHT CLUB

The yachts and what we do with them . . .

New Members Information Booklet

Updated  April 2009

WHAT YACHTS DO WE HAVE?

Spellbinder of Wytch 

Is a Sadler Starlight 39, which is about 12 metres overall length; she is a Bermudan rigged fast cruiser, with a winged keel and sleeps up to 8.

Firebird

Is a new Elan 340, which is about 10 metres overall length; she is a Bermudan rigged cruiser, with a fin/bulb keel and sleeps 6.

Both yachts are equipped with offshore safety equipment, hot water and central heating. A full set of charts, almanacs and tidal atlas’s allow extended cruising.

WHAT WE DO WITH THEM?

The club organises a variety of types of sailing activities; these include:

·Club Sailing  

Weekend sailing with other club members, usually in the Solent area between Selsey Bill and Poole – a good introduction to the club and its boats; where possible, club boats arrange the same stopovers, adding to the fun. 

·       Special Events

Usually over Bank Holiday weekends; longer, possibly cross-channel cruising to northern France, the Channel Islands or the West Country.

·       Social Events

We usually arrange a rally in the spring and autumn where affiliated boats can join in and new members get the opportunity of meeting other club members.

·       Training Weekends

Informal club sail training and boat handling by experienced members of the club.

·       Training Courses

The club can offer RYA Competent Crew, Yachtmaster, Coastal and Day Skipper practical courses, with a qualified instructor / examiner from an approved sea school.

·       Summer Cruise

For the summer months, one of our two yachts (usually Spellbinder), is based in one or more locations outside the Solent.  Locations have included Southern Ireland, West Scotland, North-west Spain, the West Country including the Isles of Scilly, the Channel Islands, Brittany and Holland, Germany and Denmark.

·       Racing

Inshore, coastal and offshore races. Both yachts are raced including The Round the Island race, Cowes Week, JOG races and the Fastnet. Racing involvement  depends on the interest and commitment shown by members in the current year. Race training can be organised prior to the season, according to members’ requirements. In 2007 Phoenix was placed 49th (out of 447 entries) in the RORC list and was 6th out of 127 entries in IRC Class 3.

Details of when the various activities are due to take place, are contained in the Sailing Programme and Bookings Update which are issued regularly. A Club Newsletter is produced annually containing articles of past events, like the spills and thrills of the Round the Isle of Wight Race held in the summer.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST (2009 Prices)

Summer weekend sailing is £47 per day, per person.

Summer weekday sailing is £30 per day, per person.

Winter weekend sailing is £27 per day, per person.

Winter weekday sailing is £20 per day, per person.

Children between 14 and 18 are charged 50% of the daily rate.

Children under 14 go free.

Summer is defined as from the 1^st April until the end of October. 

There is a premium for racing (to cover entry fees and 

increased wear and tear) of £10 per day, per person.

Food and other incidental costs (marina fees, diesel, water taxis, etc.) 

are split evenly between the crew (including the skipper). 

Typically these work out at about £20.00 per person per weekend.

HOW TO BOOK & GO SAILING?

All bookings are made by contacting the Booking Officer,

Sheila Thomas on: 01323 893 314 in the first instance.

She will put you in contact with the skipper who will make all the final arrangements for meeting on the boat.

WHAT TO BRING WITH YOU?

A life jacket with harness and safety strop is provided for each member of crew on each boat. Oilskins (nautical waterproofs) and sleeping bags are also provided; but if you have your own, it is advisable to bring them. (If you are going to use the yacht’s sleeping bags please bring a sleeping bag liner). Some people find a small pillow beneficial. 

You will need to wear deck shoes and/or shoes with non-slip and white rubber soles, and it is advisable to bring sailing boots if you have them. Please ensure that your kit is packed in a holdall or sports bag that can be stowed easily on the yacht and is not rigid. A suitcase is not suitable.

The weather cannot be predicted, so bring clothes for all eventualities. Several thin layers are better than one thick one; longjohns and thermal underwear are ideal. Bring at least two of everything that is likely to get wet. A neck towel is recommended for wet and windy weather. Remember to bring a towel and soap for those welcome marina showers and a plastic bag for those wet clothes! 

Victualling usually offers the basics like tea and coffee and has been known to include beer and wine depending on the skipper. However, if you can’t live without your favourite cheese straws and evening tipple, do bring them along.

HOW TO MEET UP?

You will be contacted by the skipper, usually in the week before joining the boat. You will be required to provide details of Next of Kin. This includes a shore contact; i.e. name, relationship (father, wife, etc.) and telephone number. This is a basic safety procedure and insurance requirement of the Club.

The yachts have recently moved to the Haslar Marina in Gosport. It is very close to the Gosport Ferry.

Spellbinder is on pontoon I 6 and Firebird on I ?.

If you are the first to arrive you will need to get the keys from the Marina Office.

For weekends the skipper and crew normally meet up on the Friday evening, as previously arranged on the yacht. 

If you wish to eat out it is a short walk to Gosport Town Centre and the Gosport Ferry (currently £1.60 return fare) to Gunwharf Quays in Portsmouth, where there are many restaurants to choose from.

Depending on the proposed destination and tide streams, you may leave the marina that evening for a night sail or set off early the next morning.  

One member of the crew will usually do the provisioning and if you have any dietary requirements they should be communicated to the skipper as soon as possible.

Smoking is not allowed below decks, a good practice on any boat.

HOW TO GET THERE?

By Road

The main routes from the London area are via the M3 or A3(M) and M27 and then via the A32 at Fareham to Gosport. Follow the A32 to Gosport and then continue through the town to the south. The entrance to the Haslar Marina is in Haslar Road, beyond Gosport Ferry.

By Rail

From Waterloo to Portsmouth Harbour. Then there is the Gosport Ferry to Gosport. When you come off the Gosport Ferry turn left and follow road round to Haslar Road, then down to Haslar Marina office.

If you require any further information of future 

events or racing then please contact:

Tim Sulman  Rear Commodore (Sailing)

Home Tel: 01425 655899

Mobile: 07815 835545

Email: timsulman@yahoo.com

or for prospective and new members contact:

Hazel Wilcox  Membership Secretary

Home Tel: 01332 702267

Email: hazelwilcox@hotmail.com

or to book onto one of the yachts contact:

Sheila Thomas  Bookings Officer

Home Tel: 01323-893314

Email: pycsail@globalnet.co.uk