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Post by Len Baddeley on Apr 2, 2016 9:39:28 GMT 1
I have joined four boat associations in the past fifteen years and wonder in these days of the Internet with Facebook and Yahoo groups are worth the money. The most expensive to join is the Macwester association, at £50 including the first year subscription, for that I got a burgee and a members list and a old journal and access to a web/forum site that seem to have very few users, I was told I would have access to loads of information on my boat, as it appeared later I had to pay for what information they had. Most of the records for the marque had been lost when the factory closed down. I have found most of the information I was looking for on the net. The second most expensive was the Snapdragon association at £30 including first years subscription, for this I got again members/boat list (that had to be returned should you leave) I also got a folder for the journals and two journals and access to quite a good web site with a very active forum, but all the technical information for the marque was held by a committee member who did not use the Internet so any information he may have had to be got via post or a third party! One of the other associations has died, and the other much like the Snappy site is very good but only £20 to join including first year subscription. So what are you experiences on associations and do you think they are worth the money?
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Post by Candide on Apr 2, 2016 13:04:32 GMT 1
I signed up to the Hustler Owners Association (missing out "Owners" gets you somewhere entirely different). No fee but run by one bloke who, as usual, seems to have started off with enthusiasm, j6dging by past blog entries. Now tailed off to nowt. No point in me taking it on as that would be like talking to meself....as usual
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Post by NigeL on Apr 2, 2016 18:23:17 GMT 1
I refused to renew Snapdragon Assoc. membership after finding that it was run on a Friend of a Friend basis. Plus all rallyes that I was local to were more beneficial to the XXXXXX Dealer on the South Coast who someone worked for.
My father raced a Snap 23 CB version SD9 .. for a number of years Round Island Race was one in particular we always entered ... when I put a letter to the Newsletter about it - I was told that was not possible and it was binned.
When I suggested venues or ideas - it was not shot down by members - but by those certain people. I only hope that the Internet revolution has changed them.
nigel
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Post by Len Baddeley on Apr 2, 2016 23:26:54 GMT 1
Hi Nigel, I was a member of the Snapdragon association, but through a problem with the bank my fees lapsed, so I contacted them a few days ago about renewing my membership, and was told yes they remember me, but I would have to start again and pay a joining fee again, I don't think so, in fact I gave them copies of the rigging information for all the snapdragons,(came with my boat) that they did not have, so no thanks there, I'll save my money anyway I selling my 747, anyone want a nice boat with good set of sails, (new main and upholstery 2 years ago), 18hp 3 cylinder Kubota/Beta less than 100 hours, Standard Horizon DSC VHF, GPS chart plotter, and Yeoman plotter and GPS, Tiller pilot, Stereo, Pressure water system, Electric head, Canopy Cooker etc, at a bargain price let me know.
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Post by Bendyone on Apr 4, 2016 8:37:56 GMT 1
Whats a bargain price?
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Skipper ;-)
Coastal Cruiser
Returning to Sailing after many years off.... a bit daunted by it all...
Posts: 115 
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Post by Skipper ;-) on Sept 15, 2019 8:53:24 GMT 1
I've been in the Westerly Association for years. Yet I haven't got a Westerly.
I joined with the idea I wanted to buy a Westerly, but there is plenty of time yet. Well, I hope so. They are lovely boats.
It's probably the most active club with members worldwide and regular events. For about £15 a year I enjoy it and believe it's worth it. Regular papet updates as well as online.
The NAVA club for my current boat sadly folded. So there is no technical support and no advice from other owners. A great shame. That was £12 a year and had monthly paper magasine. I would gladly have payed £20 for access to others advice and information without a magazine. I was able to provide keel details to others when mine needed replacement.
Just as sad is my misunderstanding - surely everyone would join a free online owners association for their own boat ? Maybe insist on one email or message a year minimum, just like insurance, moorings, club membership. And any keen members could message each other (just as we do). I must be getting old....
Happy Sailing everyone
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