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The end of another successful season

David Collins - 20/01/09

Our precious assets go into winter storage in the new Rotary Boathouse, all un-der one roof despite the additions during the year.

WITH 12 Access dinghies and their launching trolleys, two safety boats and their trailers, our new gear truck, a large quantity of sailing suits and life jackets we could not be sure that it would all fit into the new building. However we had a least 12 different opinions on how we could get what looked like a quart into the proverbial pint pot.

New storage racks for the dinghies gave us more space than in 2008 as we were able to stack them 3 high. However we also had to find space for the new safety dory and its trailer while leaving access to the two engines in order that we can have them serviced before the start of the 2010 sailing season.

We managed to get the dory and its trailer into the boathouse but we still had 12 launching trolleys 12 dagger boards and the truck to fit into the limited space available. Many suggestions were put forward and the truck was the only remaining item. It needed to be stored under cover and at one point it seemed it would have to be taken away from Oulton Broad and stored in a garage or shed.

As we were on the point of accepting defeat various tools were brought into use and with the clothes rail and sides removed the two pieces of this important asset were safely under cover and the doors would close. After a final check to make sure that all the volunteers had managed to get out from behind the boats and equipment we were able to close and lock the doors.

The boathouse is well insulated and provides secure and dry storage for all our assets. The large picture shows the team offering advice on the logistical problems that we faced as we reached the end of the stack of items that need to go into covered storage ready for winter. As usual we had plenty of helpers for the final day of activity for 2009.

With the end of the 2009 sailing season we have an opportunity to reflect on our achievements. Membership has expanded to 100 with 61 individual members and 39 corporate places for groups and organisations that bring a set number of sailors to each sailing session. Over the 24 weeks of sailing we managed 1045 individual sailing sessions, an average of 44 per week.

There were many high points during 2009 and it is difficult to pick one event that stands out from all the others. However the opening of the Rotary Boathouse by Geoff Holt, who has made such a large contribution to the development of RYA Sailability, is a day we will never forget. The boathouse was our most ambitious and most expensive project to date. The final cost was just over 23,000 but if the time and materials given with out charge is taken into account the total would be closer to 40,000.

The generosity of local and national companies has given us a superb building that will provide excellent storage conditions for many years to come. We have a 50 year lease on the site and although we will write off the cost over the period of the lease the building will last much longer.
During the WOBYC Oulton Week 2009 we managed to get more of our members onto the water and it was good to take part in the prize giving when the Club Commodore Phil Plant welcomed us to the Clubhouse and made us all feel part of the Oulton Broad sailing scene.

More recognition came later when we were invited to take part in the 150th year celebrations of the Royal Norfolk & Suffolk Yacht Club.

Our members sailed Access dinghies on Lake Lothing when a large variety of craft took part in a sail past as Sir Timothy Colman took the salute. This was followed by the visit to the RN&SYC of HRH The Princess Royal when she spent a day in the town. Chairman Richard was presented to The Princess and in turn introduced her to Chris Addison and Steve Simms.

During the year we improved some of our boats by modifying the seating arrangements and making the hammock seats more user friendly. With the help of Asda we were able to add electronic controls to one of the Access 303s.

Our friends and regular supporters, the Rotary Club of Southwold & District made aother generous contribution by the provision of a second safety boat. The Club had provided caravan holidays to needy families for many years but it was becoming increasingly difficult to fill the van for every week of the season.

Having agreed to sell the caravan the Club wanted to use the proceeds to help the local community and approached us. With their sponsorship we were able to purchase a new Rigiflex Dory complete with Yamaha engine and launching trolley. Named after a Southwold lifeboat Alfred Corry II was soon in use providing safety cover on sailing days and avoiding the need to hire in craft to support our safety RIB.
New life jackets with increased buoyancy were sponsored by Mrs Kate Moore the widow of a life long friend of our treasurer and editor David Collins.

As usual we managed to operate without any paid help due to the wonderful band of supporters who are always on hand to make a success of all that we do. We dont always get it 100% right but please remember we are all volunteers and give up many, many hours of our time to keep Waveney Sailability operating.

One similar centre, not too far away, has to pay for many of its instructors, and need to raise around 75,000 each year to cover the cost. Clearly such costs are well out of our reach.

There were many more notable events in 2009 and we could fill this edition with the details. However we have reported on many of them in earlier editions. If you helped us in 2009 we are extremely grateful and hope to see you again in 2010.

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