The Club is a "broad church". We have no demarcation or preference
between types or classes of boat and the club hosts a full range of both power
and sailing craft. We have an active and enthusiastic group of fishermen along
with a keen group of sailing enthusiasts. Many other members just simply enjoy
their boating in Poole Harbour and along the magnificent Dorset coast.
We have a membership of around 250 people and many of our members have more years
boating experience than they care to own up to! Others are new to the water and
are actively helped by the old hands.
To keep costs and fees as low as
possible, North Haven is a self-help club. The running and most of the
maintenance of the club and its moorings is done by the members. All are
expected to participate. In the season, a taxi service ferries members to and
from their boats between 8am and 6pm at weekends and on public holidays
(volunteers receive boat handling training); the canteen is also open at these
times. In addition, there is the Club/Boat Watch scheme, which operates on
weekdays. Parking can be difficult, particularly in mid-summer, but the club
has a fold-up bicycle which allows members to drop off equipment and crew,
then park the car in one of the side roads and cycle
back.
About half of North Haven’s boat-owning
members have motor boats, and the other half have sailing boats. Some of the
sailing boats take part in very informal races organised at the club or in races
run by other local clubs. We also have fishing competitions and short cruises
and every August there is a Family Fun Day with events for all ages and
interests. There are regular social events throughout the year. The Club also
organises recognised VHF courses and navigation courses. Events are advertised
in the club magazine (3 produced per year), and members are urged to
participate.
The Club has 145 main
moorings, 124 of which are swinging moorings that are dry or have limited depth
for 90 minutes either side of low water. The maximum size of boat suitable for
these moorings is 7.9m (26ft) LOA with a draft of up to 1m (3ft 3ins). There
are 11 Deep Water main moorings situated on the other side of the North Channel
which can take boats up to 10.7m (35ft) LOA and 7 mid-water moorings. There are also moorings for
85
members’ tenders, 30 on the jetty and 55 swinging moorings. Moorings on the
tender jetty are only issued to members with a current main mooring. In
addition, we also have four Club tenders for members’ use on outhauls from the
jetty.
Club moorings are
allocated from 1st April – October 31st each year and are
also available between November and March for an additional winter mooring fee.
The availability of moorings varies, and new members may have to go on a waiting
list. All Club moorings are issued through the Mooring Officer. The Club
provides and maintains the moorings, which are checked and renewed each winter
as necessary, but it accepts no liability for their condition. Therefore,
members are required to check and confirm the sound condition of their mooring
before starting to use it and to check its condition regularly. Where
necessary, the Club will assist the member in rectifying any defect found.
The above information is given as an insight
into North Haven Yacht Club and confers no rights.
North Haven Yacht Club
