About The Club

Membership

Membership is open to Civil Servants, retired or ex Civil Servants, B.T. employees and employees of certain other government agencies. A restricted number of other members can also be accepted.
Full members must hold two Civil Service Sports Council shares and be members of the Civil Service Sailing Association (we can help you with your applications if you wish).

The 2008 annual membership subscription for full members is £45 and the joining fee is £20. This admits the member, the member's spouse or permanent partner and their children under 18 years to all the privileges of membership. Member's children from the age of 18 to the age of 21 years who are in full-time education or unemployed can enjoy the privileges of membership whilst living under the parental roof. Fees are charged for the storage of craft in the pound.

Sailing at the club

Southampton water itself is comparatively sheltered and offers several sailing destinations for picnics, barbecues, pubs, marinas and restaurants. Dinghies and tenders can be launched from the club at most states of the tide.
The club welcomes applications from both experienced sailors and novices. Most long standing members have their own boats which they keep at the club. These range from family sailing dinghies to high performance racing dinghies and from small day boats to medium sized six-berth cruisers.
A growing fleet of club sailing dinghies is available which include Topaz, Comet duo and Laser 13 for members new to the sport and for those members who do not want to commit themselves to ownership.

An extensive program of dinghy events is planned for the sailing season. It includes racing and cruising as well as open days, youngsters’ days and instruction courses. The cruiser sailors usually plan several weekends away and one extended cruise in the summer.
The Civil Service Dinghy Championships are held at the club each year. Civil servants travel from all over the south of England to take part.
The club owns an outboard powered 4.8m RIB (rigid inflatable boat) which is used to support dinghy sailing events. It also owns a diesel powered ex ships lifeboat which is used as a general purpose work boat.

Novice sailors wishing to gain experience are encouraged to sail on days or evenings when organised events are taking place. Even if they do not wish to take part in the event, the club RIB can keep an eye on them and experienced members are available for help and advice.
The club has a number of cruiser mooring sites close to the club. These become available from time to time. Within certain restrictions cruisers can be accommodated in the club pound during the winter. A lift, built and operated by the members is used for launching and recovery.

Club Facilities

There is an attractive, warm, well equipped clubhouse surrounded by grass and overlooking Southampton water. Members have their own keys and can use the club at any time. The galley and licensed bar are staffed by members on during events and club nights throughout the sailing season.
There are no paid staff at the club. Major work is contracted out but minor improvements and general maintenance are carried out by the members. In the winter season, a series of organised work Sundays are held with good, hot food provided by the galley. Members are expected to attend at least two of the work Sundays or to carry out tasks in lieu. It is also expected that new members run galley duties, this is a great way to introduce you to the club.

Club publications

Members are kept informed of club news through a monthly news letter entitled Mainsheet.

An annual club booklet is provided for members which has rules and planned events.

The web site also provides information on tides, weather, dingy bookings as well as a member’s forum and gallery.