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[Pointy]

Building is one thing, sailing is another.

Which is more pleasurable for you?

Are you happy with where you sail?

 I had no idea just what an impact it would have on me to find somewhere to sail my model. Its not a simple thing. I tried a small lake in a golf course but was told it was "club waters only" by a bunch of nasty old men. I went to a small public pond but the water was full of weeds and there was not much room to manoeuvre and some of the public were weird. There is a nice stretch of canal I go to but it is also full of weeds, midges and water traffic and after a near miss with a fast launch I thought I'd travel a bit further. So last Sunday I went to Black Lake and its wonderful. I got there about 1pm and did not see any other boaters  :( but the water is beautiful, the fishermen were fine sharing the water with me and it was big! A real shock for me to find such a wonderful place for sailing and could do things with the boat I could not do before. A part of me was just waiting for someone to come along and tell me I couldn't sail there or something but it didn't happen. Don't think I enjoyed the hobby so much since my first voyage with the just finished model.

[Jankers]

Hi pointy,

I used to think I prefered building but after sailing for the third time (the first two were shakedown)
i found i very much enjoyed it.

I am very lucky I suppose as there are two public waters, a very large lake (Herrington), ideal for fast electricts or yachts, and a purpose built pond in Roker Park, also quite big, certainly for scale models.

These where both built specifically for model boating so nobody to chase you off (though you still get the odd individual whoe refuses to flag his radio).

J.

[cbr900]

Pointy I enjoy both sides of the coin, as building is great, but sailing something that you have created is also special, as for sailing our local council has provided us with a lake which they up keep for us , we also have the use of a public dam quite big, and we have the use of two private dams at any time with offers of others, so finding a sailing spot here in Tasmania is not a problem and they are all within a few minutes drive..



Roy

[ron h]

There,s nothing like seeing your latest creation sail away in the distance, at our society now we have a launch day, every new sailing model has a launch day with all members watching, now that can be daunting,

[White Ensign]

In Stuttgart area we have a pretty numbers of facilities to sail in. The trouble is, that the waterside of the river neckar is either in privat hands or held by fishermen. Although the drift is just good for large models. The most ponds and lakes are held by fishermen too, which leads to a several discussions with them and sometimes slaps are in the air..., or they are private property and modeling is not allowed. Though there are just two ponds left where to sail in. One has the double size of a football-field and must be shared with two other clubs, the other one is a better swamp. Full of ducks and alimentary rests.....
Though- being a shipmodeler gives you a bit the feeling of being an outlaw..... 

Jörg

[gary r uk]

Ho Pointy
I'm glad you liked our lake, Black Park if you come down to us between 0900-1300 hrs on Sunday or 1200-15oo hrs on Thursday  we will make you very welcome.
And theres also safety in numbers if you should get into difficulties and need rescuing.
cheers
gary rowe
BPMBC

[Daryl]

I live in Gloucester and sail in a small lake in Yate a bit weedy but good. The reasons are YSMBC are one of the most freindliest clubs around, lack of water unless the scale is 12 inches to the foot or you want to fish. I work in Cirencester near the water parks, out of 200+ ponds and lakes none is available for the modeller, only a small group who sail yatchs and for that you have to belong to the yatch club £80 memership + insurance. Jet skis no problem, models no chance!

Daryl

[Pointy]

Thanks alot Gary, I will try to do that- would be good to see other boats on that great lake. Poll is interesting, most of us seem to go to lakes, note how few have of us have access to a purpose built pond.

[gary r uk]

Pointy
It seems that most purpose built lakes are up north where local councils seem to fall over them selves to help local attractions.
gary

[boatmadman]

We use the local park lake, see www.geocities.com/furnessmbc for a pic

[GOGSAMWE]

I use a local  parks lake.

The Victorians left us with some fantastic parks.. however, local council budgets and the "yobbo" culture, does eat away into the facility.

We have "battles" with fishermen ( My son and I are fishermen too). We try to use "wind" power when they are present..  powered  when they are not..as long as each other respects the others "space" we can happily co-habit and share the lake.

We have lost one boats superstructure , due to some plonkas trying to hit it with a leger rig !
and a close shave, where a boats prop got snagged on someones fishing line that they had clearly also snagged on an obstruction.   

This  summers dry weather has taken its toll.. the water level is about 18" lower than normal.. We need a damn crane to get the boats in and out !

All this said.. I still like  my local parks lake

    

[2772e]

Wish I could find a decent bit of water near me. Last time i used the local place (salt water) i got holed. Still looking for somewhere to sail.

Anybody know anywhere in Essex?

[Stavros]

Wat Tyler in Pitsea,or even try the one that is situated in belus woods the Grays and Thurrock model boat club meet there,isn't it good when a Welshman tells an ERssex lad where to sail (Iam a member of the wat tyler club meetings every sun)

[flag-d]

Down here in Poole, Dorset, we are lucky enough to have Poole Park Lake, just on the outskirts of the town centre.  One end is 'cordoned off' as it were by a railed, concrete path suspended on pillars which gives full 360° access around the this area which is for model boats only.  Poole Radio Yacht Club are based here, mostly yachts (hence the name!), but more and more scale these days too.  The only downsides are that it is salt water and for a couple of months of the year, the lake is drained.  On the plus side, there is lake-side parking (free too!) and rarely more than half a dozen boats out at any one time.

Mike

[2772e]

Thanks Stavros, both the lakes you mention are well over an hour/plus away and are a bit more Essex than i will ever be. I should be more accurate, but further North up the A12 would suit, around the Colchester area.

The quest continues.

Mike, thanks, one of my favorite areas.

I was fortunate enough to have a day trip on a refurbished ww2 motor gun boat out of Poole a couple of years ago. Talk about fast!

[Stavros]

ok try this then http://http://www.btinternet.com/~rigden/boatclub/index.htm in that doea not do well you will have to search this then!!!http://www.modelboatlakes.co.nr/

[2772e]

Thanks Stavros, i have looked at the model boat website but only one listed and its salt! The first one does not seem to work? can you check and advise please?

[neilthebus]

Hi.
I use Hemsworth Water Park near Wakefield. Its a local authority amenity. Up to now had no problem with the fisher men. The Park Rangers are extremely helpful and also quite supportive. Apparently there is (or was) a local model  boat club that attended on a Sunday morning. So far I have not been able to meet up with them. I use public transport and the buses dont run to there from our end on a Sunday so its a bit difficult.

The place also has a cafe and loos and plenty of play areas so its great for the family too.

[bradboat]

Hi Pointy,
Just spent a super day sailing at Bryn Bach Lake in Tredegar (S Wales). An excellent public park facility.
Made a nice change from my local club venue at Roath Park Lake (Cardiff), another reasonably maintained public park.
Also sail at little known nearby lake, well frequented by fisherman, but can usually find some space! (Not well known by us boaters yet, but spreading the word  :)
Many thanks to the members at Bryn Bach for the invite and kind welcome afforded to both myself and young son. Certainly renews the argument about unwelcoming clubs.
Bradboat

[Stavros]

Ok Mike this one works for definate!!!http://www.btinternet.com/%7Erigden/boatclub/index.htm

[perkasa]

Hi,

Down here in the south we have some good ponds many owned and maintained by the forestry commission. The main council owned pond at Gang Warily is fantastic. Our small club welcomes visitors. We started the year off very well but by the end of August the pond had all but dried up. This happened last year as well but not quite so bad.  There are alternative ponds, however as these are owned by the and the membership is controlled.

Has anyone else had a pond dry up on them?

[boatmadman]

we were without water for 18 months while the council cleaned out and tried to repair the lake!