Model Boat Mayhem

Mess Deck: General Section => Chit-Chat => Topic started by: bobk on February 17, 2012, 09:17:21 pm

Title: We few, we happy few
Post by: bobk on February 17, 2012, 09:17:21 pm
We few, we happy few

Does anyone have information as to how many our Band of Brothers may collectively consist of ?  Since getting back into model boats I cannot help but think my chosen pastime is perhaps not high on the list of mainstream activities.  Mayhem has 7,126 members and on this forum we are able to band together and share experiences.  But, there do not seem to be a vast number of clubs, and at each a relative few who are out on the water on sailing days.  Events seem rare, and rarer within 80 miles.

Anyone know how many clubs there are, and at what average membership ?    How many people build model boats? 
As an aside, I wonder what percentage of kits sold actually get as far as a lake. 

“And gentlemen in England now-a-bed shall think themselves accurs'd they were not here, . . .
whiles any speaks who sailed with us on [name your favourite event] ”.
Title: Re: We few, we happy few
Post by: DickyD on February 17, 2012, 09:28:39 pm
Check this out Bob    http://www.srcmbc.org.uk/index.php?v1=0

100plus members and a waiting list.

No lack of members, lack of ponds ?
Title: Re: We few, we happy few
Post by: Norseman on February 17, 2012, 09:48:48 pm
Hi Bob

I haven't joined a club yet - I'm still working on refurbing my Spraymaster.
Around Merseyside and St Helens there is not a shortage of clubs - I
am looking forward to club membership. I have met a couple of Mayhemers
and made on-line friends with many more. This summer I hope to go to the
local events and Blackpool - I would really like to meet some more Mayhemers
at them. I think clubs are important if we want to involve young people in the
hobby.

Dave
Title: Re: We few, we happy few
Post by: nhp651 on February 17, 2012, 09:54:49 pm
pop in and have a chat with me anytime Dave..as has been pointed  out....I don't have a proper job seeing I'm retired on ill health,  {:-{ {:-{ {:-{

so time on my hands. :-))
Title: Re: We few, we happy few
Post by: ben hall on February 17, 2012, 10:06:27 pm
in pmbdt there must be 30-40 ish members         

and the membershipprice is  £34 for a member and for me  (beacause my mum has to join aswell)   £48




                                                                               kk
Title: Re: We few, we happy few
Post by: bobk on February 17, 2012, 10:36:27 pm
You may be right Richard, lack of suitable ponds !   Even so, it does seem a highly specialised hobby.  I have been to three events over the year and had a great time at each, but would like to see a comprehensive calendar somewhere without have to trawl the 'net.
We have a clubs list section on Mayhem, but it would be nice if there was a complete and up to date national directory.  Few other clubs within reasonable range of me otherwise I could visit and meet more of you.

I am a member of Black Park MBC, Slough.  Nearly 80 members. Really friendly bunch, I am sure any Mayhemer would be warmly welcomed.  Sundays & Thursdays, membership just £12 inc insurance - great value. 
www.blackparkmodelboatclub.org.uk  (http://www.blackparkmodelboatclub.org.uk)
Our Regatta Day is 2 September this year.  (could not resist the plug!)
Title: Re: We few, we happy few
Post by: john s 2 on February 17, 2012, 10:36:45 pm
In Basildon Boat club we have around 40 members. Our fees are £20 a year,more for family. Most members seem happy where they are so trips to other clubs arnt many. Our membership is growing, but the waters are not ideal. We have a boat house thank goodness for tables n chairs etc. At least its water. John.
Title: Re: We few, we happy few
Post by: gingyer on February 17, 2012, 10:50:43 pm
I am a member of Glasgow Richmond mbc.
In Glasgow there are about 5/6 clubs locally with Richmond being  the biggest I believe
With about 50+members

We are in the middle of refurbish our club house which will see a vast improvement over what we
Had :-))

If anyone is in the area pop in and say hello
Or visit our website http://www.glasgowrichmondmbc.co.uk/ (http://www.glasgowrichmondmbc.co.uk/)
Title: Re: We few, we happy few
Post by: barriew on February 18, 2012, 07:38:38 am
but would like to see a comprehensive calendar somewhere without have to trawl the 'net.


There are two sources of events listings - the Model Magazines usually list these for the coming month or so, and the MPBA website and Handbook list MPBA events. (The MPBA website will do when I receive the list ok2 ) I believe the South West Association also publishes a handbook and list events on its web site.

I think you will find that support for the hobby varies considerably by region. It is strong in the North and Midlands - just look at where the major exhibitions/shows take place. I think it is partly do with access to suitable water, but also the availability of Model shops. My club, Cambridge, has about 55 members, and not all of them are over 70!

Barrie
Title: Re: We few, we happy few
Post by: irishcarguy on February 18, 2012, 07:55:30 am
Hi Bob, I have found no club in this city of over one million people, but we have so many lakes that some have only numbers, no names. The ocean is 1000km west & nearly 4000km to the east. We could probably have a private lake for each model boat in England at present & still have a few spare lakes. There is some good clubs in Ontario & in British Columbia, but that is about it. You are lucky to have so much going on & good suppliers too. Mick B.
Title: Re: We few, we happy few
Post by: ben hall on February 18, 2012, 12:58:32 pm
the youngest member in our club apart from me is 40 then there mainly  70+      sorry if a member reads this and i get it wrong it was a guesstimate  :-))
Title: Re: We few, we happy few
Post by: unbuiltnautilus on February 18, 2012, 01:30:08 pm
the youngest member in our club apart from me is 40 then there mainly  70+      sorry if a member reads this and i get it wrong it was a guesstimate  :-))

We find the 'bus pass' is good as a proof of ID within the team ok2
Title: Re: We few, we happy few
Post by: Xtian29 on February 18, 2012, 03:32:09 pm
Hello

I'm member of the Bateaux Modélisme Brestois and we are around 20, there is not members under 40 and 60 is the average  {:-{ . 

I have two friends, not young ones  :embarrassed:  in southern Brittany who are the last two members of a club, then now they are just spending the last money of the club until "the end" . 

On the other side I'm really happy with internet as I'm thinking to be closer to a 22 000 km away Tasmanian builder from scratch of the Abeille Bourbon than to a modeller of my club who's building a non interresting boat for me. It's not only a question of interresting in same kind of boat but also friendship.

Then actually I have "digital friends" on so many different places. Thanks to Mayhem and other forum  :-)) I've even meet some at Warwick as example 

Now I'm still interresting with some exhibitions and meetings, and clubs are most the time engaged in this work. With my club we organize every 2 or 3 years a metting like that.

By the way I'm more and more interresting not with public exhibition but with same kind of models meeting and playing, more like friend meeting around a pool with, for me : tugs !

What can do a sailing ship modeller when the rest of the club is electical model interested ... My self I was alone for years with my interrest for tugs and it took 20 years until my tugs sails around a towed barge with other tugs !  Thanks to internet again as the owner of these "first friends of my tugs" is leaving 300 km away.

Xtian