The Future:
There is always an optimum size to which a yacht club can grow, but beyond
this point communication becomes more difficult, personalities tend to be
submerged, and lack of cohesion and purpose result. We are limited in
development by the size and site of our Club.
Membership will always be under pressure from the marinas and their
yachtsmen, many of whom will want to join this Club. By the time the second
marina is developed, the berths in the Lymington River should be at the
maximum that is compatible with the interests of other river users.
There is room for at least two yacht clubs and I look forward very much to
the Town Sailing Club going from strength to strength and continuing to be
our friendly rivals in every way.
Dinghy racing which founded the sailing tradition in this Club will, if it
is to continue and it should - have to be outside in the Solent and this
will apply equally to keel boats. I believe that keel boat racing will
increase in the West Solent but in handicapping I consider we should
reconcile the rating of unrated boats to their I.O.R. rated sisters and not
try to encourage a local handicap system. If we do this, it will encourage
more and better boats to race in these events.
The number of members the Club can comfortably accommodate can really only
be determined by experience, and we are, I think, nearing the maximum.
There is still room for expansion, in the forecourt and one or two other
places. Develop this ultimately by all means, to improve facilities, but
not, I suggest, to increase the number of members.
To lessen the work load on the secretariat and to help cope with the
increasing demands made by racing and sailing generally, I believe we will
have to have a sailing secretary - initially part-time - and space for an
office has been made available in the plans for the S.W. corner. In the 50
years since the inception of this Club, war has caused many gaps in the
narration of this book which has been written to place on permanent record
something of the story of the Club. The gaps, however, have not prevented a
cruising and racing record equal to any other club and better than most.
I hope it will remind our older members to take a pride in their past
achievements and that they will encourage our younger members to do at least
as well.
The book has been compiled and edited by a small team of our Members and
friends of the Club
and has been paid for entirely by generous donations. A splendid example of
self help - perhaps our
greatest potential asset in this Club.
I offer our most sincere thanks to all who have made the production of this
book possible.
