General
As Branch Chairman firstly may I welcome you all to the Plymouth Branch web page and to the one of the most beautiful sailing areas in the country. I am pleased to report that the committee and members based in the West Country are very much an active branch with activities both on and off the water going on throughout the year. Indeed we would hope that the broad range of services on offer caters for the entire cross section of RNSA membership whether your bag be cruising, racing, making use of the RNSA moorings dotted around the region or laying your yacht up for the winter. A complete list of the current committee and services is available in the pages that follow. Finally if members have any queries or indeed any suggestions on how we may improve the RNSA services please contact either myself or any of the individual secretaries. Fair winds.
Yachting
The mainstay of branch activity during the summer months, the branch organises numerous racing and cruising events. RNSA Plymouth yacht racing, both fully crewed and double handed in IRC and PY, dovetails into the wider port of Plymouth Offshore and Inshore Points Series. RNSA specifically have responsibility for the St Peter Port, Dartmouth and Salcombe races with Steve Dart overseeing proceedings. One of the most popular racing series in Plymouth over recent years has been the Singlehanded Series, racing very much in the Corinthian spirit and attracting around 25 yachts per race. Nick Crews presiding ensures that a varied programme is run throughout the season with destinations including Salcombe, Falmouth, Dartmouth, Fowey and Northern Brittany. Ray Bailey also runs a full cruising programme in the summer months with his rum punch that traditionally starts each meet being legendary. Please contact the individual secretaries for further information.
Dinghy Sailing
Roger Irvine runs the extremely popular Bosun Dinghy series from the RM Camber on Thursday evenings throughout the spring and summer months. Attracting a wide range of abilities with boats being drawn out of a hat each night, all levels should find this series both challenging and extremely enjoyable. Certainly some of the best sailors in Plymouth see this as the ultimate test of sailing skill with the overall trophy being hotly contested every year. RM Camber also run dinghy and powerboat courses throughout the year.
Moorings
Moorings remain available for members at Salcombe, Yealm, Cargreen and Fowey. Payment either to the respective Harbour Masters or to the Branch Treasurer in the case of Cargreen, currently charged at a very reasonable £5 per night.
Winter Lay Up
A winter layup facility at Bull Point within Devonport Dockyard is available to members each year. This is very much a self help service with yachts lifting out together mid to late October and lifting in early April each year. John Gozzard is able to advise further with bids normally required to be with him by Jun each year for the following winter.
Social
A comprehensive social programme runs throughout the season, focused around the cruising and racing calendar in the summer months with the Cruising fraternity undertaking winter walks whilst the yachts are laid up. The Branch will generally hold its annual prize giving in November with dinners being held at the start and end of the season. Full details are on the events page.
Branch Membership
All RN and RM personnel serving in the area are deemed to be RNSA Branch Members and are welcome to come and join in our activities.