Background

The association was formed in 1965 and has around 300 members. Their maritime interests are extensive and relate to anything that floats of various gendre, the related technology, history, places of interest and world wide destinations. Members may actively cruise, race, charter or simply potter on the river - others mostly enjoy the camaraderie of the weekly talks and social events.

Meetings

Meetings are held during the Autumn and Spring on Wednesday evenings at the Memorial Centre in Gerrards Cross. The large modern hall and bar opens at 7.30pm to enable members and guests to meet informally before and after the meetings. Typical attendances are between 70 and 100. Visitors are very welcome.

Each meeting is normally an illustrated talk presented either by an invited professional speaker or member. Topics are wide ranging and amongst others include yacht cruising, seamanship, navigation, meteorology and environmental issues. Past programmes can be seen on the programme page.

Saturday Specials

These are whole day instructional courses with limited places on topics such as VHF, radar, engine maintenance, astro navigation, survival and first aid. These events are often linked to RYA certification schemes. There are arranged according to demand, there being usually one or two each season.

Crewing

The association keeps registers of skippers looking for crew and members seeking crewing experience. Crews often get an opportunity to visit new cruising grounds and build experience, possibly for formal RYA qualifications. Using this list members have had a wide variety of experiences such as Baltic and Mediterranean cruises, Biscay crossings and passages to and from the Canaries. This register is predominately operated by email for expediency.

Social and Sailing Programme

In addition to the weekly winter meetings, the "Social and sailing programme" includes summer weekend rallies, usually one longer cruise in company, mid week visits to places of interest and an annual dinner.

Joining

Membership of the association is available to all who share our passion for sailing and the sea. Annual membership costs £30 for a single member and £35 for family members. Members who have moved away from the area and can only attend a few meetings but wish to keep in touch pay an outport fee of £10 Payment is by bankers standing order payable on October 1st every year. Non members and guests will be required to pay a visitors fee of £5.00 at meetings and are excluded from the association's special events and rallies. Non members cannot post to the small ads pages of the website, or use the crewing register.

Membership Application

A membership and standing order form can be printed from your browser (89k pdf file). After downloading and printing, return to this page using your browser's "back" button. Alternatively you can contact the secretary via the contact page for application forms. Should you have any queries, please address these to committee members on a meeting evening, or use the contact page.