Page 4 - Yachter Autumn 2024

4 COMMODORE’S REPORT
COMMODORE’S REPORT Welcome to the Autumn 2024 edition of the Yachter.
Since I was elected as your Commodore in March 2024, Club matters
have been all consuming!
The flood, in early April at Gins, understandably had a major impact on the Clubhouse and its surroundings. There was 4 feet of water in the ground floor. High Water was predicted at 3.8 metres but the actual height was 4.8 metres. The highest previously recorded high tide at Beaulieu
is 4.5 metres. It was that further 0.3 metres that caused the sea to surge over the bank.
The repairs to the Clubhouse are finished, including a new lift. The Clubhouse looks better than ever.
I am immensely proud of and grateful
to the Flag Officers, Committee Members, Club Volunteers and, in particular, to our Business Manager, Stuart Earp and his team at Gins, for all their incredibly hard work
in getting the Clubhouse up and running again, more quickly than expected.
Major work to replace the planking on and overhaul the Brow of the Club’s Walk-Ashore Pontoon, was not as straight forward as we expected. Once the planks were removed in mid-summer, severe corrosion was discovered in all the steel cross-members and bracing straps. This discovery considerably extended the repairs timetable, as new steelwork had
to be fabricated and also doubled the cost.
My thanks again go to Tina Daniel, whose idea it was when she was Rear Commodore Facilities, to have a ‘Plaque on a Plank’ fundraising scheme, which has greatly helped to raise funds for these repairs. The cost of a plaque is £100. Many of them are already fixed on the very smart refurbished brow. There
is room for more plaques, so if you haven’t donated a plaque, please consider doing so.
The food at the Club has been outstanding this year, thanks to our new Chef, Albin.
We have received many compliments
on his imaginative and beautifully
presented food. If you haven’t yet done so, come and dine at Gins. Don’t forget to book – you won’t be disappointed!
Away from the Clubhouse, our Race Management Teams have been busy delivering varied racing: MDL sponsored Warm-Up, Double-Handed and Twilight Series; Cowes Week; Racing Practice Day; Beaulieu Series and our Annual Regatta. Despite not having the best weather this year – either too much or too little wind, our RMT Volunteers
have been delivering wide-ranging racing.
The Cruising Members had an enjoyable get-together, resulting in new ideas. A Cruising WhatsApp group has been established. Rallies were scheduled at Easter, in St. Vaast and at Bembridge and more were planned. A new event, the Christmas Rally for festively decorated boats at Gins is set for 30th November.
2025 will be the 150th Anniversary of the Club and plans are already underway to celebrate this important milestone. Look out for more information in the coming months.
I would like to express my thanks to
my fellow Flag Officers and Members of
the Executive Committee, who have been incredibly supportive. My particular thanks go to Dave Martin, Rear Commodore Finance, who resigned recently after 2.5 years in that role. Dave has also been Captain of Racing and defacto Rear Commodore
Sailing. Simon Derrick, who has considerable business experience and until recently Finance Representative on the Executive, has been appointed Director of Finance. We cannot appoint a RC Finance until the AGM.
Our RSYC Team is excellent. The first point of contact for most of us is the wonderful Maggie Puleston, our Membership Secretary. After nearly 30 years, Maggie
has decided to retire just before Christmas. We will miss her cheerful voice, helpful manner and encyclopaedic knowledge
of the Club. Maggie, on behalf of the Members, I wish you a Happy Retirement.
Volunteers are key to the Club, without whom the Club would not function. You are a very precious resource and I thank you for your hard work and contribution. We are always looking for more Volunteers. By all means contact me if you are interested.
Plans for 2025 events are well underway; Socials, Racing and Cruising. Another new planned event is the RSYC Challenge Cup, a Treasure Hunt by Boat. Do come and join in!
Guy Darby Commodore