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Channel Sailing Club
We offer the chance to regularly meet other enthusiasts
and experience the pleasure of sailing in waters such as the Solent,
the English Channel, across to France and the Channel Islands.
Originally called “The Pirates Cruising Club”, 
Channel Sailing Club was formed over 30 years ago to encourage sailing
enthusiasts to add practical skills
to the theory of navigation and seamanship. Over a number of years,hundreds
of members have gained practical sailing skills and confidence to
either skipper their own boat, to charter or to act as competent
crew for others.
By sailing with and meeting other like-minded people,
members can draw on the extensive knowledge of others in a friendly,
sociable atmosphere and at a very reasonable cost.
We welcome a spectrum, from complete novices, who may only want
to see what sailing is all about, to experienced boat owners, who
appreciate the advantages of experienced crew and sailing in company.
Channel Sailing Club Events
Our current membership is around 250 with approximately
60 owning boats
ranging from 18 to over 40 feet in length. We organize a whole host
of events throughout the year covering a wide range of activities
from Solent cruises, trips across the Channel, overnight sailing,
racing weekends and an on-the-water treasure hunt.
The highlight of the busy programme are The Spring
Cruise and the Late Summer Cruise where our flotilla heads off for nine days of sailing and
socializing, often to the Channel Islands, France or the West Country.
Cruises are carefully planned and organized to take
into account available boats, crew needs and the skills available,
ensuring the correct balance within each group
Accomplished yachtsmen make every effort to help those new to sailing
allowing them to put into practice what they've learned ashore,
never forgetting the key goals - safety and of course fun!
If you're new to boats, we'll match you up with an experienced skipper
so that you can learn the ropes. All you'll be asked to pay is a
share of the food, drink, fuel, mooring fees etc.
For those new to sailing, perhaps a first-time boat
owner or those who just seem to stumble across knotty problems,
help is at hand. Other members are always keen to assist and you'll
soon be up to speed with the art of sailing as well as boat maintenance.
The Club also operates a bosunry for its members and encourages
would-be students to take night-school classes in navigation and
seamanship. Need an Almanac or help with cleaning your boat ? Now
you know where to come!
Social
It goes without saying that the social side of the
club is by no means neglected! While we're not out on the water,
club members meet weekly on Tuesday evenings at the Epsom Sports
Club to socialize over a drink, organize the next trip and generally
chat about their last voyage. It may seem a strange place to have
a Sailing Club, but as many boat owners live locally, so mid-week
is a good time to meet and talk, and also to get together before
a weekend event. In addition, we run a number of other shore-based
activities such as a BBQ, a curry night, a quiz evening and talks by internal and external speakers on subjects related
to both the sea and sailing.
Locations
Member's boats are located at various places
in the Solent with the majority being in Portsmouth Harbour and Chichester Harbour.
Wavelength
As a group we keep all our members up to date with
all these events via "Wavelength", the club's newsletter.
Inside each issue, which is published four times a year, you'll
find articles on sailing, recent cruises, member profiles, etc.
Wavelength is published in January, April, July & October.
You will also find further details of current sailing events, the
organizer and an Application Form for those events. Budding reporters
and photographers are always welcome!
Email Alerts
In addition, we keep members up to date by regular
Email Alerts. latest news and reminders of cruises, races and socials.
But we need your current email address!!
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