Here in Florida we have a high percentage of the population being retired. Considering we have many ponds and lakes, year round good weather, at least better than many other places, the SSMBC (free, no rules and regulations) members attending meets is quite low, 4 - 6 on an average day.

The pond we use is free, easy access, great launching platform, and a very short walk from the parking lot to the shelter (with tables) and down to the pond. Back in the 1990's and early 2000's (2000-2013) the previous club (BAEB) would frequently average about 15 at meets and much more for regattas. 2013 Photos here show one of the last "large events" at this location.

In addition, many people mention "Why not have a regatta?" - but no one will volunteer. I was the last chairperson for a regatta at Lake Seminole Park.

I attribute some of the downturn to Covid and gas prices, but it goes beyond that. Attitude - but I will not go any further here. Also, in a previous discussion on this blog we went into the downsizing of hobby shops.

Lew

Hi Herman,

I read your comments regarding the lack of young people interested in model sailing - and even less joining our Clubs.

I think we all feel similarly at times' but we really should not be despondent.
Indeed, I have been a member of various model boat clubs for all of 15 years now - and I have certainly heard such comments all too many times.

Despite this a steady stream of new "old guys" have been joining those clubs - with overall numbers hardly changing.

Enjoy this wonderful hobby and spread the word - new enthusiasts and hopefully young members will result!!

With best wishes Dr John F. L&B BBC. 😁😁😁😁😁😁

picture of the pond

gentlemen skippers
just to make you a little ..... Our pond is made by the government in the early 60 ties.
completely in concrete -2 levels down to avoid the wind disturbing the sailing 50 inch deep
based next to the yachting harbour on the leftside of the river Schelde. with camping facilities next door... and even then we are glad if there are 10 people on a sunny sunday morning😊

Sure wish we had something like that in my local area! Is there a fee paid to the keepers of the park?

What's the name of the club/lake in Bury ?

a good morning,
Out of my 3 grandchildren only the youngest who is almost 5 is" interested" and like to hold the futaba transmitter 😊 so hopefully this is the beginning of a new story with the successor
regards

Hiya,

My 9 year old grandson likes sailing my RAF crash Tender when they come to stay with us for a few days. I've tried to get him interested in building a simple kit but to no avail as yet! We had talked about it for a Christmas present but a games console won out! I suppose he will need some guidance with the build but we live too far away in Shropshire and the nearest model boat club is about 1 hours drive away.

The Fairhaven Lake is about 40 miles away from where I live but if we are ever in the area I will definitely make an effort to pay a visit. I personally visit a club near Bury (8 miles away) and they sail on Weds, Fri and Sunday mornings. There is often a good turnout on a Sunday and Fridays is also popular with informal yacht races.😊

A GOOD MORNING
what a difference in action!! You mention that you gather at the lake 3!!!!!! times a week. We ( ROYAL ANTWERP MODELYACHT CLUB) gather once a week ( on sundays) and even then we have trouble to find a lot of people :( In summertime we got our monthly regatta one with steam engines and one with electromotors and we welcome max 10 members. All around the same age which means over 70 😊
It is a pity that youngsters are not interested more in modell building. A friend of mine is flying with drones which is the newest thing and even there there is not intrest. It is ashame but i think that our hobby is slowly dying...... I m not a negative person but this is reality unfortunately. one thing it s' not our fault as all clubs face the same problem.

B&FMBC/FLMBC was formed in 1996 by a group of people who enjoyed making and sailing model boats, and doing the latter in the pleasant surroundings of Fairhaven Lake and Gardens
We Sail in, and from, an area at the North West end of the lake by the Life size Spitfire Replica. We can sail any time that the weather is fine, but members usually gather Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday evenings during the sailing "season", which is April through to October, starting at 6 PM until dusk. More formal gatherings, such as regattas, happen on Sundays 11.00am onwards. The Sunday evening sessions are sometimes missed if there is an event that the club is involved in that weekend, such as a Sunday afternoon sailing session at the lake, or an exhibition elsewhere. All of this is, of course, weather permitting. The club has use of the Water sports centre where there are toilets ,showers ,tea/coffee making facilities and use of meeting rooms etc. To which the club has a meeting every 2nd Wednesday of the month unless notified different
Members' interests vary considerably, from small-scale warships (1/120th scale PT boat about 6” long) through tugs, trawlers and launches to various sizes of yacht. There is very little interest in competitive sailing, we do it mostly for relaxation and the enjoyment of seeing a good-looking boat in its proper element, water. The exception is, of course sailboats. Put more than one on the same stretch of water at the same time and you automatically have a race going on. But generally nothing formal.
As there is easy access to just two sides, radio control of any type of model is a must.
For several years past, after the season end, normally 3rd weekend in October, we have hosted the Blackpool Model Boat Show.