Re: Swallow anew?


[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ Previous # Next ] [ Start New Thread ] [ TarBoard ]

Posted by Peter H on August 18, 2005 at 12:15:53 from 86.130.120.170 user Peter_H.

In Reply to: Re: Swallow anew? posted by andyb on August 18, 2005 at 00:22:20:

OK, I go along with a lot of what Andy says. And I agree that a 'common project' can unify and raise morale in a society. Let's say, then, that a replica Swallow is built. What then? Andy envisages use of the boat by TARS members.

It's likely that New Swallow ('NS') would be out of the water during the winter months, so she would be available from around March-Oct. Where would NS be based? Would she be taken to the TARS IAGM and other boat festivals? How much time would that leave for 'ordinary' hiring?

Would TARS members be allowed to sail in her without an authorised skipper being aboard? If not, that would restrict crew capacity. If people could sail in NS without supervision, what about the damage factor? Would NS suffer the same treatment as the NBT dinghy Rosie, which, I understand, has had to be withdrawn from general use? What genuine chance would 'yer average Tar' living a long way from the NS base (Pin Mill, I bet you!) get to sail in NS each year? Once if you're very lucky? And would they be expected to pay for the experience?

Finally, from the TARS point of view, a decision has to be made as to how much funding the Society provides. A modest donation (say up to £1,000) would probably upset no one. However, if TARS had to bail out the project with a sum over £5,000, then those of us who don't sail and live inland might just wonder what we are paying our subs for. I don't want to be too negative about the NS idea - it's a nice one - but we should remember that there are other things to do with spare funds (if any) - TARS used to sponsor 'disadvantaged' youngsters on sail weekends at Horstead, and still does provide sets of AR books free to deserving schools. I think I would honestly rather see membership funds devoted to that sort of thing, and to AR promotion generally, than to a single-issue project, the end-product of which could require ongoing manpower, time and maintenance funds (which, incidentally, would increase as the years go by). I am afraid that the words 'white' and 'elephant' come to mind.


Follow Ups:



Post a Followup

Name:
Eel-Mail:

Existing subject (please edit appropriately) :

Comments:

Optional Link URL:
Link Title:
Optional Image URL:

post direct to TarBoard test post first

Before posting it is necessary to be a registered user.


[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ TarBoard ]

Courtesy of Environmental Science, Lancaster

space