FAQs
content
Q: Are you accepting new members?
A: Maybe 🙂 check out https://thehbsc.com/join-the-club/ for more information.
Q: Do I need to have sailing experience to join?
A: Not at all. Most people who join for the first time have little or no sailing experience. The club has experienced members who share their knowledge with new members.
Q: Can I just sign up for a few lessons?
A: No, we don’t work that way. We are a member base organization where newer members are mentored by more experienced members.
Q: Do I need a Pleasure Craft Operators Card (PCOC) to sail with HBSC?
A: If you are only sailing Albacores, no you do not. If you are a large boat sailor then yes. It is a legal requirement that all persons in control of a boat equipped with a motor have a PCOC
Q: How long is the sailing season?
A: Sailing at HBSC begins in late May/early June and runs until early October.
Q: Can I sail as a social member?
A: No, social members are welcome to come down and enjoy the clubhouse facilities but do not sail.
Q: As a member, can I bring a guest to the club?
A: Absolutely! The more the merrier. Guests are welcome for social events but if your guest is coming down every week then we suggest that they too become a member. Note that only skippers can take guests sailing. If you are crew or FM, unfortunately your guests are not allowed to sail.
Q: I am new to sailing, is HBSC right for me?
A: HBSC welcomes experienced sailors as well as new members who have never set foot on a boat. Experienced members will move up quickly while inexperienced members may take longer, but everyone has the same privileges. Remember that HBSC is also a great social club so sailing is only part of your experience.
Q: Which boat is best for me, Albacore or large boats?
A: If you are keen to master sailing then Albacores are the way to go. They are fast, nimble, and you learn very quickly because wrong moves can have wet results. Large boats are more for people who may not be up for the excitement of the Albacore and prefer a gentle evening sail. You will still learn to sail on the large boats but at a slower pace.
Q: How often can I come down to sail?
A: Our weekday program guarantees members one night of sailing each week. Members can choose whatever day works best for them. There may be opportunities to sail on other evenings but that is on an availability basis. Weekend racing and events are open to all members.
Q: What is the volunteer commitment?
A: We ask that all members volunteer in some fashion to help our club operate. It is not mandated, but we find that most members are more than willing to help. Opportunities to volunteer can be in the form of assisting with clean up days, boat maintenance (this happens summer and winter), social events, and maintaining general tidiness around the club.
Q: Can I bring my brother/sister/spouse/friend/mother in-law sailing?
A: If you are a skipper you are welcome to take anyone sailing when it is not your teaching night. If you are not a skipper then no. (one of the perks to being a skipper)
Q: What kind of boats do you have?
Q: Do you rent boats?
A: No, only members can use the boats.
Q: Can I pay on a per lesson basis?
A: No, we are a member only club. One price for everyone for the year.
Q: How much is the membership fee?
A: For the 2023 sailing season it was $250 for skippers, $300 for returning members(Crew/FM), and $400 for new members. A social membership is only $40.
Q: Can I get a digital copy of the sailing manual?
A: Yes, click on ‘Club Documents’ on the left pane. You must be a member and know the password in to view this.
Q: Can I register my kids for sailing lessons?
A: No, we are an adult only (19+) co-operative sailing club.
Q: Do you offer any sort of sailing certificate?
A: No, the club is strictly a mentorship program where members gain skills from other members.
Q: Can I keep my own boat/windsurfer/equipment in the club compound?
A: No, the compound and clubhouse are for club boats and equipment only.
Q: How fast can the boats go?
A: The Sirius’ are heavier boats and fall under the category of displacement hulls. Theoretically they have a max speed of √LWL(18.75′) x 1.34 = 5.8 knots but you have to work hard to get it to this. Albacores and Lasers on the other hand are planing hulls. More wind = more speed. Potentially in excess of 30kph but most people will capsize well before that.
