Learn to sail on the Moray Firth, Scotland with the Banff Sailing Club.
Banff Sailing Club unites people who are interested in sailing. Our members represent all walks of life and draw from a broad area of the North East. The Banff Sailing Club has two Hunter 707 fixed keel sailing boats for helping people to learn to sail. For information on ‘Taster Sessions’, improving your skills, or racing, email: 707info@banffsailingclub.co.uk
Situated on the North-East coast of Scotland, Banff Sailing Club is a well-established sailing club celebrating its 45th birthday this year. The club has a good history and a current enrolment of about 70 enthusiastic members. In January 2016 we were a finalist for the RYA ‘Club of the Year’ award and BSC stalwart Jane Bowie won the RYA’s Elizabeth MacKay Award for female endeavours in the sport of sailing. Annual involvement and active participation in the RYA ‘Push the boat out’ event, in May, aims to encourage members of the public to join in as part of National Watersports Month.
Many club members tend to moor their boats in Banff or Whitehills, whilst others have their boats further afield. There is a range of diversity in the level of experience in our membership complement. New members are always welcome. Our membership page outlines details related to fees. It is not essential to have your own boat – club boats are available for use, as are numerous opportunities to crew on fellow members’ boats.
Unless there is inclement weather, members are usually out sailing. For further details please contact our trusty bosun: bosun@banffsailingclub.co.uk to make a plan to get on the water!
Please find latest newsletter here and our Facebook page entries listed below.
For the latest club news and current events please join us on Facebook.
August 2020 – We are trying to open up club activities as best we can during the Covid 19 crisis but are following government advice all the way. Quite a number of boats are making it back onto the water and we are attempting to organise a variety of sailing events as best we can.
Facebook feed....
Following the new restrictions announced this week in Scotland to tackle the resurgence of Covid-19 we have adapted and published our guidance for boating activity.
Although we are still able to get out on the water, the potential curtailing of multiple activities towards the end of season may be frustrating for people.
However it is vital that we remember that ‘sport’ has been given certain privileges to continue, albeit in a slightly modified way, whilst other things we would normally take for granted, such as visiting friends and families indoors have been stopped.
All the measures have been put in place to help stop the spread of the global pandemic and everyone’s support is necessary to assist in reducing the risk of transmission.
Full details of the changes are below:
bit.ly/RYAS_RTB
Yesterday the Scottish Government announced new restrictions to help stop the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic in Scotland which come into place today.
As an organisation we are adapting our guidance in line with the latest advice. This will be emailed and published on our website as soon as it is completed.
Some of the key points are:
Only one household or extended household should stay on a boat overnight.
Organised outdoor activity training and events can still go ahead within a bubble of up to 30 people as long as it is organised by a clubs, class association, or RTC and has the following;
• A Covid Officer
( sportscotland.org.uk/media/5950/sportscotland-covid-officer.pdf )
• Activity is formally risk assessed and documented.
• Relevant mitigations are put in place.
• Participants details are recorded for track and trace.
Advice about not car sharing with people outside your own household to activities.
While this may affect some of our activities it important to note the measures are to stop the spread of Covid-19. Within our diverse range of activities we wish to ensure we can play our part and work together to reduce the risks to ourselves and others by always following government guidance.
#conoravirus #playingourpart #backtoboating
It was Banff Sailing Clubs first time since the Covid outbreak to welcome aboard new members.... Mike and Susan seen here and Aidan and Robert took to the water on predator and Touchdown.
If you would like to come aboard and try sailing please send us a message as we are a welcoming club and take all abilities!
Next Club Event, on 8th. August. Planning dropping marks in Banff Bay, for those who wish to practice their skills in rounding marks .Also a short passage to a GPS coordinate, East or West according to forecast. The plan is to have as many boats sailing and cruising round Banff Bay.
Notice of Event will be sent out in good time.
The 15th. August the Event will be a Passage Race/ Time Trial, along the Coast. On returning to Banff, an open air BBQ on the Quay side.
You might even see dolphins
We left Lossiemouth on Sunday and had a boisterous run north to Wick in company with 'About Time' and 'Aquamarijn' .They continued to Orkney on Tuesday and we waited for Wayfarer who joined us direct from Banff. We then Crossed Pentland in glorious sunshine to Longhope to anchor. Sailed to Stromness on Thursday and plan to leave for Eynhallow Sound tomorrow. Weather typically Scottish but yesterday was perfect for bike hire.
Graham
Skipper Plan B
Ten boats put in Banff Bay today dodging the showers and trying to find wind. Good to be out. Next event August 8th.
Dear Members
B.S.C.Saturdays sail is an informal event..All welcome to participate in the first sail of the season. Low water 1030, 0.77mts. High Water1634. 3.68mts.
Meet on the water as the tide allows. Plan to sail with tide West to Portsoy/ Sandend, Stop off or return to berth at your own time,
B.B.C. weather suggests Southerly Wind,8 to 12 kts. Thunder showers, gentle breeze. Temperature 11 to 18 degrees.
Looking forward to a good fleet of boats on the water and enjoyable sail in good company.
I am available on my mobile 078811350454, if any clarification is required.
Thanks.
Gordon.
Saturday 25th July 2020.
You are all invited to a cruise in company along the coast to celebrate our first organized event of 2020 and the return to sailing.
The event is open to all who wish to take part members or none members.
High Water Banff 1634 BST, 3.68 height.
Contact for the day is Gordon Maitland.
Gordon can be contacted on VHF channel 72 on the day or by phone 07811 350454 should you wish for any information prior to
Saturday.
The course will be determined by the weather, so if you wish to join in contact with Gordon on the day by VHF radio or by mobile.
There will be no official start or finish time, yachts will join in as and when they are able to.
The purpose of this Event is to have as many yachts on the water as possible and have an enjoyable sail.
It is likely the boats leaving Banff will not be able to exit the marina until approximately 10.30.
Best Regards,
Hope to see you on the water.
--
Pam
From the RYA website dated today 28 May -
Recreational boating in Scotland
On 28 May 2020, the First Minister announced an extension to the daily exercise guidelines in Scotland as it moves to phase 1 of its approach to easing restrictions. RYA Scotland has confirmed that the extension to exercise specifically includes sailing and motor boating and marks the beginning of a return to the water from 29 May onwards.
An announcement by the CEO, RYA Scotland can be found here:
www.rya.org.uk/newsevents/news/Pages/initialeasingofrestrictionsinscotlandannounced.aspx
Further information will be published on 29 May.
Initial Easing of Restrictions in Scotland Announced.
www.rya.org.uk
The announcement by the First Minister today that confirms the extension to the daily exercise guidelines, has been welcomed by RYA Scotland.Membership pack dropped through our door yesterday. Good to see the Zephyr leading the fleet! Here’s to future sailing. Have you got your pack?
Sailors take cabbages to sea as they keep and are nutritious. Great staple British grown food at this time of shortages
Some great sailing today at Banff. Hot pies in the oven. Great sunset on way home.
Lovely morning in Banff today, lots planned at the Committee meeting and the rib power boat maintenance work done with the rib now out of the water. Save the date. Quiz night Saturday February 28th. Details coming out soon.
The committee will be meeting tomorrow morning and others will be around the harbour doing some maintenance work on the club boats so if you are around Banff Harbour at lunchtime pop into the clubhouse for a coffee
Details of an event in early summer.... anyone interested let Mick Bolger know. I have enquired about a group of us crewing a boat that may be interested in entering either individuals or as a group. Possibly take one or both the club boats down or use Bonhomie?
lookaside.fbsbx.com/file/Flotilla%20summary%20%20NOR%20added%20.pdf?token=AWxrtK4ireeNqLP_yP0Hv5N...
Any skippers for this crew?
youtu.be/AeWxaXYFn04
youtu.be
Landon, if you're watching this video, I'm sorry about your boat mate.Today’s Xmas soup and mince pies went down a treat.... a big thank you to all involved.
First meeting of new committee today. Christmas meal and prize giving Sunday 24th November. Have you got your tickets? Soup and mince pie Saturday 14th December 12.30 with discussion and ideas chat about programme for 2020. All welcome.
Notice - Banff Bridge to close for repairs on Sun 27th - same day of the AGM
www.facebook.com/430917186975751/posts/2648455325221915?sfns=moA reminder to motorists that Banff Bridge will be closed for one day this Sunday (October 27) to enable a routine inspection to be undertaken by Aberdeenshire Council.
The bridge closure was scheduled before the recent flooding and, in the interests of public safety, will be closed from 5am to 1pm.
Access for pedestrians and emergency vehicles will be maintained.
A traffic diversion will be in place via the A947 to Turriff, A947 via Market Street, Church Street, Gladstone Terrace, Deveron Street and Deveron Road to B9025 to Aberchirder to A97 to Banff.
Last call for a RYA Powerboat Level 2 course this weekend at Peterhead: www.aberdeenshiresailing.org/aberdeenshire_sailing_trust_016.htm This is a pre-requisite for becoming a dinghy instructor.
We've a VHF (SRC) Radio course & exam on Saturday 31st August at Peterhead. This is the course & exam that you need to be able to get a licence to use a VHF radio. More info here: www.aberdeenshiresailing.org/aberdeenshire_sailing_trust_013.htm
Click on link to access Entry form and Race Notice www.banffsailingclub.co.uk/index.php
Another great days sailing Saturday. A few boats out including the two 707s. Started off with light airs, then a front came through anwe had good winds. Then as it passed over it turned into a glorious afternoon sail. A few boats anchored up in the sheltered bay behind Troop Head and had lunch before sailing home.