ABOUT OUR CLUB
Welcome to the website of our friendly family Club, run and enjoyed by an enthusiastic group of model boat builders, buyers, and sailors of a wide range of craft (and ages!!!!!). All types of boat are encouraged - except those powered by internal combustion – and not just “scale” models.
So, if you can build a fully-rigged sailing ship, or bought the latest “ready to sail” model from the Hobby Shop – you will be very welcome. If you just want to just watch, get some ideas or advice, that's fine too but please be aware of COVID social distancing / current rules at time of visit.
With the landmark Rivington Pike as our background, our sailing pond is situated down Squirrel Lane, Horwich, Greater Manchester, and Junction 6 of the M61 Motorway, then the A673 northbound, will take you to our sailing water, which is close to Post Code BL6 7RR. (note: this code relates to a farm in Squirrel Lane - continue to the gate on the left)
Car access is through a gate which is unlocked by a key presented to Members only. Visitors are welcome, via a public track down to the pond. The water is shared with a local Fishing Club, and boat sailing days are Wednesday and Sunday. The water is not available for boats on any other day.
Sailing generally takes place between 10am - 3pm
So, if you can build a fully-rigged sailing ship, or bought the latest “ready to sail” model from the Hobby Shop – you will be very welcome. If you just want to just watch, get some ideas or advice, that's fine too but please be aware of COVID social distancing / current rules at time of visit.
With the landmark Rivington Pike as our background, our sailing pond is situated down Squirrel Lane, Horwich, Greater Manchester, and Junction 6 of the M61 Motorway, then the A673 northbound, will take you to our sailing water, which is close to Post Code BL6 7RR. (note: this code relates to a farm in Squirrel Lane - continue to the gate on the left)
Car access is through a gate which is unlocked by a key presented to Members only. Visitors are welcome, via a public track down to the pond. The water is shared with a local Fishing Club, and boat sailing days are Wednesday and Sunday. The water is not available for boats on any other day.
Sailing generally takes place between 10am - 3pm
How it started
The Club has been active in the North/West for many years. It was originally part of the “Wigan Model Power Boat Club”, who sailed at the “Three Sisters” lake. The Scale section of the club moved to Haigh Hall, where they became the “Haigh Hall Scale Model boat Club”. Members put in much effort into developing the pond and the surrounding area, but sadly, in the early nineties, the club had to move from Haigh Hall and search for a new water.
The club then became the North West Scale Model Boat Club, - NWSMBC.
The Club has been active in the North/West for many years. It was originally part of the “Wigan Model Power Boat Club”, who sailed at the “Three Sisters” lake. The Scale section of the club moved to Haigh Hall, where they became the “Haigh Hall Scale Model boat Club”. Members put in much effort into developing the pond and the surrounding area, but sadly, in the early nineties, the club had to move from Haigh Hall and search for a new water.
The club then became the North West Scale Model Boat Club, - NWSMBC.
Sail or power (but sorry no petrol powered!)
Following on some discussions regarding yacht sailing / racing and scale leisure sailing we are going to try a slightly different format on the pond.
It's apparent that a growing number of members now own sail boats (myself included). I am eager that the yachts do not start to impact on the normal inclusive scale sailing activities.
As the pond is not enormous we are looking at trying to work a compromise where all the normal relaxed scale sailing takes place, and separate yacht sailing / racing can take place.
We are going to trial the following system :-
On normal pond sailing days (Wednesdays and Sundays), upto 1pm its business as normal - with priority to powered scale boats - you can still sail yachts of course, but powered scale boats have priority on the water. This has always been the norm at the pond as we have only had a few sail boats on the water.
However - from 1pm onwards, yachts take a priority on the pond and then powered scale boats will be asked to give a wide birth to any racing course that has been set.
Most of us with scale boats have finished sailing by 1pm generally, so no change for the majority.
So - anybody can sail on the pond at any time on normal Wednesdays and Sundays , but yacht course racing is from 1pm onwards. Before 1pm, yachts can sail, but ‘casual’ sailing and keep clear of the scale boats - after 1pm it swaps over....scale powered boats can still sail, but then ‘power gives way to sail’ comes into play and we stay clear of any racing course that may have been set.
The main reason for this is so that when things return to normal sailing, our lazy scale sailors (that's me as well) can carry on with our casual sailing and having brews and relaxing without having to avoid a flock of racing yachts.....and likewise....the flock of racing yachts can set up a course and races held or just casual yacht sailing, but knowing its a clearer lake.
We are just going to trail it and see how things pan out. Hopefully this can satisfy all of our sailing needs!
As we cant have any club meeting at the moment its a struggle to go through these ideas with all club members - We will see how it works and then formalise it at the AGM or next meetings (whenever that may be !)
Thank you
David
It's apparent that a growing number of members now own sail boats (myself included). I am eager that the yachts do not start to impact on the normal inclusive scale sailing activities.
As the pond is not enormous we are looking at trying to work a compromise where all the normal relaxed scale sailing takes place, and separate yacht sailing / racing can take place.
We are going to trial the following system :-
On normal pond sailing days (Wednesdays and Sundays), upto 1pm its business as normal - with priority to powered scale boats - you can still sail yachts of course, but powered scale boats have priority on the water. This has always been the norm at the pond as we have only had a few sail boats on the water.
However - from 1pm onwards, yachts take a priority on the pond and then powered scale boats will be asked to give a wide birth to any racing course that has been set.
Most of us with scale boats have finished sailing by 1pm generally, so no change for the majority.
So - anybody can sail on the pond at any time on normal Wednesdays and Sundays , but yacht course racing is from 1pm onwards. Before 1pm, yachts can sail, but ‘casual’ sailing and keep clear of the scale boats - after 1pm it swaps over....scale powered boats can still sail, but then ‘power gives way to sail’ comes into play and we stay clear of any racing course that may have been set.
The main reason for this is so that when things return to normal sailing, our lazy scale sailors (that's me as well) can carry on with our casual sailing and having brews and relaxing without having to avoid a flock of racing yachts.....and likewise....the flock of racing yachts can set up a course and races held or just casual yacht sailing, but knowing its a clearer lake.
We are just going to trail it and see how things pan out. Hopefully this can satisfy all of our sailing needs!
As we cant have any club meeting at the moment its a struggle to go through these ideas with all club members - We will see how it works and then formalise it at the AGM or next meetings (whenever that may be !)
Thank you
David
