Rules and ByeLaws

Hunts Sailing Club CONSTITUTIONAL RULES and BYELAWS Contents Updated after 2025 AGM

1. Name and Objects

2. Interpretation

3. Categories of Membership

4. Membership Applications, Renewal and Fees 

5. Obligations of Membership 

6. Berths 

7. Abandoned Boats, Trailers and other Property 

8. Guests 

9. Officers 

10. Committee 

11. Meetings of the Committee  

12. Sub-Committees 

13. General Meetings & Annual General Meeting 

14. General 

15. Intoxicating Liquor

17 BYELAWS

1. Name and Objects 

 1.1 The name of the club is "Hunts Sailing Club" (hereinafter known as the Club). 

 1.2 The objects of the Club are to promote and facilitate the sport of sailing 

 1.3  The Club will support an inclusive membership and will not discriminate on the basis of any member with Protected Characteristics (Equality Act 2010). 

 2. Interpretation 

 2.1 Any word or phrase in these Rules or the Club's Byelaws using or implying either male or female gender shall also imply any or no gender. 

 3 Categories of Membership 

 3.1 Individual Members A person who shall be entitled to the singular use of the Club and have one vote at any General Meeting.  

 3.2 Family Membership - applying to one adult sailing member and spouse/partner.  This category shall also include as Cadet Members any descendants and dependants of the Family Member(s) under the age of 18 years on 1st September of the membership year. 

 3.3 Non-Sailing Membership, applying to one adult who shall enjoy the use of the clubhouse and environs but cannot vote nor use any craft on the lake.   Non-Sailing Members shall not exceed 20% of the number of members of the Club.  

 3.4 Junior Membership with Non -sailing member Parent/Guardian. This subscription is for a Junior who is 16 years or younger.  Junior Members shall enjoy the use of all the facilities of the Club (subject to licensing laws). They are not entitled to vote. 

 3.5 Student Membership, applying to an individual who is in continuing full time education, aged between 16 -23 years on 1st September of the membership year.  Student Members shall enjoy the use of all the facilities of the Club but shall not be entitled to vote until aged 18yrs. 

 3.6 Block Membership: applying to members of another sailing club or similar organisation which, with the approval of the Committee, can become affiliated to the Club.  Conditions of the membership to be agreed by the committee.  One nominated representative may vote in any General Meeting, unless any member is also a Individual Member in which case they also have one vote each. 

 3.7 Honorary Life Membership, applying to an individual who has been elected by the Club in General Meeting in accordance with these Rules.  Honorary Life Members shall enjoy the use of all the facilities of the club and shall be entitled to vote. 

 3.8 Temporary Membership, applying to an individual for a period of not more than 30 days in any one year.  The Temporary Member must already be a member of an RYA affiliated club or a member of the RYA. They shall not qualify for any prizes in Club events, shall not be entitled to vote 

 3.9 Winter Sailing Membership is for one adult or junior  between 1st November and 31st March, who must be a member of an affiliated club or the RYA. They cannot vote and do not need to carry out Club duties but should volunteer for race duties if participating.  Junior winter membership pay the standard winter rate. 

 3.10 Winter Non-Sailing Membership, applying to one adult between 1st November and 31st March non sailing partner of Winter Sailing Member. They shall not be entitled to vote.  

 3.11 Radio-Controlled Yacht Associate Membership, applying to one individual who shall only sail radio-controlled yachts, they are not entitled to vote. The number of Radio-Controlled Yacht Associate Members shall not exceed 20% of number of individual members of the club.. 

 4. Membership Applications, Renewal and Fees   

 4.1 Members are required to renew their membership annually using the web form available on the Clubs web site.  This automatically generates an invoice for the online payments of fees.    

 4.2 Membership shall be considered lapsed if fees remain unpaid by the last day of March and an application to rejoin must be made under Rule 4. Furthermore, all rights or privileges of membership cease until the fees for that year and all arrears (if any) have been paid. 

 4.3 The Club requires at least two days between a new member applying for membership and them being granted membership.  

 4.4 The written information provided by Members for both new or renewal of memberships on their application forms shall be regarded, for the purposes of the Data Protection Act 2018, as Personal Data.  Unless a Member or candidate objects in writing to the Data Protection Manager, their Personal Data may be stored in a computer and used solely for the purposes of the Club as described in the data privacy policy. Individuals data will be deleted if they are no longer a Member.  

 4.5 The Club in Annual General Meeting may elect Honorary Life Members on the recommendation of the Committee all other memberships may be elected at any meeting of the Committee by a simple majority of those present.  

 4.6 The current fees and subscriptions shall be displayed prominently in the clubhouse.  Any changes to the rates shall become effective as from 1st March following the AGM except in the case of block memberships, which will be on application to the club and determined by the committee.  

4.7 Where the fees or subscription of an existing Member remain unpaid by the last day of March, membership shall be considered lapsed and an application to rejoin must be made under Rule 4 . Furthermore, all rights or privileges of membership cease until his subscription for that year and all arrears (if any) have been paid. A person renewing a lapsed membership shall not by entitled to a pro rate discount unless membership has been lapsed for a period of at least five years 

 5. Obligations of Membership 

 5.1 On joining the Club, every Member undertakes to comply with the Rules and Byelaws of the Club. 

 5.2 Any member aged 16 years or over undertakes to participate in the activity of the club by carrying out one of the following duties e.g.  Race Officer Assistant Race Officer  Safety Boat Helm Assistant Safety Boat  Providing galley service Controlling weed growth  Outside of Twilight and Winter racing, (volunteer series) Individual and Student members shall carry out at least one duty per year.  Family Membership shall carry out at least two duties per year and Social, Block, Junior, Temp, RCY association, Honorary, Winter and Winter Non-Sailing are not obliged to carry out any duties as above but can do so if they so wish. 

 5.3 Members are obliged to look after Club assets.  Any Member shall not knowingly remove, injure, damage or destroy any property of the Club and shall make restitution for the same if called upon to do so by the Honorary Secretary on the instructions of the Committee. 

 5.4 Unless taking part in an organised training course, Junior Members aged under 16 must not be on club premises unless under the supervision of a parent or nominated responsible adult who is also a Family, Individual or Non-Sailing Member of the Club. If the responsible adult is not the parent or guardian of the junior member (and they are not taking part in organised training) then their name, along with the name of the junior member for whom they are responsible, should recorded in the club daybook which can be found on the bar 

 6. Berths 

 6.1 No craft shall be kept on the club's premises unless a berth fee has been paid.  Subject to availability, additional berths may be granted after payment of an additional berth fee.  The berth fee maybe subject to a pro-rata reduction as agreed by the committee and is non-refundable.  All berths shall be maintained and craft safely stored as outlined in rule 6.5 and bylaws B40-44. 

 6.2 When changing boats, to allow for delay between acquisition and disposal, a period of up to one month will be permitted before an additional berth fee becomes payable.  

 6.3 Subject to availability certain Membership categories are entitled to request a berth, once paid the current berth fee, these being: Individual Member Family Members Junior Members ( Any craft only used for Junior use maybe be eligible for a reduced berth fee) Student Members  Winter Member Honorary Members  Those that are not entitled to request a berth are:  Non-sailing Members Temporary Members Winter Non-Sailing Members RCYA Members Non-members  Lapsed membership   And those membership categories that need Committee approval are: Block Members 

 6.4 A club member may transfer a berth to another member, subject to prior approval by the committee. 

 6.5 Craft owners must keep their property in such a state of repair that they will not be a discredit to the Club, as to which the decision of the Committee shall be final.  Upon failure to comply with the provisions of this Rule, a Notice shall be given to the offending Member requiring them to remove his craft or property from the Club premises.  

 7.  Abandoned Boats, Trailers and other Property  

 7.1 The Committee can instigate the following process if the Notice in 6.5 is ignored or at any time, any fees payable to the club by any member or former member shall be three months or more in arrears and a craft the property of the member or former member remains upon the club premises. 1. Power to disassemble, remove, sell or dispose of boats and/or trailers and/or other property    In the case of an abandoned or unauthorised boat and/or trailer and/or other property (as defined below) the Committee may:-    (a) disassemble and/or move the boat and/or trailer and/or other property to any part of the club premises without being liable for any loss or damage to the boat and/or trailer and/or other property howsoever caused;   (b) upon giving 1 months notice require the member or former member to collect the boat and/or trailer and/or other property;  (c) upon giving three months notice in writing by registered post to the member or former member at his/her last known address shown in the register of members sell the boat and/or trailer and/or other property and deduct any monies due to the Club (whether arrears of subscription or facility fees or dinghy park fees or otherwise);   (d) if the boat and/or trailer and/or other property is unsaleable (in the reasonable opinion of the Committee), after giving notice in writing as aforesaid, dispose of the boat and/or trailer in any manner the Committee may think fit and deem the cost of doing and any arrears as aforesaid to be a debt owing to the club by the member or former member.   (e) the club reserves the right to charge storage for the boat and/or trailer and/or other property until such time as the owner collects the boat and/or trailer and/or other property or until notice has been served under clause (b) and (c) above.    (f) the right of disassembly/moving/disposal of the boat and/or trailer and/or other property extends beyond the end of the membership contract PROVIDED THAT in each case that proper evidence is available to show that all reasonable steps have been taken by the Committee to trace a member or former member and that when and if the boat and/or trailer and/or other property is sold the proceeds of sale (where these exceed the amount of any indebtedness by the member or former member to the club) shall be placed in a bank deposit account and retained against the eventuality of a claim by the owner (whether he be the said member or former member) for a period of six years. The Committee shall be entitled to treat any of the following as an abandoned or unauthorised boat and/or trailer and/or other property:   (a) a boat and/or trailer and/or other property located in the dinghy park and not displaying a current dinghy park tag;   (b) a boat and/or trailer and/or other property located otherwise than in its properly allocated space;   (c) a boat and/or trailer and/or other property that remains in the dinghy park for more than one month after any date advised by the Committee by which boats and/or trailers and/or other property must be removed to allow for maintenance works of the dinghy park or the end of the season date (where applicable);  d) a boat and/or trailer and/or other property which is the property of a member or former member which remains on club premises after any fees payable to the club by any member or former member (whether by way of arrears of subscription or facilities fees, dinghy park fees or otherwise) are more than one month in arrears;  (e) a boat and/or trailer and/or other property which is the property of a member or former member which overstays by more than a month following the termination of the storage agreement;   (f) a boat and/or trailer and/or other property which is the property of a former member which overstays by more than a month following the termination of their membership.   2. Lien on boats and/or trailers and/or other property   In addition to the powers set out above to disassemble, move, sell or dispose of boats and/or trailers and/or other property the club shall have a lien over members' or former members' boats and/or trailers and/or other property parked on the club's premises in respect of all monies due to the club, whether in respect of arrears of facilities fees or subscriptions or otherwise and shall be entitled to retain possession of the boat and/or trailer and/or other property until such time as all monies due to the club have been paid in Individual 

 8. Guests 

 8.1 Members may have a maximum of three guests at any one time. Guests can only visit a maximum of six times per year. They must always sign the visitors' book. 

 8.2 The Member introducing a guest or guests shall pay an access fee as displayed in clubhouse. They shall be responsible for his guest(s) strictly observing the Rules and Byelaws of the Club and shall accompany his guest(s) at all times whilst on Club premises. 

 8.3 No guest shall be permitted to purchase intoxicating liquor in the Club. 

 8.4 No person who has been expelled from the Club under Rule 14.6 or is for the time being suspended under Rule 4.5 or whose application for membership has been rejected shall be introduced into the Club as a guest. 

 8.5 Members, their guests and visitors are bound by the following Rule which shall be exhibited in a prominent place within the Club premises Members of the Club and their guests and visitors may use the Club premises and other facilities of the Club, entirely at their own risk and by implication accept: the Club is not liable for any damage to or loss of property belonging to Members, their guests or visitors to the Club. the Club is not liable for personal injury arising out of the use of the Club premises, and any other facilities of the Club sustained by Members, guests or visitors, whether or not such damage or injury could have been attributed to or was occasioned by the neglect, default or negligence of any of them, the Officers, Committee or servants of the Club. 

 9. Officers 

 9.1 Officers of the Club shall be Individual or Family Members and shall consist of: Commodore,  Vice-Commodore,  Rear Commodore,  Honorary Secretary,  Honorary Treasurer,  Honorary Membership Secretary, and  Honorary Sailing Secretary They shall be elected at the AGM and hold office until the end of the next AGM. Officers can be re-elected, up to a maximum of seven times in any one position.   The Commodore, Vice-Commodore and Rear Commodore shall hold their post for a maximum of three consecutive years. 

 9.2 The closing date to notify the Hon Secretary names of both the proposed Officer candidate (other than the retiring officers) and their proposer is the 1st October prior to the AGM. 

 9.3 The Honorary Secretary shall :- 9.3(a) keep custody of all legal documents of the Club or arrange for their safe keeping 9.3(b) conduct all legal correspondence of the Club 9.3(c) prepare and keep minutes of all meetings of the Club and the Committee which shall be confirmed and signed by the chairman on the agreement of the Club or Committee at the next meeting thereof 9.3(d) administer such insurance policy or policies as may be needed fully to protect the interests of the Club, its Officers and Members 9.3(e) advise the Club and/or the Committee, or obtain advice from a qualified source, on matters of current law to ensure that the Club's affairs are managed lawfully. 

 9.4 The Honorary Treasurer shall :- 9.4(a) cause such books of account to be kept as are necessary to give a true and fair view of the finances of the Club at all times 9.4(b) cause all returns as may be required by law in relation to such accounts to be rendered at the due time 9.4(c) prepare a Balance Sheet and Income and Expenditure Account for each year ended 30th September and cause them to be independently audited or verified and shall thereafter cause them to be exhibited in the Club premises at least fourteen days before the date of the AGM. 

 9.5 A suitably qualified Member of the Club shall be appointed or re-appointed as Honorary Auditor at each AGM for the following year, or the AGM or the Committee may appoint an accountant or firm of accountants to audit or verify the Club's accounts. 

 9.6 If the Honorary Auditor or the person or firm appointed to audit or verify the accounts is unable or unwilling to act, the Committee shall appoint a substitute to hold office until the conclusion of the next AGM. 

 9.7 The Honorary Membership Secretary shall :- 9.7(a) keep records of all Members of the Club, their addresses, classes of membership and classes of craft sailed at the Club, and all other details of Members as may be required by the Committee from time to time 9.7(b) issue, receive and process all applications for membership and/or renewal, including collection of fees, subscriptions and other monies related to all classes of membership, and to account to the Honorary Treasurer for all such sums 9.7(c) maintain the visitors' book and collect any fees due from guests 9.7(d) ensure the distribution, to all Members, of the Rules, Byelaws and Sailing Programme of the Club and any other information which the Committee may decide from time to time. 

10 Committee 

10.1 The Committee shall consist of the Officers (ex officio) and not more than seven Members of the Club elected in General Meeting to hold office until the conclusion of the next AGM.  Not more than one Non-Sailing Member may be elected as part of the seven.. In order to comply with the Licensing Act 2003 section 64(2)b, Committee members shall be over 18 years old. 

10.2 Candidates for election to the Committee shall be the retiring Committee members volunteering for re-election and other Members whose proposed nominations duly seconded, whose names having been sent to the Honorary Secretary on or before 1st October.  A Member may not serve for more than seven consecutive years as a Committee Member (not being an Officer of the Club). 

10.3 If a casual vacancy occurs by death or resignation the Committee may co-opt a Member to fill the vacancy until the conclusion of the next AGM. 

10.4 If the number of candidates duly proposed and seconded exceeds the number of vacancies to be filled, the election shall be by ballot among the Members present at the AGM and entitled to vote and shall be determined by simple majority, the Commodore shall have the casting vote in case of deadlock 

10.5 The Committee shall manage the affairs of the Club according to the Rules and shall apply the funds of the Club solely to the objects of the Club or for a benevolent or charitable purpose nominated by the Club in General Meeting. 

10.7 The Committee, or any person or sub committee delegated by the Committee to act as agent for the Club or its Members shall enter into contracts only so far as expressly authorised, or authorised by implication, by the Committee.  No one shall, without the express authority of the membership in General Meeting, pledge the credit of the membership other than as expressly authorised in Rule 14.1 

10.8 In pursuance of the authority vested in the Committee by the Members of the Club, members of the Committee are entitled to be indemnified by the Members of the Club against any liabilities properly incurred by them or any one of them on behalf of the Club wherever the contract is of a duly authorised nature and entered into on behalf of the Club. 

10.9 The limit of any Member's indemnity shall be a sum equal to one year's subscription at the then current rate of the Full Member's category of membership unless a higher figure has been fixed by a General Meeting of the Club. 

10.10 Committee members shall volunteer for the Duty Officer role to fairly share a similar number of duties each. Failure to volunteer for duty officer duties or not carry out their designated role as laid out in the Operations Manual or as per handed over from previous volunteer render a member liable for expulsion from the committee.  The committee shall give them an opportunity of defending themselves or they can resign from the committee.  The vote on a resolution for expulsion shall be by simple vote of not less than three fourths of the members of the Committee present vote in favour of the resolution. 

11. Meetings of the Committee 

11.1 The Committee shall meet at least every two months, making such arrangements as to the conduct, place of assembly and holding of such meetings as it may wish.  The Commodore or in his absence a chairman elected by those present shall preside. 

11.2 60% of committee members shall form a quorum at a meeting of the Committee. 

11.3 Motions which are put to the vote in Committee shall, except where otherwise prescribed in these Rules, be determined by a simple majority.  In the case of an equality of votes, the chairman shall have a second or casting vote.

12. Sub-Committees 

12.1 The Committee may from time to time establish one or more sub-committees with specific terms of reference according to the needs of the Club.  The Committee may define the membership of such sub-committee(s) and may modify or disband such sub-committee(s) or change its terms of reference.  Any sub-committee so established shall report its actions to the Committee as and when required and shall recommend to the Committee any changes beyond its terms of reference, including any change to those terms of reference or to its own membership.  The Committee may approve or reject any such recommendation or may ask the sub-committee to reconsider any decision if it is considered not in the best interests of the Club as a whole. 

12.2 There shall also be three permanently established sub-committees for the regular administration of the Club, as follows:- 12.2.1 Sailing sub-Committee - this shall consist of the Honorary Sailing Secretary (as chairman) and the Fleet Captain from each recognized fleet sailing at the Club, including the Handicap fleet plus the Junior Leader and Training Centre Representative.    The Sailing Sub-Committee's terms of reference shall include all matters relating to the organisation and conduct of racing, safety boat services and any other uses of the water agreed by the Committee, including the sailing programme and the management of Open Meetings and special sailing events. 12.2.2 House Sub-Committee - this shall consist of the Vice Commodore or the Rear Commodore as chairman, the Hon. Treasurer, the Social Secretary, the Bar Steward and the Chairman of the Galley Sub-Committee. The House Sub-Committee's terms of reference shall be to manage and provide all social and catering requirements of the Club as agreed by the Committee and subject to our licencing limitations . 12.2.3 Facilities Sub-Committee - this shall consist of the vice-commodore or the rear commodore as chair, as well as representation from Bosun, dinghy park manager, training, Wednesday club and others with relevant experience. Facilities Sub-Committees terms of reference shall be to manage the buildings fabric and grounds maintenance to ensure compliance with all the relevant legislation, industry best practice and develop and manage any improvement works as agreed with the main committee. 

12.3 The above sub-committees may co-opt one or more additional members if required, with the agreement of the Committee. 

13. General Meetings & Annual General Meeting  

13.1 The Committee on giving 14 days notice may call a General Meeting of the Club chaired by the Commodore or other Officer for any specified business the nature of which shall be specified in the notice convening the meeting. The Committee shall similarly call a meeting at the written request of 12 members, addressed to the Honorary Secretary. 

13.2 At every General Meeting of the Club, the Commodore or, in his absence, another Officer shall be elected as chairman by those present and shall preside. Annual General Meetings. 

13.3 An Annual General Meeting shall be held at some place in the county of Cambridgeshire to be named on some day in the month of November to be fixed by the Commodore.  The Honorary Secretary shall at least 14 days clear before the date of such meeting post in the clubhouse, and on the Club website notice thereof and of the business to be brought forward thereat. 

13.4 No business (except the passing of the accounts and the election of Officers, Committee and Honorary Auditor and any business that the Committee may order to be inserted in the notice convening the meeting) shall be discussed at such meeting unless notice thereof be given to the Honorary Secretary before 1st October prior to such meeting. Special General Meetings. 

13.5 Twenty five Members, including at least one Officer of the Club, present and entitled to vote shall form a quorum of the Club for a Special General Meeting. 

13.6 The discussion at such meeting shall be confined to the business stated in the notice sent to Members on the instructions of the Committee. 

13.7 On any resolution properly put to a Meeting of the Club relating to the creation, repeal or amendment of any Rule or Byelaw of the Club, such Rule or Byelaw shall not be created, repealed or amended except by a majority vote of at least two-thirds of those present and entitled to vote. 

13.8 In the case of an equality of votes, the chairman shall have a second or casting vote. 

14. General 

14.1 The Committee is authorised to borrow up to a maximum of £100,000 when required. 

14.2 The Club is a Community Amateur Sports Club (CASC) and as such will abide with the latest terms & conditions of the scheme as set by HMRC.  

14.3 The Club flag is triangular, divided horizontally, upper half red and lower half green. Superimposed centrally is a white stag's head facing the fly . The flag should not be on a pole. 

14.4 Fleet Captains shall be selected by their class members and will form a Sailing Committee to be chaired by the Honorary Sailing Secretary. 14.5 A member of the Committee who has received the authority of two other members of the Committee may temporarily suspend the entitlement of any person to use the Club facilities and require that person to leave the Club premises forthwith. Any temporary suspension shall last until the next meeting of the Committee in the normal course of business. The Committee may renew the suspension for a further period of one month to enable action to be considered under Rule 14.6 

14.6 If a member refuses to abide by the rules or byelaws of the Club or any exhibits any conduct which in the opinion of the Committee is either unworthy of a Member or otherwise injurious to the interests of the club they shall be liable to expulsion from the Club by the Committee.  Before expelling a Member, the Committee shall call upon them for an explanation of his conduct and shall give them an opportunity of defending themself or resigning his membership.  The vote on a resolution for expulsion shall be by ballot and the resolution shall only be carried if not less than three fourths of the members of the Committee present vote in favour of the resolution 

14.7 The property of the Club shall be vested in four Trustees who shall be appointed by the Committee.  The property of the Club shall be vested in them to be dealt with by them as the Committee may from time to time direct by resolution (of which an entry in the minute books shall be conclusive evidence).  The Trustees shall be indemnified against all risk and expense out of the Club property.  The Trustees shall hold office until death or resignation or until removal from office by the Committee.  If a new Trustee or Trustees needs to be appointed, the Committee shall nominate the person or persons to be appointed.  For the purpose of giving effect to such nomination the Honorary Secretary in office for the time being is hereby nominated as the person to appoint new Trustees of the Club within the meaning of Section 36 of the Trustees Act 1925 and he shall by deed duly appoint the person or persons so nominated by the Committee. 

14.8 If, upon the winding up or dissolution of the Club, there remains after the satisfaction of all its debts and liabilities any property whatsoever, the same shall not be paid to or distributed amongst the Members of the Club.  The assets remaining after discharging the debts of the estate will be given to or transferred to another registered Community Amateur Sports Club, a registered charity or the sports governing body for use by them in community related sport, to be determined by the Members of the Club by Resolution passed at a General Meeting at or before the time of dissolution. 

15. Intoxicating Liquor 

15.1 The purchase of intoxicating liquor for supply by the Club shall be in the absolute discretion of the Committee which shall secure the due observance of the provisions of the Licensing Act 2003 and all acts relating thereto and of any conditions attached to any licence held by or on behalf of the Club or to any registration certificate granted in respect of the Club premises. 

15.2 The supply of intoxicating liquor in the Club premises will be permitted at times in accordance with Part 4 of the Licensing Act 2003. 

15.3 No intoxicating liquor shall be supplied to Members or any other persons on the Club premises otherwise than by or on behalf of the Club. 15.4 No intoxicating liquor shall be supplied to any person under the age of eighteen years. 

15.5 No person shall be paid at the expense of the Club any commission, percentage or similar payment on or with reference to the purchase of intoxicating liquor by the Club; nor shall any person directly or indirectly derive any pecuniary benefit from the supply of intoxicating liquor by or on behalf of the Club to Members, visitors or guests apart from any benefit accruing to the Club as a whole. 

15.6 Intoxicating liquor may be sold or supplied for consumption on the premises of the Club to members aged eighteen or over of any organisation visiting the Club on the occasion of any sporting, recreational or social activity organised by the Club in conjunction with the other organisation.  Intoxicating liquor may be sold to Members of the Club aged over eighteen years for consumption on or off the premises. 

15.7 The Club may on not more than six occasions in any one calendar year hold special functions at the Club premises for the purpose of raising funds for the benefit of the Club, whereby members of the public may, by invitation, be admitted to the Club, provided that the number of persons does not become significant in proportion to the total membership present.  On such occasions all persons admitted may be granted the same facilities of the Club as those granted to Members.  Such events shall be organised by or on behalf of the Club.     

 BYELAWS  

Policies 

B.1 In order to comply with the Data Protection Act 2018, members must comply with the data privacy policy published on the Club website. 

B.2 Members must comply with the requirements of and follow the recommendations of the Health and Safety Manual published on the Club website. 

B.3 Members must comply with the requirements of and follow the recommendations of the Financial Policy published on the Club website. 

Sailing 

B.4 Every craft used or stored at the Club shall be insured by the owner against third party liability to a minimum sum of £2,000,000. 

B.5 Craft eligible to race or cruise shall be any of the following classes which have Fleet status: Laser and Solo classes, together with a Handicap class of monohull sailing dinghies, subject (as to class) to the approval of the Committee on the recommendation of the Sailing Committee.Sailboards are also eligible to cruise or race within the Handicap fleet as are Wing and foiling boards. Multi-hulls are not permitted. 

B.6 Canoes (Canadian and kayaks), stand-up paddleboards (SUPs),  Wing and foiling boards and radio controlled model yachts are eligible to cruise or to race separately from dinghy sailing races. Further to Rule 9.7, the Honorary Membership Secretary shall keep records of classes and identification of craft kept or used at the Club by all Members.      

B.7 The Sailing Committee may recommend to the Committee the acceptance, review or cancellation of Fleet status of any class of craft for the purposes of racing.  Fleet status shall entitle sailors in that fleet to separate races when appropriate, at the discretion of the RO or DO. The acceptance by the Committee of any class for racing shall remain in force until the next AGM, when it may be confirmed or rejected by the Meeting in accordance with the Rules of the Club. 

B.8 Radio Yacht (RY) organised activities to take place on Saturday mornings and Wednesday afternoons.  Additional RY organised activity requires Committee approval.  The designated RYs sailing area shall be the small lagoon.  RYs use of the main lake, when HSC activities are taking place, is by permission from the SI or DO when present.  The main activities of HSC club (dinghy racing, opens, training etc) will take precedence over any of the RY activities.   

B.9 HRYC will also be allowed to keep up to 10 racing buoys in the small lagoon not more than 50m from the shore. These marks must be moved for weed control activity or if requested by the SI or DO. 

Club Boats 

B.10 Club boats are available for hire to members only when  and only when there is a Duty Officer, deputy authorised by the committee or senior instructor on site and with their permission. They may be used by the hirers guest(s).  At the discretion of the Committee, Club boats may be used for open days and taster sessions. 

B.11 Hire costs are displayed in the clubhouse; the appropriate fee must be paid by card to the galley before sailing.  The hirer must complete a record sheet with name, date, boat hired, period of hire and fee deposited.  To confirm the hire the duty officer, another committee member or the instructor in charge must be aware of it and indicate by countersigning the hire form.  Hirers must be 18 years of age or over. 

B.12 Masthead floats are to be used on all club boats. 

B.13 Club boats, sails and equipment are not to be used when the average wind exceeds 20 knots . 

B.14 Hirers are required to report all damage to club boats, either to a Committee member or in the book in the Club Boat Store.   Hirers may, at the sole discretion of the club Committee, be held responsible for the first £100 of damage incurred as per the insurance excess.  Members  are advised to check boats before sailing and record any damage in the Club Boat Book as above. 

B.15 Craft not racing should keep clear of craft racing. 

B.16 All craft shall keep within the boundaries of the sailing lake despite any breaches in the lake bank. The adjoining lake is private property. 

Safety 

B.17 All activity at the club site, either on land or afloat, shall comply with the Health and Safety Policy. 

B.18 Adequate (50Nm minimum) personal buoyancy shall always be worn on the water, or working along the shoreline by all persons except sailboarders using an appropriate harness, being sufficiently experienced and competent to use such harnesses in lieu of personal buoyancy.

B.19 When sailing between 1st December and 31st March, wetsuits, dry suits or specifically designed layered sailing clothing systems must be worn while on the water; they are strongly recommended during November and April. This requirement also applies to those on safety duty who may be required to enter the water. 

B.20 Swimming or bathing as a recreational activity or exercise is not permitted. However, those participating in an organised training activity might, at the discretion of the Senior Instructor, enter the water as part of a game or confidence building activity. They shall only do so when wearing a buoyancy aid and under the close control of an instructor.  

B.21 Parents and guardians are responsible for the safety of their children under the age of 16 while on the Club premises and must supervise them adequately.  It is recommended that children under the age of 8 years and older children who are not competent swimmers wear buoyancy aids at all times whilst outside the clubhouse. 

B.22 Children under 16 are only allowed in the galley if they are assisting in galley duties and are under the supervision of a parent or carer in the galley. 

B.23 Children under 14 are not allowed in any power boat unless they are being rescued or as part of an organised training activity.  Children under 16 shall not carry out safety or assistant safety duties. 

B.24 Any advertised activity organised by the Club shall be supervised by a named committee member or for training a named RYA qualified instructor or coach.  Operation of club power boats falls under this overall supervision.

B.25 Any activity organised by a Group Member shall be supervised by a named group leader with a minimum of RYA powerboat level 2 qualification or the club course.  Operation of club power boats falls under this overall supervision. 

B.26 During any advertised waterborne activity, a safety boat shall be afloat and fully equipped.  Both safety boat crew shall remain in or near the safety boat and shall keep lookout covering the whole lake.  Safety cover shall not be withdrawn without adequate warning to all participants. 

B.27 The duty crew of each safety boat shall comprise two people, both physically fit and able to carry out such duties and one of whom must be suitably dressed to enter the water.  On light wind days, the Safety Boat Assistant may also act as assistant to the Race Officer.  In the event of a rescue, the former duty takes precedence.

B.28 Anyone driving any powered craft at the Club, including the launch, must either have RYA powerboat level 2, have the Hunts SC powerboat acquaint qualification or be undergoing training and accompanied by a powerboat instructor. 

B.29 The helm of a power boat must wear an engine safety lanyard (kill cord) and shall ensure that the kill cord is attached round their upper leg and the boats safety switch.  It shall not foul the steering or gear controls.

B.30 If either the Race Officer or the Duty Officer decides that a race cannot safely be started or continued, it must be postponed or abandoned.  In reaching such a decision, both the weather conditions and the adequacy of safety boat cover shall be considered. 

B.31 If the Duty Officer, Race Officer, Safety Boat Helm, instructor in charge or, in the case of a multi-handed craft, any crew member, expresses doubt that the level of safety cover and the participants capability would enable safe participation under the prevailing weather conditions, all affected craft must go ashore and remain ashore.

 B.32 When a work boat is used for weed countermeasures, the helm must have been suitably trained. 

B.33 When a work boat is used for weed cutting operations, all other craft must keep well clear and come no closer than 50m.  In particular, helms must be aware of the danger of passing within 50m astern of a work boat when towing .  During weed  operations, other helms shall obey any instructions from the helm or crew of the work boat.

B.34 The tractor may only be operated by members over 17 years old who have a full, valid, UK driving licence or members over 16 years old who have a full, valid, tractor licence.  In either case the operator must have been trained in the operation of the particular tractor by a person authorised by the committee. 

B.35 After launching, sailors shall ensure that their trolleys are pulled out of the water, are left clear of the waters edge and not left on the slipway. 

B.36 The launch jetty and pontoons are out of bounds to all except for persons authorised for purposes including but not limited to safety cover, race management, training and maintenance. 

B.37 Whilst on the Club premises, members shall take responsibility for their own safety and that of their guests and shall accept that they use the facilities entirely at their own risk.  Before inviting any guests onto the Club premises members shall draw their attention to these byelaws.  

Berths 

B.38 Members shall ensure that their boats kept in the boat park are securely tied down to the ground.  Members shall provide their own ground tackle or buy from the boat park manager.  Stakes must be flush with ground level to avoid damaging the grass mowers. 

B.39 Where racks are provided for the storage of sailboards or smaller boats, members allocated spaces on them shall keep their craft racked accordingly and firmly secured. 

B.40 Members are responsible for keeping their berths in good order and cutting the grass/vegetation at reasonable intervals.  B.41 Boat trailers can be stored at the Club in the designated trailer park or berth, the latter only if does not impact on any neighbouring berths.  Trailers should not be left in the car park .  Trailers shall be marked using the tag provided. 

B.42 A trolley tag, supplied by the club should be affixed to ever craft or its trolley kept on the Club premises, in positions that can be easily seen.  

Hygiene And General 

B.43 Any person in the Club Galley shall observe the current requirements of the Food Hygiene Regulations at all times. 

B.44 No person wearing wet or muddy clothes shall enter the galley. 

B.45 No person wearing wet or muddy clothes shall enter the carpeted area of the clubhouse. 

B.46 Other that at Club social events, the playing of audio equipment on Club premises is only permitted when headphones are used and the volume is non-intrusive to other members. 

B.47 Camping or the parking of caravans or camper vans on Club premises overnight or the use of Club premises for sleeping overnight is not permitted unless prior permission has been given by the Committee. 

B.48 Dogs must be on a lead and kept under control at all times and are not allowed in the clubhouse under any circumstances, except guide and assistance dogs.  Under no circumstances are dogs allowed in the sailing lake. Dog owners must pick up their dogs waste and remove from site 

B.49 Fishing from the Club premises is not permitted. 

B.50 Smoking or vaping is only permitted in the Club car park. 

B.51 Motor vehicles shall not be driven into the boat park except for the loading, unloading of goods, transporting heavy equipment or carrying out facilities maintenance tasks, in which case they shall be removed as soon as possible.  Members are required to park their cars in the car park.  A clear route through to the clubhouse for emergency vehicles must be maintained at all times. 

B.52 The Committee reserves the right to dispose of unidentified or unclaimed personal property left on Club premises after a reasonable time in whatever manner it considers appropriate. 

B.53 With reference to Rule 5.2, any member wishing to change his duty day may use the duty manager system linked from the club website to exchange the duty with that of another member. 

B.54 No member of the club shall use or permit the use of personal data for any purpose other than official Club business without the permission of the individual concerned. .

Last updated 18:57 on 11 July 2026