Sailing Website Links (aka Fiona’s Hot Links!)
At last as promised - an update to this page. Some of you have suggested new sites to add to this page, and other bits of useful information. So please contact me if you find any good ones, or if there are any listed here that have a broken link, or a site which is not very good (poor service, high p&p etc.), do let me know. The list is still slightly Laser biased, again, but now with a twist of GP14! (Thank you Nigel). This list is by no means comprehensive so please let me know of any other good ones. So email me fhl@wfsc.co.uk with your suggestions and comments.
The links are in no particular order of preference, but some of the better ones I have found, and it’s certainly worth checking them regularly. Also most of them will let you place adverts free of charge.
Disclaimer: The Whitefriars Sailing Club & Fiona Chamberlain are not responsible for the content of these external Internet sites, and the display of such does not represent an endorsement of their products or services.
Sites for classified adverts(currently all free to place adverts, except Y&Y).
The first two listed here seem to be the most popular at the moment; I have sold equipment quickly using both:
www.apolloduck.co.uk/ - classified ads, currently one of the best
www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/ - classified ads, currently one of the best
www.ukdinghyracing.com/ - a range of ads sorted into parts, clothing, sails, wants etc
www.dinghyshop.co.uk/ - classified ads
www.laser.org.uk/ look in the Laser Mart section, classified ads for all things Laser 1
www.gbrtopper.co.uk/ - has a for sale section just for Toppers & a discussion forum
www.yachtsandyachting.com/ - the Y & Y classified section, a limited selection of some of the ads which appear in the magazine
www.boatracer.co.uk this a new (ish) website for buying and selling boats - let me know what you think
Other general classified advert sources; if you’re on the look out for equipment, try the Trade-it local free ads paper www.trade-it.co.uk/ you might just find something in there, look at the Leisure section under boats and water sports. Preloved have a boat section www.preloved.co.uk/ tends not to have too much but you can get a weekly digest of adverts sent to you for a particular section. If you’re feeling really adventurous why not have a look at an auction site. Ebay is the only one with just about everything and anything, but there are others available. I've had a go now (and I know some of you have as well now); there's all sorts of boats and bits to bid for and sell some of your surplus kit - WARNING it can get very addictive!
Retail Therapy for sailors!(For those of us who don’t live near to a chandler – and who does these days?)
www.lynallboats.co.uk - Our local retailer, that’s if you live in Cheltenham! Has a good range of kit and a special offers page.
www.wet-windy.co.uk - Bristol. Good range of most things, and advice - has a s/h boats for sale page.
www.roostersailing.com/ - Good site for new kit, and has some s/h kit advertised mostly for Lasers but deals with Toppers, Oppies and Blaze; also has a useful discussion forum and hints & tips section. P&P tends to be less than the main dealers.
http://www.guildfordmarine.co.uk/ - No ads, but join the mailing list and you’ll get to hear when they have a sale on; have had a 15% and 20% off everything recently.
www.sailregister.co.uk - boat covers for most classes, at very reasonable prices, does discounts for multiple orders, so why not get together with several friends, and save some money! Very quick delivery.
www.lasersailing.com/ - Laser manufacturers site for all Laser makes – sign up for Laser Club, does have discounts (not that often, though) for members & it’s free.
www.sailing-solutions.co.uk/ Site run by Dave Cockerill - RYA National Topper Coach. Have Topper spares & parts for sale
www.trident-uk.com/ General chandlery and a for sale/wanted section; also has a monthly competition, haven’t won anything yet!
http://www.purplemarine.com/ – does appear to have frequent special offers. Good prices and super fast delivery.
www.sailboats.co.uk/ Northampton Sailboats - has a loyalty points scheme, so what do points make….? Check out the site for details. Good prices and delivery.
www.speedsails.co.uk/ - Richard Estaugh's company site. Very good mail order. Absolutely anything for any dinghy.
www.pinbax.com/ - Based in Northampton. Massive shop, anything you can imagine and always-in stock. Good advice.
http://www.sail-sport.com/ - no experience of this one, but their prices look competitive, and they don't charge postage. Good web-site with lots of information, based in the South West
Just to add one that isn't on the web
P&I Boats - 01249 652998 in Chippenham, local for some of us, stocks or can get most items, and you save on the p&p.
www.compass24.com/ More for the yachty bits, but has a special offers section which often has clothes included, again sign up for the mailing list and you’ll get to hear of the special offers.
www.mailspeedmarine.com/ - Mail order. Geared more to Yachts and sports boats.
www.wiggle.co.uk - Ostensibly a cycling site it sells a wide range of sailing clothing at good prices. Delivery is free and quick
www.ewetsuits.com/ A good site for wet and dry suits. They have just started doing their own design drysuits at £175.
Class Associations & miscellaneous
http://www.laserinternational.org/ Once again for all things Laser hints & tips includes a page on how and where to put your sail numbers, amongst many others.
www.gp14class.org.uk/ - The GP Association site.
www.poolegp14.co.uk/ - Geared to GPs, 20-30 on the start line, not 2 or 3. Massive new clubhouse right next to the ferry terminal - can't miss it.
www.cvrda.org.uk - the Classic and Vintage Racing Dinghy Association, where you can find news, events, tips and help concerning pre 1965 designed dinghies and cats. Rupert's favourite site!
http://www.tollesburysc.co.uk/Knots/Knots_gallery.htm - animated knots, great site!
Well I hope that little lot keep you in parts/boats, clothing and information for this season, please feedback any comments/criticisms/ideas, I look forward to hearing from you fhl@wfsc.co.uk
Regards
Fiona