Practical Boat Owner — January 2018

CLASS ASSOCIATIONS

and successful National Sonata and

Hunter Impala 28 associations that we set

up in the 1970s.

Association committees run by

hard-working enthusiasts controlled the

class rules, racing events and social

calendars. And all this activity never failed

to attract the attention of other sailors with

the result that ever more were lured into

buying the same boat and joining in the

fun. These well-run associations provided

powerful promotion that led to ever-

growing classes – classes that remain

strong and active to this day.

We also learnt how an association

benefits cruising sailors. Ann Arscott – a

leading light at the start of the Hunter

Owners’ Association – told me: ‘I always

felt that one of the unquantifiable spinoffs

was the friendships that developed and,

certainly in the Hunter Association, the

mutual support for new and inexperienced

yachtsmen, typified by the group trips

across the Channel. I suspect most of the

cruising associations are like this.

‘I have recently been involved with the

J70 and J80 championships at my club

and these are very different and very

competitive, but still involve a lot of

camaraderie. I guess the Hunter 707 was

the same.’ And of course she is right.

Graham Hamilton currently carries the

Hunter Association ‘baton’ and tells me

the owners of 396 boats are members,

adding: ‘The HA is always striving to

increase numbers and drive up the

quantity – and hopefully quality – of the

information we can make available to our

members.

‘The HA aims to provide an easy-to-use

and up-to-date website that allows

members to access information and

communicate with each other. The most

important part is the boats and how to

maintain them. There are 26 types with an

average age of 20+ years.’

The Hunter Association also produces

the twice yearly Horizons magazine with a

range of articles, both about memorable

cruises and technical matters. Graham

rounds off by saying: ‘Looking further

ahead the main issue facing our members

will be keeping our boats afloat and

working. We need to understand the issues

facing ageing boats and, where possible,

work with suppliers to extend their lives.’

So he and his area committee members

are clearly doing all the right things and –

as with any association – it’s to the benefit

of all that owners become members and

join in.

Moody online and in print

The Moody Owners Association is another

shining example. Neil Eccles – editor of

the slick MOA website – tells me: ‘The

Moody Owners Association started in the

pre-internet days of 1985. Initially it

promoted enjoyment of the boats using a

ABOVE The

Moody Owners’

Association

magazine

Compass includes

cruising stories

to distant ports

like this one

to Rosendal in

Norway

LEFT Hunter Pilot

27s at a Hunter

Association Rally

Owners of Cornish Shrimpers enjoy

Shrimper Week at home and abroad –

this one at St Malo in 2014

➜

Hunter Association

Shrimper Owners Association Moody Owners Association