Our club has lots of problems rostering people for duties, it was suggesting we get the DUTY MAN web based system and was wondering if anybody else had used it and had any thoughts

Also does anybody know if you have a slippery slipway if there is some non slip matting /solution to this before somebody ends themselves

Lastly where can you get anchors for dinghy parks to tie down boats , guess they need to be sund into the grass

Can't answer first 2 queations, but at Midland we have used old tyres dug into the ground between boats so that there is just enough room to pass a restraining rope through.  I don't think any of our tyres have pulled out - and they're kinder to the feet and ankles than steel pegs!

At Shoreham , where we have a lot more wind than most , a length of chain was laid under the supervision of Ross . I believe the chain was secured by pegs and all boats are tied down by passing rope round the mast and tying both ends to the chain - it has worked well . Ross can also tell you about the surface we have on our slipway which is non-slip provided the sea weed doesn't grow up through the holes - shouldn't be much of a problem inland !!

One can also buy "Grass Anchors" at most Government Surplus places (Agricultural Vehicals at Ensham on Oxfordshire for instance.) which screw into the ground they were  made for holding down planes in the days of Snoopy and the Red Baron. Very efective they are too!

Excellent non slip is coarse chicken wire naile doen woth galvanised staples the RNLI use that on old slipways. Lime is good if it gets too weedy lime every June it only takes as long as it takes to brush it on. Keeps the shite hawks (seagulls.) away too.

ok thanks

I find the chains a bit of a trip hazard and will go for the grass anchors

Not sure how you apply the lime or the netting as we arent tidal and want to put in on about 1 metre into the water

Do you need extra non-slip when Ross pukes on stuff?

depends if there are big bits to get a grip on

You'll just have to get wet to nail it down, and if not tidal presumably fresh water so weed not so much of a problem.

I could ask them to let the dam gates open i suppose

Possibly a job for dam busters

If you have a lot of anchors to put in and the club is flush with cash, you could try using Duckbill anchors which are relatively cheap and simple to install.  

These are used in minor civils applications to anchor things into the ground and are supplied either galvanised or in stainless, so longevity should not be an issue.

See link:

Blimey - the things you  learn when you become a Melin owner!!  Clever system though

thanks will try them

so nobody uses the rostering system then ???

We are looking at the system for our duties at Starcross. Although I think we've already decided not to use dutyman but to build our own. We were also looking for the system to rota our members automatically from the membership system also being built.
We have a couple of suitably qualified people at the club who are building a database to use for the membership, berthing/moorings and duty rotas that will also be web enabled. Looks like they've found some freeware that does the job...
We also have the problem of slippery slips! No chemicals allowed due to the birds and other wildlife!!! Grasscrete is the answer apparently. Expensive but allows the mud worms to live in peace (apart from the birds of course!)
As for dinghy park anchors... We use long (15-18in) angle iron spikes with a ring in the top hammered in at an angle. Seems to work OK.

I found dutyman thru an article in Dinghy Mag - saying that Burghfield are using it.

It certianly beats reinventing the wheel - but would be interested in Starcross's solution.

I tried the dutyman demo and it seemed to work quite well (well enough anyway)

I think its worth a shot and from what I remember it's pretty reasonable too.

where did you get the spikes and grasscrete  from

can the grasscrete be applied to an area  partially underwater

I think "Grass Crete" is a system; that is to say it's concrete blocks that when laid allows grass to grow in its crannies and joints! So if you don't mind getting wet you could in theory lay it anywhere if its the stuffI'm thinking of it don't arf urt when you fall over on it, ones dynamic balance having been temporarily disturbed for whatever reason. It probably needs a base to lay on though no doubt Charlie Dymock and her mates could wack it down in a trice! AND then come back to doit properly later!

The duties person brings the blank roster for the year to the AGM and everyone signs up for their chosen days. Anyone not there gets dumped in the remaining available slots and has the responsibility of sorting out a replacement if they can't make it.
Great way of getting everyone to the AGM!!

The corkscrew type dog anchors you buy from caravan shops are great for tying boats down - screw them into the grass for the season and remove them at the end when the boat is moved or you change pitch.

thanks for all your suggestions, will investigate

one last

can anybody recomend trhe best place to learn how to do the 3 advanced rya training modules   spinnaker, starting to race and performance sailing

Try Jim Grant at Upper Thames. I'll get his number tonight and let you have it.

Chris

excellent thanks

I hope Martin won't be too offended with his Christmas present!

As Mr Geek says Grasscrete is a system. Not sure of the techie side of things as it's a bit out of my area.

Spikes are purchased from local blacksmith who put the metal ring into the hole at the top. Bought a dozen at a time

off to B @ Q today will report back

Colin,
As promised, here is Jim Grant's phone number which is 01923 461834.He is the Training Principal at Upper Thames and should be able to help you in the right direction.

Chris

excellento

Its amazing i never realised you have to be assesed for these courses by a coach and apparently there is just a handfull in UK