Frequently Asked Questions

Welcome to the Casual Sailing Frequently Asked Questions about our Grafham Trips. On this page should be all the answers to your questions about casual sailing at Cambridge. If there's anything I've missed, please let me know! The mailing list which is maintained as part of the casual sailing is moderated, but if you have a message which you believe is of interest to most casual sailors, send it to me and I can post it on your behalf.

1. When do you go?
2. How much does it cost?
3. Where do you go from?
4. How do I find out about trips?
5. How do I sign up for trips?
6. What do you sail?
7. Can .... join?
8. How do I join/leave the mailing list?
9. Do you provide...?
10. What do I need to bring with me?
11. Where do you sail?
12. I've never sailed before - can I come?
13. I have my own car, can I drive to Grafham?
14. Where can I get sailing kit from?
15. My question is still not answered - what should I do?

This can vary from term to term, but in the past it has been a Friday afternoon, and when there is enough demand, on a Monday afternoon. The trips normally leave about 1300. We normally get back somewhere between 6 and 7pm. As we loose the light over winter some weekend sailing is also arranged. (top)

You have to be a member of the Cambridge University Cruising Club (CUCrC) to go casual sailing. The current prices are:

• Full year - £35
• Summer Term - £20
• Single Day - £10

If, after a one off taster, you decide you want to join, you need only pay the balance. Membership forms will be available on the minibus so you can turn up and join. It's probably best to bring a cheque book!
The summer term membership also covers the long vacation, so you can use the boats (subject to availability) anytime over the summer. There won't be any trips organised, but it shouldn't be too difficult to find someone with a car!
We also ask for a contribution of £2 for the petrol for the minibus or car each trip you go on. (top)

We normally leave from the car park of Harvey Court. If you don't know where this is, your best bet is to look at the map . (top)

Details of trips will be posted on the main page of this site! Another excellent source of information is the mailing list. To be put on the mailing list please email any, though please not all of the committee. Emails will typically be sent out a couple of times a week reminding people to sign up and giving details of the people going. (top)

Just reply to the e-mail (sender only) which advertised the trip. If for any reason you find you're not going to be able to go, please let the trip organiser know ASAP. If there is not enough interest for a trip, or we cannot find a driver, then the trip will have to be cancelled. Notice of this will go out on the email list as soon as the decision has been made. (top)

The club has 6 Fireflies, a handful of Laser IIs, and 3 catamarans. We have also acquired some singlehanders over summer, details to be posted. For full details look at our fleet. (top)

Anyone who is eligible to join the Cruising Club is welcome as a Casual Sailor. All members of the University are welcome to join. If you have any specific membership questions, please direct them to the President or Vice President. (top)

Please email David Knight to join or leave the mailing list. (top)

The club has some buoyancy aids and wetsuits. If you have your own, please do bring them! (top)

If you have a wetsuit and/or a buoyancy aid you should bring them. You will also need a swimming costume (to wear underneath the wetsuit), a windproof top, a towel and a pair of old shoes or wetsuit boots. Clothing is of course weather dependent, and you are advised to check a weather forecast before you go. It will always be cooler on the water, especially if there is wind, but summer sailing is definitely shorts and t-shirt.(top)

We sail at Grafham Water which is about 30-45 minutes drive outside of Cambridge. Our boats are stored there and they provide a safety boat in case of difficulties. They also provide changing facilities including hot showers. Grafham water is a man-made lake, around 3 miles long and 1.5 miles across, and as such is by far the largest body of water near Cambridge (North Sea excluded).

>The clubhouse at Grafham is purpose built, and designed to look like the bridge of a ship. If you find me a ship that's large, square, and made of concrete, then maybe I will be a believer.(top)

Anyone is welcome to join us sailing. There are normally experienced sailors who are happy to help out people who have never been before or are not confident. However, if the wind is too strong it may not be possible for less experienced people to sail unaccompanied. Many of our members are qualified instructors, and although we are unable to give out certificates, we can teach you to sail. We hope to offer some structured training towards this this year.(top)

You are certainly welcome to bring a car on our trips as this means we can accomodate more people. You are also welcome to go to Grafham without the club - please see the page on running your own trips for details on this. (top)

Despite the enormous number of outdoor shops in Cambridge, there is no Chandlery or sailing shop that we've found. Grafham has its own though, Jonti's Chandlery (top)

If your question has not been answered above, please email a member of the committee. (top)