Self-help Sailing

At the northern end of Southampton Water, Marchwood Yacht Club has the distinction of being based in a former Royal Naval Ordnance Depot.
That provides it with a clubhouse which can accommodate 200 people as well as an extensive boatyard, slipway and pontoon system in the water, with a boat hoist for launching craft in the water or moving from the water to the boatyard which has space for 165 yachts with a maximum length of 40ft.
It prides itself in having a self help style organisation where all members take part in working parties, helping maintain the club and its premises.
While I was there I was able to see it launching a boat into the water.
 
The club itself has been in existence some 53 years, but the Ordnance Depot on the land it occupies was established as long ago as 1815.  The depot had a chequered history but today the Yacht Club which occupies the land boasts an enthusiastic membership of just over 300 and runs active sailing and racing programmes.