Hi all I'm looking for some advise from fellow Perthians.

My partner and I are looking at buying a flying fifteen and I was wondering if there were any good boat ramps to launch the boat from.

We aren't interested in joining a yacht club because we don't really care all the much about all the other stuff at the club like the racing. But if they are any clubs with a simple and easy membership that just allows the use of the ramp then we would consider it.

Thanks

Matilda Bay and JH Abrahams reserve are a couple I've used but it really comes down to where you live. There's a surprising number of small ramps suitable for a flying 15.

This PTA map is pretty thorough: www.transport.wa.gov.au/imarine/coastaldata/nauticalcharts/pdfs/WA898_swan_and_canning_rivers.pdf

Nedlands Yacht Club is also a great spot, and friendly club. Though they do prefer 'active' members.

Would second Nedlands Yachy Club as an excellent friendly club with reasonable fees. I have also used Pt Water to launch a Red Witch, which has a similar keel. You'll need a long rope to launch, unless you don't mind getting your car wet.

Any reason you are looking at a Flying Fifteen? If you are not planning on racing its a bit of an odd choice.

Ilenart

Thanks for the replies, I'll check out Nedlands yacht club.

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Ilenart said..
Would second Nedlands Yachy Club as an excellent friendly club with reasonable fees. I have also used Pt Water to launch a Red Witch, which has a similar keel. You'll need a long rope to launch, unless you don't mind getting your car wet.

Any reason you are looking at a Flying Fifteen? If you are not planning on racing its a bit of an odd choice.

Ilenart

We are looking at flying fifteens because they have a large community in WA in case we ever do want to get into racing, they are easily accessible and there is lots of knowledge available. It's a stable boat and was recommended as a good first boat. Plus the prices for second hand ones are good.

I found the ramp at Pelican Point to be too shallow. I launched my boats there a couple of times, but they had swing keels, so didn't need as much water. Anything with a fixed keel would be impossible to launch there. The ramp next to RFBYC is probably the same (and there is very little parking).

I'll second the recommendation about Neddies yacht club! Its a great, casual club with an enviable location and a fantastic grass lawn right down to the river. The ramp gets busy on Sunday for racing, but the rest of the time it is quiet. As a member you will be able to leave your boat on the hardstand with the mast rigged and ready to go - that will save you an hour or so each time you go sailing.

NYC is also home to a fleet of Redwitches. You should consider one of these. They make a great first boat, are about the same length as the flying 15 (about 20 ft LOA) but have a proper cockpit and a cabin. If you just want to sail and not race competitively these will allow you to get out on the river, have a picnic, swim off the back and even sleep on board. You can sail right under the bridges at Fremantle and head out to the islands. Compared to the F15 they are a lot more boat, don't require you to hike and are much drier. (Compared to other trailer sailers they are small and cramped and are like driving a submarine if you have to beat upwind in a chop).

We've got a Red Witch at Nedlands and very pleased with both. We don't race as it's a bit hard to commit to anything regular with shift work and small kids.

The only issue with Nedlands is that the main ramp is in need of replacement but I imagine is a $50k+ undertaking. So we just put up with potholes now and then, don't unshackle the boat from the trailer until it's floating as you may have to pull out and try again!

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Microbe said..
I found the ramp at Pelican Point to be too shallow. I launched my boats there a couple of times, but they had swing keels, so didn't need as much water. Anything with a fixed keel would be impossible to launch there. The ramp next to RFBYC is probably the same (and there is very little parking).

I'll second the recommendation about Neddies yacht club! Its a great, casual club with an enviable location and a fantastic grass lawn right down to the river. The ramp gets busy on Sunday for racing, but the rest of the time it is quiet. As a member you will be able to leave your boat on the hardstand with the mast rigged and ready to go - that will save you an hour or so each time you go sailing.

NYC is also home to a fleet of Redwitches. You should consider one of these. They make a great first boat, are about the same length as the flying 15 (about 20 ft LOA) but have a proper cockpit and a cabin. If you just want to sail and not race competitively these will allow you to get out on the river, have a picnic, swim off the back and even sleep on board. You can sail right under the bridges at Fremantle and head out to the islands. Compared to the F15 they are a lot more boat, don't require you to hike and are much drier. (Compared to other trailer sailers they are small and cramped and are like driving a submarine if you have to beat upwind in a chop).

Thanks for the write up, we contacted NYC and will have a look at it.
Have you ever launched from Leeuwin, it's seems like it's one of the only ones with a jetty which would make launching a lot easier.

I had a look at red witches but we didn't want to spend the much to start off with.

I can't vouch for Sailer Trailers, but Mayland's, Mends St, Cooge St, Deepwater Point, Burswood, all have ramps with jetty's you can float a boat over to to lower a keel. Further down River, there's a few more.....

I can't vouch for Sailer Trailers, but Mayland's, Mends St, Cooge St, Deepwater Point, Burswood, all have ramps with jetty's you can float a boat over to to lower a keel. Further down River, there's a few more.....

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Toph said..
I can't vouch for Sailer Trailers, but Mayland's, Mends St, Cooge St, Deepwater Point, Burswood, all have ramps with jetty's you can float a boat over to to lower a keel. Further down River, there's a few more.....

Thanks for the info