Latest News Membership Survey July 2011
Membership Survey July 2011
- Details
-
27 Sep 2011
The overall response rate from all members was 20% (approximately 25% response rate for all subscription categories) and 30% of the responses were from women club members. There were only 3 questionnaires returned by members aged l9 years or less and 6 from members aged between 19 and 30 years; 62% of the responses were from members aged 60 years or over and 34% from members aged between 30 and 60 years.
|
Membership Categories |
Responses Number (%) |
Response rate by Membership category |
|
|
Family |
145 |
69% |
19% |
|
Senior |
25 |
12% |
33% |
|
Junior |
1 |
0.5% |
6% |
|
Social |
13 |
6% |
24% |
|
Long Distance |
14 |
7% |
19% |
|
Long Service |
9 |
4% |
24% |
|
Life |
2 |
1% |
33% |
|
Associate Life |
2 |
1% |
40% |
The proportion of Club members who own launches is slightly less than the proportion who own keelboats. The response rate for the different boat ownership categories is a reasonable reflection of the different ownership groups in the club except for centerboard sailors who seem to be under represented.
|
Boat type |
Responses |
|
|
No. |
% |
|
|
Launch |
67 |
26% |
|
Trailer power boat/runabout |
40 |
16% |
|
Yacht/keelboat |
88 |
35% |
|
Sailing multihull |
13 |
5% |
|
Centreboard |
19 |
7% |
|
Trailer Sailor |
9 |
4% |
|
None |
17 |
7% |
Results
The results, unless otherwise indicated, are for all respondents. Some respondents did not answer all the questions. For some questions the answers from sub-groups (e.g. launch owners and women members) have been included when these responses are significantly different from the overall responses or the question is of particular relevance to that sub-group. Responses from other sub-groups are too few to warrant separate analysis.
1. Reasons for going boating
Some people found this question difficult to answer. A few people omitted this question and some of those who did answer the question did not rank each option.
|
|
Number of responses by rank |
All responses |
||||
|
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
|
|
1. Participate in yachting as a competitive sport |
39 |
18 |
12 |
16 |
63 |
148 |
|
2. Cruising |
100 |
38 |
13 |
19 |
8 |
178 |
|
3. Meet other people with similar interests |
6 |
47 |
67 |
29 |
9 |
158 |
|
4. Learn new skills |
5 |
19 |
40 |
49 |
19 |
132 |
|
5. Fishing &/or diving |
45 |
50 |
25 |
25 |
31 |
176 |
Cruising was ranked first by 56% of all those who responded to this question and by 43% of launch owners who responded. Fishing &/or diving was ranked first or second by 50% of all respondents and by 78% of launch owners. Yachting as a competitive sport was ranked first by 22% and was ranked last by 35%. Meeting other people was ranked 2nd or 3rd by 64% and learning new skills was ranked 3rd or 4th by 50% of all respondents.
For the majority of club members who responded to this survey cruising and meeting other people with similar interests seem to be the most important activities with fishing and/or diving important for launch owners. Competitive sailing is the main activity for a minority of club members. Learning new skills also seems to be important for a group of club members
2. The main reasons for visiting the Clubhouse in the past 12 months
|
To participate in Club social events |
70 |
22% |
|
To make use of the Club restaurant/bar |
109 |
35% |
|
To attend after yacht race prize giving |
67 |
21% |
|
Have not visited the Clubhouse in the last 12 months |
47 |
15% |
|
Other (please state |
20 |
6% |
Responses in the other category included:
- Closed / nothing happening / poor restaurant service 4 responses
- To attend the AGM 4 responses
- For Committee meetings or working bee 3 responses
- For social drink on Friday night 2 responses
- New member 3 responses
3. Is the restaurant an important part of the Cruising Club?
|
Yes |
118 |
58% |
|
No |
86 |
42% |
4. Are you prepared to lose exclusive member only access to the restaurant and main bar if this part of the Clubhouse is leased to a third party?
|
Yes |
170 |
83% |
|
No |
36 |
17% |
There appears to be a clear majority who feel that a restaurant is important but do not mind if this is open to the public.
5. Which of the existing Club facilities, services or equipment would you like to see improved?
|
|
All responses |
Launch owners |
||
|
Dinghy storage |
32 |
12% |
7 |
9% |
|
Haulout / boat wash down facility |
99 |
36% |
30 |
38% |
|
Boat parking for trailer sailors |
21 |
8% |
2 |
3% |
|
Car parking |
47 |
17% |
10 |
13% |
|
Safety patrol boats/RIBs |
8 |
3% |
1 |
1% |
|
None - the facilities meet my expectations |
66 |
24% |
28 |
36% |
A greater proportion of launch owners compared with other members seem satisfied with the current facilities.
Other suggestions were as follows:
- Improved marina and car park security 5
- Improved haulout and hardstand facilities 8
- Deepen launching ramp 2
- Better access to fresh water 3
- Designated parking for marine berth holders 2
- Priority trailer parking for club members 2
Suggestions from only one respondent each, included:
- Game fishing acknowledged as major part of club
- Floating jetty alongside western boat ramp
- Ability to hire a sailboat for the weekend
- Prune trees above approach to western boat ramp
- Better surface for sailing dinghies next to concrete ramp
- Ability to contribute a safety boat for regattas at other clubs
- Improve depth at pile moorings and approaches
6. Which new facilities, services or equipment would you like?
|
|
All responses |
Launch owners |
Women Members |
|||
|
Storage for centreboard boats owned by club members |
31 |
13% |
3 |
5% |
11 |
14% |
|
Secure parking for trailer boats
|
31 |
13% |
6 |
9% |
12 |
16% |
|
On-shore boat wash down taps
|
38 |
15% |
10 |
15% |
11 |
14% |
|
Facilities for children in the Clubhouse |
34 |
14% |
8 |
12% |
16 |
21% |
|
Sky TV in the clubhouse
|
30 |
12% |
5 |
8% |
10 |
13% |
|
None - the existing facilities meet my expectations |
84 |
33% |
34 |
51% |
17 |
22% |
Women members are significantly more interested in better facilities for children in the clubhouse. As in the previous question launch owners are more likely to be satisfied with the existing facilities. This is consistent with answers in question 8 where launch owners are less likely to be interested in organized club events.
Other suggestions included:
- Improved marina security / lighting (including car park and boat ramps) 4
- Introducing new members to other club members 3
- Improvements to clubhouse – sky TV, facilities to attract young families 3
- Less noise in clubhouse – TV too noisy, children not controlled 3
- More parking facilities 1
- VHF radio in marina 1
- Internet access 1
- Safe, on-water, overnight storage for trailer boats (who have paid for
expensive hard stand) when ramp unusable 1
7. In the last 12 months which form(s) of boating &/or Kerikeri Cruising Club activities have you & your family participated in?
|
|
All responses |
Launch owners |
||
|
Cruising internationally |
20 |
3% |
3 |
1% |
|
Cruising around NZ |
26 |
3% |
8 |
4% |
|
Weekend cruising in the Bay of Islands |
128 |
17% |
49 |
24% |
|
Day cruising in the Bay of Islands |
138 |
18% |
46 |
22% |
|
Yacht racing in international events |
16 |
2% |
2 |
1% |
|
Yacht racing in national events |
30 |
4% |
3 |
1% |
|
Yacht racing in KCC winter &/or summer series |
54 |
7% |
3 |
1% |
|
KCC Rum racing |
54 |
7% |
4 |
2% |
|
Centreboard racing |
18 |
2% |
1 |
1% |
|
Social events at the Clubhouse |
66 |
9% |
14 |
7% |
|
Fishing |
121 |
16% |
50 |
24% |
|
Water skiing |
14 |
2% |
3 |
1% |
|
Diving |
44 |
6% |
11 |
5% |
|
None |
18 |
2% |
6 |
3% |
|
Other (please state) |
7 |
1% |
3 |
1% |
Other activities mentioned included use of the bar and restaurant, game fishing, conservation activities and wind surfing (one response each). One respondent said that they had done none of these activities because they did not feel part of anything at the Club.
It is perhaps interesting to note that 23 members have been cruising internationally in the last 12 months.
8. Are you interested in participating in organised Club events?
|
|
All responses |
Launch owners |
Women members |
|||
|
Keelboat racing |
70 |
16% |
6 |
6% |
16 |
12% |
|
Centreboard racing |
20 |
4% |
2 |
2% |
7 |
5% |
|
Cruise events |
82 |
18% |
20 |
21% |
27 |
20% |
|
Social events |
99 |
22% |
24 |
25% |
32 |
23% |
|
Educational events |
67 |
15% |
12 |
12% |
25 |
18% |
|
Invited speakers |
79 |
18% |
17 |
18% |
23 |
17% |
|
None |
34 |
8% |
16 |
16% |
7 |
5% |
As might be expected there are few launch owners who are interested in keelboat or centerboard racing, although many are interested in cruising and social events. Few women members are interested in centerboard racing but many are interested in educational events and invited speakers.
9. Rank the following Club events in importance for you.
|
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
Responses |
|
Cruise weekends |
39 |
28 |
32 |
13 |
27 |
139 |
|
Keeler racing |
45 |
18 |
19 |
24 |
14 |
120 |
|
Centreboard racing |
8 |
21 |
16 |
20 |
29 |
94 |
|
Social events in the Clubhouse |
29 |
42 |
30 |
31 |
7 |
139 |
|
Learn to sail for children |
33 |
26 |
29 |
15 |
16 |
119 |
All these activities seem to be important for approximately equal proportions of club members. The small number of people ranking centerboard racing as the most important activity is a reflection of the small number of responses received from centerboard owners.
10. What new activities would you like to see within the Club?
|
Fishing competitions |
47 |
12% |
|
Race coaching for keelboat sailors |
45 |
12% |
|
Race coaching for centreboard sailors |
31 |
8% |
|
Safety or 1st Aid courses |
80 |
21% |
|
Boating skill courses e.g. navigation or boat handling |
95 |
25% |
|
Learn to sail for adults on keelboats |
51 |
13% |
|
Learn to sail for adults on centreboard boats |
24 |
6% |
|
Other - please note in the box below. |
12 |
3% |
Other suggested activities were:
- Use of the clubroom for non-boating related activities – e.g. indoor bowls, book club, garden club, pre-school group get-together
- Kayaking skills
- Learn to sail for children during the school holidays
- Team racing for keelboats and keelboat racing events promoting skills rather than speed
- Skills education – ship-to-shore radio, GPS use / navigation, engine maintenance and repairs
- Game fishing club
- Public open days for sailing – encourage new crew members
- Other educational events. e.g. galley cuisine; tips on new products (and sources) for provisioning; boating skill courses to include short handed sailing (e.g. one person MOB retrieval, particularly when MOB is big!); tips on new gear for short handed sailing
11. What are the main issues that stop or hinder you participating in Cruising Club boating activities?
|
|
All responses |
Launch owners |
Women members |
|||
|
No boat
|
15 |
5% |
1 |
1% |
6 |
7% |
|
No interest
|
11 |
4% |
8 |
11% |
6 |
7% |
|
Conflict with family commitments |
55 |
18% |
6 |
8% |
19 |
23% |
|
Conflict with work commitments |
41 |
13% |
9 |
12% |
6 |
7% |
|
Conflict with weekend activities |
57 |
19% |
12 |
16% |
21 |
25% |
|
Not aware of Club events |
4 |
1% |
0 |
0% |
0 |
0% |
|
Lack of boating skills
|
5 |
2% |
1 |
1% |
3 |
4% |
|
No crew
|
13 |
4% |
0 |
0% |
2 |
2% |
|
Spouse/partner does not enjoy boating |
15 |
5% |
6 |
8% |
0 |
0% |
|
Preference for independent boating without other people |
57 |
19% |
23 |
31% |
12 |
14% |
|
Fully committed to Club events |
7 |
2% |
0 |
0% |
1 |
1% |
|
Other (please state) |
24 |
8% |
9 |
12% |
8 |
10% |
Consistent with earlier questions, launch owners have a slightly greater preference for independent boating without other people and are less interested in participating in club related activities. Women members experience greater conflict with family commitments and other weekend activities.
Other issues that hindered participation in club activities included health problems and living (or sailing) a long distance from the club. More specific issues were the absence of a restaurant, parking difficulties and the lack of regular centerboard racing.
In response to previous questions some new members have said that they experienced difficulties in getting to know other members. One member commented that there is a feeling that “the club is a closed group” and it is difficult for new members to join in.
12. Communication between members and the Club
|
|
Poor 1 |
Average 2 |
Excellent 3 |
Total Responses |
Score |
|
Monthly Newsletter
|
13 |
42 |
144 |
199 |
529 / 597 |
|
Email notices
|
14 |
32 |
114 |
160 |
420 / 480 |
|
Communication with Club Officers |
69 |
41 |
31 |
141 |
244 / 423 |
Not all respondents rated every form of communication.
The monthly newsletter and email notices were both rated well. Communication with Club Officers was not so good.
Two specific suggestions were:
- more information on the yacht club website
- more information about matters important to the running of the club and the background problems which are of major concern to the well-being of the club
13. What is the main reason you are a member of the Kerikeri Cruising Club?
Most of the responses to this question gave more than one reason for being a member of the Club. The following is a summary of these responses, grouped under the main reason plus the various other reasons.
- 71 responses - the marina and its facilities plus the social aspects of the club
- 35 responses – enjoyment of boating, sailing, cruising or fishing and the opportunity to meet socially with other people with similar interests
- 31 responses – use of the club facilities including the clubhouse and restaurant, and meeting fellow members and friends
- 20 responses – support of the local club and a valuable community resource, enjoyment of boating and connection with the sailing community
- 20 responses – club racing and socializing after races, and enjoyment of sailing
- 6 responses – access to the boat ramp and car / trailer parking facilities
- 2 responses – learning to sail
14. If the Club could change one thing to improve its service to you, what would that be?
1. Restaurant / café and bar
Regular and longer (lunch as well as dinner) opening hours with good meals at a reasonable price. (+ publicise the opening hours) 36 responses
(One member requested a “members only” restaurant after races & social events and another request was to keep the Tea Pot bar for members and guests only. Their was one request for continued affordable club house hire for private functions)
2. Improved haulout facilities
Ability to clean and apply antifouling 34 responses
Also 2 requests for increased depth for boats up to 2metres draught and 1 suggestion for hard standing
3. Club house improvements 12 responses
Make it more welcoming and family friendly – fire place, children’s area, steps down to the water, and opening hours publicised
4. Marina – various suggestions total 22 responses
- Better security, gates, lighting 6
- Better water supply and water on the breakwater for members 4
- Adequate boat washing facilities all year round 2
- Sail boat rental facility 2
- More berths for larger keel boats 1
- Better berthing arrangements for visiting & overseas yachts 1
- Full length fingers on B pier 1
- Maintain a register of competent marine services 1
- Dredge outer row of piles 1
- Shop on site – chandlery and basic food items 1
- Internet access and better cell phone coverage 1
- Floating barge for yachties 1
- Better marina management 1
5. Parking and boat ramp
- More and better controlled parking with restricted public access 9
- Better launching ramp facilities – all tide and floating pontoon 3
- More trailer boat parking 2
6. Management / financial suggestions
Reasonably priced or cheaper fuel 3
Restrain costs – stop increasing fees, fees too high 3
Reduce size of General Committee and make decisions 2
Reply to letters 1
Automatic payment / direct debit for fees & subscriptions 1
7. New members – arrangements for introducing new members to the club, more welcoming attitude/feeling, someone to meet and greet members 5 responses
8. Other suggestions with 1 response each
- A more active and well known centreboard section
- More club events on and off the water
- Involve more young people (more crew)
- Improve understanding between user groups
- Improve understanding between keel boaters and centreboarders
- Improve education content – race coaching not just for school sailing
- Encourage more boats and crews to go racing
- More involvement of members who are not yachties
- Game fishing club and weigh station
- Turn my clock back 70 years
15. Would you be prepared to 'buddy' a new Club member, take them boating, host them in the Clubhouse, introduce them to other Club members?
|
Yes |
72 |
40% |
|
No |
108 |
60% |
