GBA president Nick Guillemette said that this was not due to low numbers of members. A recent recruitment drive had seen about 90 new members join, which he said had kept membership stable, following a number of members quitting after selling their boats due to rising costs.
However he said despite healthy membership and buoyant finances, the GBA was under threat due to no-one coming forward to replace an ageing committee, including himself.
‘It was my intention to retire as president at this AGM after 10 years at the helm but to date I have been unable to find anyone keen enough or available to succeed me,’ he said.
‘I have decided to stand for re-election for one final year only, during which time someone has to come forward to fill my role.’
He added that several of his colleagues on the committee were now in their 70s and also wished to retire at the end of 2026.
‘We want to make way for younger members to take over the reins from us old codgers,’ he said. ‘We need new blood, new enthusiasm and energy if we are to survive.
‘This should be a wake-up call, if no-one is interested in carrying on representing local boating interests or raising your concerns with the authorities, the GBA will cease to function. Sadly, that would end over 100 years of being an independent and vociferous voice for small boat-owners.’
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