#isora – Three different Beneteau models filled the top three places in ISORA's 35–mile offshore day race on Saturday. The light air race from Dún Laoghaire to Tailor's Rock, Loughshinny and back off Dublin's East coast was won by the Beneteau First 40.7 Tsunami skippered by ISORA commodore Peter Ryan of the National Yacht Club. Second in the 13–boat fleet was the Royal Irish Yacht Club's Mermaid IV, a Beneteau First 50. Third was First of September, a First 43.5. Full results available to download below as a png file.

The next ISORA race is the KONA offshore Race from Dún Laoghaire to Pwllheli on 26th July. This is also the feeder race for the IRC Welsh Nationals on 1st to 3rd August.

Additional report by Peter Ryan, ISORA

With many of the ISORA regulars recovering after the recent Round Ireland race and also taking part in Cork Week, 13 of the 15 entries came to the start line at Pier Mark for the ISORA Lighthouse Day Race.
The forecast for the day was light winds from the south strengthening around midday and reducing again in the evening and veering west. The original plan for the course was to round or pass the main lighthouses around Dublin – Baily, Rockabill, Kish, Muglins and Dun Laoghaire lighthouses. This would have produced a course of 45 miles. When the course was being decided just prior to the pre-race briefing, Dublin Bay was like a mill pond with little or no wind. Another factor in deciding the course was the strong tides on the day – HW at 12.20.

The Sailing Committee set the course to give a shortened race of 35 miles using Tailors Rock Cardinal just north west of Lambay instead of Rockabill. The course was:
Baily (P) – Tailors Rock (S) – Kish (S) – Muglins (S) – Finish at Dun Laoghaire – (35 miles)

Commodore of the NYC, Larry Power, sent the fleet of 13 boats off under spinnaker in 10 knots of wind towards Baily Lighthouse at 10.00. The wind was as per the forecast, from the south giving a dead run to Tailors Rock. The fleet was lead past Baily lighthouse by "Mermaid IV" with "Tsunami", "First of September" and "Adelie" in close contact. As the fleet passed by Ireland's Eye and Howth the winds became fickle with a slightly steadier wind seeming to exist out to sea.

As the fleet approached Tailors Rock, "Mermaid IV" was the first to round. As a celebration of their rounding they sent one of their crew up to the top of the mast, probably looking to find more wind!!!! This event was photographed and the picture is similar to the famous "Hugo Boss" photograph of the mast walker.

At this stage the entire fleet were well bunched and the race was there for anyone to take. ISORA debutante "Hypermene" a Mini Transat 6.5 was expected to dominate the race but Skipper, Graham Barker, had gear difficulties and was unable to live up to expectations in this race.

The leg to Kish was a beat and the leading boats "Mermaid IV" and "Tsunami" extended their lead ahead of the following fleet. The winds had started to strengthen as forecast and varied from 12-15 knots from the south.

The leg to the Muglins was a tight reach and by that time "Mermaid IV" was well clear of "Tsunami". However, the "Dalkey Island Curse" was present to stop the progress of "Mermaid IV". She passed the Muglins and appeared to sail into the "hole" and then made little progress against the strong south going tide at the rock. The wind also backed to south east and reduced producing another dead run to the finish. "Mermaid IV" opting for the line close to the land to avoid the tide, found only fickle winds. "Tsunami" approaching the Muglins observed the difficulties "Mermaid IV" was having and gybed immediately out towards Baily and steadier winds but stronger tide after rounding Muglins. This move paid off for "Tsunami".

This was not the end of the problems for the leading boats and the following fleet. A "hole" had also formed around the finish area at the pier heads and what winds were there veered and backed continuously. The bad luck had not ended for "Mermaid IV" who parked in front of the finish line for several minutes before crossing and taking line honours. "Tsunami" who benefitted from "Mermaid's" experiences crossed the line very shortly after in a filling breeze taking Overall and Class 1. "First of September" took Class 2 and "Big Deal" took Silver Class. The last boat crossed the finish line at 17.22 after a very pleasant race.

The usual "Apres Sail" took place in the NYC.

The next race is the KONA Dun Laoghaire to Pwllheli Race on the 24th July. This is the feeder race to the Welsh IRC Nationals in Pwllheli from 1st -3rd August. The sponsors of the race KONA are providing the perpetual KONA Offshore Trophy for the winner of the race and the winner also receives a replica of the trophy to keep. The Royal Dee Yacht Club have also provided a trophy, "The Tidal Cup" for the winner of the feeder race.

It is hoped that as many of the ISORA boats take part in the Welsh Nationals. KONA will be providing a crew bus back to Holyhead to take those participants in the KONA feeder race and who are leaving their boats in Pwllheli for the IRC Nationals. A crew bus will also be provided to take those same crew back to Pwllheli on the following Thursday evening for the IRC event. The KONA prize giving for the feeder race will take place on the Thursday evening of the IRC Nationals when the crew bus from Holyhead arrives. A reception is also being provided for those who took part in the feeder race.

I hope to see all the ISORA boats supporting PSC for the IRC Nationals. This promises to be a great racing and social event.

#boatsforsale – Time was when shrewd boat buyers went into action in the Autumn, when the post-summer downturn in enthusiasm might just make the used dreamboat affordable with a bargain end-of-season price. But these days, when most of us are urban-based with limited storage space around our homes, our boats are kept during the winter either in marinas or boatyards. Both options incur ongoing winter-long costs, quickly eroding the benefit of an Autumn bargain. W M Nixon suggests that now may be the best time to buy.

With good weather in the offing and the St Patrick's Day weekend on the near horizon, the boat-owning juices are beginning to stir. Not everyone wants to own a boat. But for those who do, it's an irresistible calling, a vocation which can only be deferred for so long. 

For sure, you could fight it well enough during the years of recession, when most of us were pre-occupied with simply keeping our economic heads above water. And even last Autumn, when things seemed at least to have bottomed out on the economic front, there was natural prudence in resisting the temptation to rush out and buy.

Now there is the added news that boat finance is being made available for the first time in five years through niche Dublin finance house First Finance and Leasing Ltd (FFL). It's the first time since the crash that a credit line is available for boats in Ireland.

So for the next few weeks, it's action time. And as Lee Stevenson of Blue Flag Boats in Bangor sensibly points out, many used boats for sale have spent the winter ashore, so if things get to the stage of seeking a pre-purchase survey, you don't incur the additional cost of a lift-out.

Down on the south coast, Hugh Mockler of Crosshaven Boatyard finds his continually-replenishing list of craft for sale is usually numbered at about 90 boats at any given time. While he can provide his services all over the country, his main area of operations is between Waterford to the east, and the increasingly important sailing area in and around Valentia Island to the west, with all the astonishingly varied sailing and boating paradises of the south and southwest coasts in between.

In the end, of course, it's people not ports that buy boats, so the large concentration of population in the Dublin area is matched by an intensification in broker numbers, with the main firms including BJ Marine where James Kirwan is the lead broker. However, founder Bernard Gallagher isn't averse to keeping his hand in with the occasional negotiation in the second-hand area from time to time, though his main focus is on new boats based on BJ's several noted marques, with the Beneteau brand dominant.

Martin and Gerry Salmon and their team with MGM Boats in the heart of the Dun Laoghaire marina area are likewise running a busy international firm whose used boat brokerage operations stemmed originally from their new boat sales with the Jeanneau range heading the fleet. But in recent years MGM's energies have been such that they've earned a European and even Transatlantic reputation for successfully selling top end second-hand craft.

Ronan Beirne of Leinster Boats in Dun Laoghaire is almost entirely focused on the used boat market, but with his extensive personal seagoing experience in boats of many kinds, he finds himself being asked to provide advice and professional expertise at all stages of the boat buying process, both new and second-hand. While he too can undertake work in all parts of the country, the main strength of Leinster Boats lies in doing what it says on the tin – his principal area of operations is focused precisely on the Leinster coast, which is Ireland's east coast between Carlingford Lough and New Ross in Wexford, where the River Barrow meets the sea far inland from Hook Head.

Ronan Beirne brings extensive experience of all kinds of boating and sailing to assisting clients of Leinster Boats

Like all respected brokers, Ronan Beirne sees it as part of his job to discourage people from buying boats which might not be suited at all to their particular needs. Brokers who are in it for the long haul hope to build up repeat business, and quick but ill-matched sales are not the way to do it. Nevertheless as all brokers are themselves boat owners manqué, from time to time their enthusiasm simply bursts out, and that's how it is at the moment with Lee Stevenson's pleasure in bringing the Moody s31 Corona to the market.

The Moody boats around this size have a long and impeccable pedigree. It was a very long time ago that the distinguished yacht building firm of Moody & Sons descended into the turmoil of glassfibre series production with the Moody 33, which was a lot of boat for the money. Subsequent Moody production boats of mostly larger sizes continued, with designer Angus Primrose's theme of reasonable performance combined with incredibly roomy accommodation in a high volume hull manifesting itself in numerous models. But as Primrose's assistant Bill Dixon took over the design work, the lines became more refined, and by the 1980s the new look was personified by the Moody 29 which looked good and punched way above her weight in the accommodation and performance stakes.

I can fondly remember the battles we had throughout the 1980s racing in Class 3 against the Moody 29 Mystique of Malahide campaigned by Robert & Rose Michael, a super boat which cruised as successfully as she raced. More recently, an excellent exponent of this Moody size and type has been Donal Walsh's Dungarvan-based Lady Kate, a Moody 31 of later vintage, being the 1986 interpretation of the Moody 29 concept. Just last year, Lady Kate won the Irish Cruising Club's Round Ireland Cup for an exemplary circumnavigation of our wayward island.

The Moody s31 Corona has a sensible and unextreme shape with the safety and convenience bonus of a sugar-scoop stern.

Corona is the 1996 development and enlargement of this theme, and she's a 31 footer which packs a good performance with an exceptionally comprehensive range of equipment, as in her seventeen years of life she's had three loving owners each of whom seems to have hoped to outdo his predecessor in lavishing care and goodies on the boat. The price of £45,000 reflects this very full inventory, and also the fact that the boat has been immaculately maintained. For a family thinking of moving into the performance cruiser bracket, she's a very manageable boat, absolutely ready to go. And with her proven performance and comfort, she might also be ideal for someone thinking to downsize from a larger offshore racer while not entirely hanging up the racing boots.

Down in Crosshaven, the Afloat.ie brokerage site draws attention to an interesting larger boat on Hugh Mockler's books, a boat which he admits has been well and very actively used, and thus she might need a bit of TLC. But with a price of just €37,500 this 1987 Jeanneau Sun Shine 38 has to be interesting, even if you note things that show you how much has changed in the 37 years since this boat was built, such as a Yanmar Diesel of only 24HP.

The 1987 Jeanneau Sun Shine 38 is that perfect size which suggests all sorts of cruising possibilities.

The Sun Shine 38 looks well-lived-in, but a bit of TLC will bring her back to showroom condition.

Nevertheless, the interior photos show us a boat which those of us whose boats are earlier than 1987 would think is in very sweet order indeed. And 38ft is for many sailors the perfect size – just big enough, but not too big.

Back on the east coast, James Kirwan at BJ Marine has two interesting craft in the same size range, but at very different prices. Around 2000, Beneteau up-graded their previously rather bulbous-looking Oceanis marque, and produced a range of boats which were notably handsome, with very positive and elegant sheerlines, and a nicely balanced profile. They looked well in all colour schemes, but they looked sensational in the Beneteau blue, and the Dublin office of BJ has a 2006 Beneteau Oceanis 373 in this particular shade of blue - she looks well in any company.

The Beneteau Oceanis range was at a handsome stge of development around 2006. This Oceanis 373 is for sale through BJ Marine at €79,900.

Her engine size reflects the change in attitudes to available auxiliary power over the years, as it is 40HP compared to the older Sun Shine's 24HP, but the use of a Yanmar is continued. The price is €79,000, which feels right, and you get a fine cruiser which might just surprise the opposition in club racing.

Another BJ boat which talks more clearly of racing potential is a First 40 which was sold new by the firm in 2009. In fact, this was one of the very first of the boats which replaced the well-proven First 40.7, but as she wasn't intended for racing, she has the shoal draft configuration. The year after she was built, the deep keel version of this new First 40 achieved international success by taking first and second overall in the 2010 Sydney-Hobart Race. But despite that, this boat has stayed resolutely in cruising mode – "neither raced nor rallied" as they say in the car business – and is on the market for €149,000.

This five year old First 40 from BJ Marine is the shoal draft cruising version of a racer which dominated the 2010 Hobart Race

Meanwhile MGM boats in Dun Laoghaire are in the almost-new area with a 2011 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 33i at €79,950. It makes you realise how completely Irish life came to a stick-in-the-mud halt during the depth of the recession years, as this boat is now three years old, yet she looks super-modern by comparison with almost all of the current Irish fleet. And there's more to her than meets the eye. She has been used only in fresh water, and she's the lifting keel variant. Not everyone needs that option, but for those who might, it greatly broadens the scope of your sailing where the water is thin.

A Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 33i from MGM Boats is unusual in having a lifting keel, and she has only been used in fresh water.

For those who might be interested in an American take on modern cruising yacht design, MGM have a 2000-built Hunter 340 priced competitively at €39,950. This will be of particular interest to someone who's utterly realistic about the kind of sailing most of us do in the Dublin area, as she has a very commodious saloon, and a large cockpit. If we're honest about the way we sail and use our boats, this is an arrangement which ticks most boxes.

The American-designed and built Hunter 340 has an exceptionally large saloon and very roomy cockpit

Leinster Boats by contrast have a cruiser which has classic seagoing as a priority. She's a quality Swedish-built Malo 36, yet though she's well able for ocean voyaging, and is kitted accordingly, she has generally been lightly used with short-passage cruises in the hands of a fastidious owner.

The price reflects the boat's high standard, indeed you'll have to contact Leinster Boats to find what it is, but the company have no hesitation in stating the price quoted for their Springtime bargain. For €13,400, you can secure a vintage Rival 32, designed by the great Peter Brett. The boat has been laid up for three or four years, but she's a gallant cruising yacht, and at a very manageable price.

Last year' whirlwind tour of Ireland's East Coast by the Old Gaffers Association for their Golden Jubilee cruise gave prominence to the "plastic gaffers" which are now an accepted part of the OGA fleet. We've been accustomed to the Heard range based on the sea-tested Falmouth working boats, craft such as incoming OGA President Sean Walsh's own Tir na nOg, but last summers events brought to prominence boats which more thoroughly exploit the possibilities of glassfibre construction while continuing to set gaff rig.

The Cornish Pilot Cutter 30 from Crosshaven Boatyard is the sister-ship of a successful participant in the Old Gaffers Association Golden Jubilee events in 2013.

One which particularly impressed was veteran gaffers Tim and Liz Dodwell with their new-style Cornish Pilot Cutter 30 High Barbaree, which spectacularly got the best of the squally start for the Leinster Plate race in Dublin Bay. Now there's a sister-ship of High Barbaree for sale in Cork. Hugh Mockler of Crosshaven Boatyard has her on his books for €97,500, she's in mint condition having been built in 2004, and as she has a centreplate and a 29hp engine, this is one versatile boat and definitely of interest to anyone who only feels happy sailing under a four-sided mainsail.

But if you feel only happy with a four-sided mainsail atop a vintage hull, shape your course for Gareth Courtney at BJ Marine in Bangor, who has the classic 1920 48ft Dickie's of Tarbert gaff ketch Morna on his books for £129,950. She has recently had a major refit and has an immaculate teak deck, while the rig is notably easily handled, and there's just something very special about this boat.

The 48ft gaff ketch Morna is pure gold classic, yet easily handled with her compact rig while having a good sailing performance.

Morna's large area of teak laid deck is impressive, but such beauty doesn't come cheap

Another vessel in the higher dream stakes is on Lee Stevenson's books at Blue Flag Boats, this is a Hylas 49 fom the Sparkman & Stephens' board. This yacht really has sailed the oceans, yet you'd think she is fresh out of the box, and the price is £245,000 absolutely ready to go across the high seas with quality sailing.

The blue water dream is just ready to come to life again. This immaculate Hylas 49 from Blue Flag Boats has already proven her ocean sailing credentials.

But those who have done their duty by sails are always on the lookout for a powerboat which would appeal to former sailing folk, and Hugh Mockler in Crosshaven reckons he has her on his varied list. She's an Oyster LD43, built 2005, flawless condition, oodles of power to match that stunning hull, and yours for £235,000. And yes, that – like the Hylas – is indeed sterling. Dream on.

The perfect fast powerboat for former sailing fanatics – the Oyster LD43 on sale with Crosshaven Boatyard.

Restrained style with impressive comfort – the deck saloon in the Oyster LD43 is the essence of good taste.

#beneteau – After a reported strong 2013, including the opening of Greystones Harbour Marina in County Wicklow, Irish boating firm BJ Marine is gearing up for 2014.

Representing major international boating names Beneteau, Fairline, Sea Ray and Greenline, BJ Marine are at the International Boat Shows in London this week (4th–12th January) and will also be in Dusseldorf later this month. (18th–26 January).

Highlights from this show period include the debut of the Beneteau MC4 flybridge cruiser, its main selling being a new hull shape, stability and handling with IPS drives, its interior finish and the amount of natural light down below.

Beneteau is not exhibiting at London, opting for a huge presence at Dusseldorf instead. Paris and Dusseldorf will also feature the French firm's new Oceanis 38 which is already selling strongly, available in daysailer, weekender and cruiser formats.

Greenline will feature the New Greenline 48 Hybrid at Dusseldorf along with the already established 33 and 40 while Fairline will exhibit the new Fairline Targa 48 Open, Squadron 48 and Targa 48 GT at London with their range from 38ft-80ft.

BJ Marine's Group Sales Manager James Kirwan told Afloat: '2013 saw strong new boat sales supported by a healthy brokerage market. 2014 looks similar but excellent new designs as well as strong trade–in possibilities on new stock boats gives today's buyer a range of options.

Kirwan also said demand is there for quality brokerage boats "as we continue to sell and ship all over Europe from our Irish, UK and Malta bases."

#middlesearace – Offshore sailors Brian Flahive and Liam Coyne (from the Dun Laoghaire based double – handed First 36.7 Lula Belle) are part of the crew on the class 4 winning boat, Otra Vex in this year's Malta's Middle Sea race. A large Irish contingent are crewing on a variety of international entries in the race and two Irish Beneteau designs, Paddy and Dermot Cronin's First 40.7 Encore from Malahide and Tony Tennyson/Des Kelliher's First 44.7 Gallileo from the National Yacht Club (NYC) in Dun Laoghiare have finished the race, both racing in class four and finishing 23rd and 32nd respectively.

The Lulabelle pair also  from the NYC have crewed regularly on Otravex since last year and it's their second middle sea race on her. Coyne and Flahive also did the Rolex Giraglia Cup where they were third overall of 200 yachts.

Barry Hurley, Andrew Boyle and Philip O'Connor were crewing on the XP 44 X-Pact and came second in class two after a great tight race with Oiltanker Juno.

Dun Laoghaire sailing instructor Kenny Rumball was sailing on Comanchie Raider

IRC Four was the largest class taking part in the Rolex Middle Sea Race. 46 yachts from 10 different countries including Croatia, Czech Republic, France, Ireland, Italy, Montenegro, Malta, Russia, Sweden and the United Kingdom. 

Edward & Aaron Gatt Floridia's J/122, Otra Vez completed the 606-mile race at dusk on Day Five, after racing with a highly competitive fleet. Otra Vez has been announced as the winner of IRC Four. Rod Stuart's Scottish Elan 410, Eos was less than 2 minutes behind on corrected time and Renzo Grottesi's Italian X40, Pita Maha was just nine minutes behind Otra Vez.

The sound of clinking glasses and rousing voices filled the air today at the Royal Malta Yacht Club. Hundreds of competitors enjoyed the full hospitality of the club, sharing their stories with fellow competitors over a glass or two. After days and nights at sea, isolated from the outside world, the cosmopolitan crowd also enjoyed good food and excellent company.

The remaining yachts taking part in the Rolex Middle Sea Race are expected to arrive at the Royal Malta tomorrow. At 1500 on Day Six of the Rolex Middle Sea Race, 12 yachts are still racing.

Results here

#bjmarine – Last season saw Irish boat sales firm BJ Marine deliver several debut models to new Irish owners and that trend looks set to continue after September's Southampton Boat Show this season too.

The Irish boat dealer attended the show with a six strong team from the Malahide, Greystones, Bangor and Malta offices present on the Beneteau, Fairline, Sea Ray and Greenline stands.

The Beneteau brand was to the fore in Southampton with yachts exhibited ashore and motor boats afloat.

The new models, the Oceanis 55 and in particular, the Oceanis 38 are making big inroadsinto the modern cruising market and BJ report both designs will have Irish owners for the 2014 season.

There will also be the first Oceanis 48 in to Ireland in 2014. The MC5 (pictured) also created interest with owners recognising a step up in quality, finish and performance.

Fairline debuted the Squadron 48 and Targa 48 with orders for both and BJ Marine do have availability for several models for the 2014 season.

One noticeable point for the BJ Marine team in Southampton was the demand for quality used boats. There are both international and domestic buyers awaiting the right boat.

BJ Marine's James Kirwan told Afloat.ie "There are new boats coming home, we have marine finance available, we are taking trade ins, there is demand for used boats and the 2013 summer showcased our marine environment better than ever, bring on 2014".

Contact James Kirwan at 01 8061560

#beneteau – One of Ireland's best selling boat ranges Beneteau who are also Europe's leading leisure boat manufacturer is preparing to showcase its extensive range of power and sailing yachts at the 2012 Salon Nautique International de Paris and the 2013 Boot Düsseldorf 44th International Boat Show but, like last year, the French boating giant will not be exhibiting at the London Boat Show.

'Beneteau have moved away from London because they can't justify the expense involved.  Instead the firm will have a huge presence in Paris and Dusseldorf' says Bernard Gallagher of BJ Marine, the Irish Beneteau distributor.

After providing the support boats for the memorable sailing events at the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and a successful 2012 PSP Southampton Boat Show where it unveiled three new models, Beneteau is looking forward to exhibiting its quality range at two of Europe's leading boat shows over the coming months.

At the 2012Salon Nautique International de Paris at the Porte de Versailles between 8 and 16 December 2012, Beneteau will be exhibiting a total of 28 boats comprising models from the First, Oceanis, Sense, Antares, Barracuda, Flyer HB, Montecarlo, Gran Turismo and Trawler ranges.

The Oceanis 55 will be on show for the first time at the Salon Nautique in Paris and also at Boot 2013 in Düsseldorf, providing the opportunity to view Beneteau's stunning new cruising yacht with clean modern lines and an extremely comfortable interior.

The Salon Nautique International de Paris is one of Europe's premier boat shows with 820 exhibitors displaying 800 boats including around 200 new models attracting more than 242,833 visitors in 2012. For ticket and travel information visit: www.salonnautiqueparis.com/GB

At Boot 2013 held at the Düsseldorf Exhibition Centre from 19 to 27 January 2013, Beneteau will be showcasing 22 boats comprisingmodels from the First, Oceanis, Sense, Antares, Barracuda, Flyer HB,Monte Carlo, Gran Turismo and Trawler ranges.

The 14.95-metre (49' 1") Monte Carlo 5, the first model in the innovative Monte Carlo range of flybridge motor yachts, will be launched on 19 January at Boot 2013. The Monte Carlo project combines the French group'sindustrial expertise with the best in the tradition of Italian nautical design from Nuvolari & Lenard, and interior design from Pierangelo Andreani.

In 2012 theBoot Düsseldorf International Boat Show hosted 1,656 exhibitors from 62 countries attracting 250,500 visitors over nine days. With 17 exhibition halls dedicated to all things nautical it provides a ideal venue to view the Beneteau range alongside a full range ofequipment and accessories from all over Europe and beyond. For further information including ticket and travel details visit: www.boat-duesseldorf.com

"After an extremely successful summer which included supplying support boats to LOCOG for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and a successful 2012 PSP Southampton Boat Show where we launched three new Beneteau models, we are looking forward to exhibiting our extensive range at Paris 2012 and Düsseldorf 2013. With excellent transport links from the UK, both events provide a perfect opportunity to view the Beneteau range at two of Europe's most prestigious boat shows," François Renault, Beneteau UK Sales Manager, said.

One of the new Beneteau models on show at Paris 2012 and Boot 2013 in Düsseldorf will be the Sense 46, expanding the popular Sense range. This new addition provides keen sailors with the choice between fourunique models (43', 46', 50' and 55') in the intelligently designed, comfortable cruising monohull.

The Barracuda 7, the latest addition to the successful Barracuda brand in Beneteau's range of sport fishing vessels, will also be on show at Paris and Boot 2013 in Düsseldorf. The Barracuda range has been well received by recreational fishermen around the world from the fjords of Northern Europe, to the Mediterranean and the US coasts.

#BOATS FOR SALE – A 2001 single–owner model of one of Beneteau's most popular cruising yachts is on the market priced €115,000 on the Afloat Boats for Sale site.

This Beneteau Oceanis 411 is already located for Mediterranean cruising, based in MDL Marina's new facility in Sant Carles de la Rapita, an hour's drive south from Barcelona's Reus airport. If required, her berth in Sant Carles is ready to transfer to her new owner, according to the advert.

Sunny side of life: The Beneteau Oceanis 411 on her Mediterranean berth

Relatively little used in her ten years, the owner says she is fitted throughout for comfortable and safe cruising. The full details are here.

#BOATS FOR SALE – Two 40-foot sailing cruisers have gone on sale on the Afloat boats for sale site today one priced at €249,500 and the other at €74,950. They're on sale through popular Cork broker Crosshaven Boatyard who currently has 63 yachts on offer on the boats for sale site. 

The €249,000 boat is the American built Sabre 426. Built in 2004 and commissioned in 2005, this Sabre 426 is a moderate displacement cruising yacht with 'excellent performance' according ot the broker. The boat comes with cherry interior, two heads, 55HP Yanmar, Bow Thruster, 2010 fully battened mainsail, plotter, radar and heating. There has only been one owner since new. 

Sabre's attention to detail as a boat builder is well known. Whether it be the style and grace of the 426's shear, the details of the deck tooling or the details found in the hand crafted interior joinery. The full advert is here.

The €74,950 yacht is a 1987 German Frers designed Beneteau Idylle 13.50. This boat has also had one owner since new. This yacht sleeps seven and has been well maintained. She had a major refit in 2010/2011, including a new engine, standing rigging and sails. All the details here.

#BOATSFORSALE – A very low usage and exceptionally well maintained family cruiser that 'wants for nothing' is for sale on the Afloat Boats for Sale site. The 1999 Beneteau Oceanis 311 Clipper has an inmast furling main and furling headsail. Below decks the forecabin has double berth and an Eberspacher warm air heating vented to main cabin and aft double (new 2009). The boat has been wintered ashore Dun Laoghaire every winter according to the seller. A substantial cradle is available as an extra. More details on the boat here. 

New to our Boats for Sale site is this Tony Castro 3/4 Tonner. "Strictly Business" is a one off Tony Castro 3/4 Ton design. She was built in 1988 and named "Bateleur 88" and was successfully campaigned by her then owner Chris Bonnar. Click here for the full listing including images and full spec and extras.

Our Boats for Sale website has been updated. We've listened to the needs of you, the buyers and sellers to bring you the site Ireland needs for boat trading.

Firstly, our aim is to generate Ireland's largest stock of quality boats for sale, in order to do this we've introduced a modest charge of €10 to list your boat for 60 days. We've simplified the steps involved to advertise your boat, and once you've walked through them here are some of the advantages your boat has to gain maximum exposure...

• Our aim is to offer Ireland's largest range of quality boats for sale.
• With upwards of 3,000 visitors per day and 70% of traffic from search engine queries, Afloat.ie is the number one boating portal site in Ireland.
• Your boat will be added to Ireland's largest boating mailing list with over 10,000 subscribers, giving your boat more exposure both at home and abroad
• There's tips too for buyers and sellers covering choosing a boat, asessing value, financing a boat, advertising a boat for sale and the necessary paperwork.
• Our aim is to provide an independent quality alternative where Irish boat buyer can meet Irish boat seller at a cost-effective price.