Afloat – Ireland's Sailing and Boating Magazine
World’s Largest Hybrid and Double-Ended Ferry 'P&O Pioneer' Makes Dover-Calais Debut
19th June 2023 Ferry
P&O Pioneer which is the world's largest hybrid and double-ended ferry made its maiden commercial crossing on the English Channel this Monday in a step towards greener travel at sea. The newbuild, the first of twins ordered by P&O Ferries…
Last week, the International Wayfarer gathering in Strangford Lough attracted over 40 visitors from as far away as the USA and from mainland Europe. The event was hosted by East Down Yacht Club on the west side of the Lough.…
Irish SB20 team TED of Michael O’Connor, Davy Taylor and Edward Cook from the Royal St. George Yacht Club, who have already shown good speed this season in Portugal and the North Sea Regatta and who just missed the podium…
New National Yacht Club J112e 'Valentina' Enjoys Debut Success at UK's Key Yachting J Cup
19th June 2023 National YC
John Treanor's brand new J112e from the National Yacht Club made a perfect debut when she won her class at the UK's Key Yachting J-Cup Regatta at the Royal Southern Yacht Club on the Hamble river on Sunday. Treanor won, having…
91 boats crossed the Royal Yacht Squadron Line for the RORC Morgan Cup Race from Cowes to Dartmouth. A weak sea breeze and a favourable tide got the fleet away to a smooth start to the east, but as the…
In light winds off Navy Pier, New Zealand best mastered tough conditions in front of packed shorelines to win the season-opening Rolex United States Sail Grand Prix in Chicago. Peter Burling led his team to victory over Tom Slingsby’s Australia…
The colourful three-day gathering at the Crosshaven Traditional Sail 2023 was the annual get-together of vintage boats of all shapes and sizes in Cork Harbour at the weekend. Boats arrived on Friday night at the Hugh Coveney Pier in Crosshaven…
The Isles of Scilly, an archipelago formed mainly of five larger inhabited islands at a mere 24 nautical miles off Cornwall, England, is simply another world, having recently travelled to with the Isles of Scilly Steamship Company, writes Jehan Ashmore.…
The Float to the Fleadh is back for 2023 with boats set to cruise the inland waterways to Mullingar from Saturday 5 to Sunday 13 August, supported by Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands and Waterways Ireland. It marks the second year that…
DMYC's 'Ruffles' is Ruffian 23 50th Anniversary Regatta Winner on Strangford Lough
18th June 2023 Ruffian 23
Friday’s post-sailing festivities at the Ruffian 23 Golden Jubilee on Strangford Lough kicked off with an evening with the Brown family, Michael Cutliffe, and Weatherly Yachts craftsmen. Michael Cutliffe gave a short presentation on the history of the Ruffian 23s…
NI Grandfather Says: ‘I’m Here to Celebrate Father’s Day This Year Because the RNLI Saved My Life’
18th June 2023 RNLI Lifeboats
A kayaker is thanking the RNLI for saving his life after the charity’s local volunteer lifeboat crew pulled him from the waves on Father’s Day last year. Grandad Glenn Bradley was enjoying the good weather and calm conditions in Cloughey…
The Ocean Race: Final Leg Opens Up as Fleets Begin to Spread Out Crossing Bay of Biscay
18th June 2023 Ocean Race
Both the IMOCA and VO65 fleets in The Ocean Race are finally free of the English Channel and into the more open waters of the Bay of Biscay/Celtic Sea/North Atlantic on Sunday (18 June). The mission now is to leave…
Conor O’Brien Honoured With Ilen Dun Laoghaire Celebration For Saoirse Circumnavigation Centenary
18th June 2023 Ilen
The Commemoration of the Centenary of the pioneering global circumnavigation south of the Great Capes by Conor O’Brien of Foynes, sailing the 42ft ketch Saoirse between June 20th 1923 and June 20th 1925, was put underway yesterday (Saturday) from Dun…
Although the biennial Sovereigns Cup might be the big focus at Kinsale Yacht Club this week, another aspect of the club was boosted over the weekend - its commitment to inclusiveness in sailing. The West Cork club welcomed Minister of State at the Department…
A team of three Donegal brothers have won the Three Island currach rowing challenge in Skerries, Co Dublin, this weekend. Simon, Ronan and Michael O Dómhnaill from Gaoth Dobhair had won the race for traditional currachs in 2021, and were…
Ilen Departure from Dun Laoghaire Harbour Marks Start of Conor O'Brien’s Saoirse Centenary Celebrations
18th June 2023 Historic Boats
The Royal Irish Yacht Club was the focus on Saturday afternoon for the beginning of celebrations of the centenary of Conor O'Brien's departure in Saoirse from Dun Laoghaire Harbour on his pioneering global circumnavigation. An Irish Cruising Club/Royal Cruising Club gathering was hosted…
Wildcard took 13th overall out of 75 boats at the inaugural J/70 Corinthian World Cup on Lake Garda earlier this month. This was a remarkable result especially for young helm Harry Twomey as it was his first time back sailing…
King’s Birthday Honour for RYANI Sailability Champion Bob Harper
17th June 2023 RYA Northern Ireland
Bob Harper, a dedicated sailing volunteer for almost 20 years, is among those named in the King’s Birthday Honours list on Saturday (17 June). Bob is awarded an MBE for services to sailing for people with disabilities in Northern Ireland…
Owens and Craig Show Flash as Lightning Curtails Day 1 of GP14 Munsters in Tralee Bay
17th June 2023 GP14
Day 1 of the 2023 GP14 Munster Championships on Saturday (17 June) saw 26 crews arrive at Tralee Bay Sailing Club. This was the first time in over 40 years the fleet had been in Fenit, writes Andy Johnston. PRO…
The Ocean Race Teams Battle Light, Challenging Conditions in English Channel
17th June 2023 Ocean Race
The five VO65s and three IMOCA boats racing to The Ocean Race Grand Finale in Genoa are battling light and challenging conditions as they work to exit the English Channel and begin the next phase of the race, in more…
