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Ireland's sailing, boating & maritime magazine

A Harbour Seal photographed at Dun Laoghaire Marina on Dublin Bay, Ireland. Also known as the common seal, is a true seal found along temperate and Arctic marine coastlines of the Northern Hemisphere. The most widely distributed species of pinnipeds, they are found in coastal waters of the northern Atlantic and Pacific oceans, Baltic and North seas. Photo: AfloatA photograph of a Harbour Seal taken at Dun Laoghaire Marina on Dublin Bay, Ireland. Also known as the common seal, this species can be found along temperate and Arctic marine coastlines throughout the Northern Hemisphere. They are the most widely distributed species of pinnipeds and can be found in the coastal waters of the northern Atlantic and Pacific oceans, as well as the Baltic and North Seas. Photo: Afloat

Displaying items by tag: Boating

dsc_04310_medium.jpg September League 2009 

 

Schull Harbour Sailing Club was founded in 1977 as a summer sailing club and from its inception it has activately promoted leisure and competitive sailing in Schull. The first commodore was Billy Pope who had sailed in the area from the fifties in his yacht Pendua. He was joined by his brother Teddy in Harbar.

In the early seventies Billy and his crew were instrumental in setting up Cape Clere regatta on the Wednesday before Schull Regatta.

Informal racing took place during the years 75/76 until a small committee drew up the first set of club rules.

The first clubhouse was a caravan, which was parked at the back of the stone beach, close to where the public toilets are now. This was used for many years, until the upgrade of the pier.

The first trophy was presented by Sean Barnett owner of Barnett’s Hotel for a club Fastnet Rock race and is still raced for every July.

The boats in the first race in addition to the Pope brothers were Michael Murphy’s Coral Ballerina, Ronnie Goods Tundercrest, George Dwyer’s Madcap, and Frank Godsons Lyre 11.

Additional boats quickly arrived with Paul Murray and Kit Pearson each purchasing an Offshore 8. Vincent O'Farrell arrived in his Elizabethan and Pat Whelan in his large Moody ketch, Charlene. Myles Ronan moved on from the Flying Fifteens, when he purchased Kiemar, and Al Bird campaigned his GK 24.

James O'Flynn and Tom O'Brien made a regular Saturday trip from Baltimore and Bill Hilliard sailed up from Rossbrin.

The number of races increased annually as each boat owner sponsored a race, and the season now runs from May to September.

A junior racing fleet quickly grew as the large number of member’s kids took to the water, and successful leagues and sail training courses were held over the years.

The club now organizes the successful Calves Week Regatta every August, having taken over the running of the event from the local Regatta Committee, and uses the impressive Fastnet Marine Center as its headquarters.

(Details and image courtesy of Schull Harbour Sailing Club)

 

Schull Harbour Sailing Club, Schull, Co. Cork, or c/o Michael Murphy, Vermont, Grange Road, Douglas, Co Cork. Tel: 021 429 1878, email: [email protected]

Have we got your club details? Click here to get involved

 

Published in Clubs
23rd July 2009

Irish RC Laser Class

Whether you are brand new to sailing, new to model sailing, an old salt, or a championship match-racing sailor, the RC Laser is the boat for you.

Sail almost anywhere – The RC Laser has a 16" keel. So anywhere you find knee-deep water, she will sail. Sail in the ocean, a pond or lake, a river or stream – or in your swimming pool, it makes no difference. The RC Laser sails beautifully in conditions from a zephyr up to 35 knots of wind – no joke!

Pedigree – The RC Laser is the design of world famous sailor and yacht designer Bruce Kirby. Of all his creations, the one-man Laser is the best known. Over 174,000 have been built to date, making the Laser the most popular racing class of all time, and an Olympic Class.

The RC Laser is a quarter scale model of that Laser with certain modifications for model performance – all carefully designed and tested by Bruce Kirby and Jon Elmaleh – another world class sailor.

This means the RC Laser has a pedigree, is proven and tested. It is not a toy designed by a toy company. When you sail this boat, the right things happen. If you make a mistake, it bails you out and keeps on sailing. You don't need to worry about breaking the boat, and you won't be disappointed with how well she sails.

An equal opportunity sailboat – the RC Laser is for kids, for adults, for seniors, even for the physically handicapped. She is the boat of choice for sailing schools and rental fleets because she is practically indestructible and very easy to handle. Plus she is a true one-design for competitive sailors that want to go for the gold.             

RC Laser sailors do have more fun! – it's true. RC Lasers are such reliable boats, you will be sailing when others have their boats ashore for repairs or adjustments. While you sail with the kids, others will be hiding their boat from their kids. Toughness, reliability, simplicity, and all weather capability means more fun!

No add-on expenses – The RC Laser comes complete so there are no hidden expenses. You even get four different color rolls of vinyl tape for your own creative boat markings.

We do offer a few accessories that folks have asked for, like a carrying bag, a folding cradle, and a rechargeable battery system. But the bottom line is, all you really need is 12 AA batteries for your radio control equipment and you are ready to sail right out of the box. Isn't that great?

(The above information courtesy of the Irish RC Laser Class). 

Irish RC Laser Class c/o Roger Bannon, President, Valentia, 36 Castlepark Road, Dalkey, Co. Dublin. Tel: 01 235 1812/087 650 4925, email: [email protected] or [email protected] 

There is a space for Irish boating clubs and racing classes to use as their own bulletin board and forum for announcements and discussion. If you want to see a dedicated forum slot for your club or class, click here 

Published in Classes & Assoc

In March 2009, Afloat's Graham Smith had this to say about the Flying Fifteens: "With the European Championships in Kinsale, it was a big year for the Irish F15 class which represented the bulk of the 56-boat fleet at the south coast venue. Britain’s Steve Goacher won the event with Darren Martin and Simon Murray of Strangford Lough YC the best of the local contingent. Click here for all the latest Flying Fifteen news.

It was a good year for the Whiterock pair who also won the Southern and Northern championships while the SLYC domination was completed with the two other regionals, the Easterns and Westerns, going to clubmates Roger Chamberlain and Brian McKee respectively.

More SLYC success seemed on the cards when the Nationals were held at Whiterock but just to upset the odds, Dave Gorman and Chris Doorly of the National YC stole all the thunder and emerged as the new Irish Champions. Twenty-six boats – up on the previous year – contested the top event from a total national fleet of approximately 160 boats found in 16 clubs and a few other locations around the country.

Next year (2010) is the 40th anniversary of the Dun Laoghaire F15 fleet. National Champion as at March 2009: David Gorman and Chris Doorly, National YC" 

 

A brief history of the Flying Fifteen Fleet within Ireland, courtesy of The Flying Fifteen Association of Ireland

Extracts have been taken from a document called ‘The Dun Laoghaire Flying Fifteen Fleet, The First 25 Years 1970–1995’, written by Peter O'Shea in June 1995. Thanks to Sean Nolan for acquiring a copy for the webmaster.

1948 – Three yachts built in quick succession at the Medina Yacht Yard at Cowes. The class was known as Dainty Ducks and changed to Flying Fifteens with the characteristic fortissimo lettering
 
1949 – The Flying Fifteen Association of Great Britain was formed, first secretary Squadron Leader Charles Nance.
 
1949 – Uffa Fox meets Prince Philip HRH Duke of Edinburgh, they became firm friends and frequently sailed together.
 
1950 – The people of Cowes present Prince Philip with his own Flying Fifteen ‘Coweslip’.
 
1954 – First hulls built from GRP produced in the UK.
 
1962 – Australian Flying Fifteen Association founded in Western Australia with Tally Hobbs as President and G.J. Sassella as secretary.
 
1963 – ‘Ffolly’ (no. 215), brought to Dublin by David Newmark. DBSC (Dublin Bay Sailing Club) agreed to give a start after much negotiation about  seaworthiness of the Flying Fifteen class. Jack Owens crewed on ‘Ffolly’ for the first three years. The hull was a Tormentor hull, which was the Windibank of the day. This is possibly the first Irish Flying Fifteen.

1968 – Irish Flying Fifteen seen moored alongside the Royal Irish Yacht Club. It appeared to be an all timber, varnished boat, with a turtle deck forward. This was built by Albert Foley, in a joinery works in Phibsboro, in the mid 60s, registered as number 1269, and called ‘Squalus’, to join the fleet in 1970, owned by Timothy Orr.

1969 – A summer of heavy winds in Dublin Bay. Arthur Lavery and Teddy (Bryan S.) Ryan spotted a fleet of Flying Fifteens sailing with comparative ease at Dinghy Week in Baltimore, while other classes were struggling in the inner harbour. Teddy Ryan and Arthur Lavery led the campaign to start a class in Dun Laoghaire, a minimum of 7 boats were required for a DBSC start. Teddy Ryan sailed in a ‘Copland’ Fifteen at Kinsale, which was imported by Bill Godkin. Teddy Ryan bought ‘Little Lady’ (no. 1092) at the agreed price of £634, including sails and trailer. Advertisement appeared in the Irish Times. On seeing the ad, Sean Nolan cancelled an order for a Mermaid in favour of a Flying Fifteen.  Bill Godkin was accepting multiple orders for Flying Fifteens.
Inaugural Meeting of the new Flying Fifteen Fleet in Dun Laoghaire was held on 24th September 1969.

1970 – The Flying Fifteen class started in DBSC as a result of Arthur Lavery's interest in the boat. Bryan S. Ryan agreed to front the start-up. They got the initial owners together as per this picture that appeared in the Irish Independent on 8-January-1970.

1970 – Initial eight boats from the Godkin yard were as follows:
‘Little Lady’, number 1092, owned by Teddy Ryan
‘Siobhan’, number 1257, owned by Arthur Lavery
‘Susele’, number 1258, owned by Michael Halpenny
‘Frankie’, number 1259, owned by Ronnie Kavanagh
‘Ffaoilean’, number 1260, owned by Jack Owens
‘Bonnie’, number 1262, owned by Noel O'Hare
‘Nicjac’, number 1263, owned by Sean Nolan
‘Fferocity’, number 1265, owned by Tony Neiland; and
‘Squalus’, number 1296, owned by Timothy Orr

1970 – First DLFF committee was elected:
Captain - Bryan S Ryan
Vice Captain - Noel O'Hare
Treasurer - Ronnie Kavanagh
Record Keeper - Jack Owens
Secretary - Michael Halpenny
The annual subscription was £1.00 (one pound)

1972 – Fleet trophies were presented: ‘Chase Trophy’ presented by Anthony Kenny; and ‘Flying Fifteen Gun’ presented by Michael Halpenny

1972 – Death of Uffa Fox, aged 74 (1898 - 1972).
 
1979 – ‘Mid Week Cup’ presented by Kevin Blake

1980 to 1990 – A decade of development and tightening of tolerances to achieve a Standard Hull shape based on the designs of the British yacht designer Roy Windebank. This decade also saw the introduction of exotic fibres in yacht construction such as carbon fibre, kevlar and honeycomb cores of nomex.
 
1982 – Sinking of ‘Gaffer’ Eric Colin, sailing ‘Gaffer’ (no. 2383), crewed by John McCambridge was racing in May near Dalkey Island, when they broached and filled the boat with water. ‘Gaffer’ could not be bailed out or righted, and just stayed afloat long enough for Eric and John to step aboard a passing cruiser ‘Nuit St. George’. ‘Gaffer’ was never seen again. Tom O'Connor wrote a 24-verse poem about the incident.

1982 – The fleet bank account was opened. Previously fleet money was held by the treasurer, in his/her own bank accounts.

1983 – 6 new boats to the fleet. Jack Roy bought ‘Frankie’, Jerry O'Neill bought 1261 now called ‘Bluebell’. Ray Duggan arrived with 1343 ‘Osprey’. David Algeo arrived with 2130 ‘Folklore II’. Some boats were disqualified from racing due to not meeting the safety standards National Yacht Club invests in an Electric Winch, allowing for the boats to come off the moorings and onto the hard for dry sailing and storage.

1984–1985 – Arrival of the Windibank. The National Yacht Club burnt down in 1984. Also seen was the first appearance of the Windibank hull. ‘Frizby’ (no. 2929) bought by Jack Roy and ‘Mary Foo’ (no. 2924) bought by Jerry O'Neill. ‘An Chuileann’ (no. 2937) owned by Maurice Byrne was bought and listed in 1985. Eric Colin and John McCambridge return to the fleet in ‘Ffootless’ (no. 2619), aptly named by the previous owners of ‘Gaffer’.

1984 – Jack Roy and Mal Nolan came 19th overall in the Worlds held in Kinsale. Dermot Baker, who owned ‘Shillelagh’ (no. 2463) presented the ‘Hells Gate’ trophy for the best boat in Olympic courses.

1985 – Computerised results now available for the Fleet events. Teddy Ryan responsible for introducing the system, with Ward Phillips taking over due to his speciality in computing. Westport SC newly formed, with results showing connections. NYC Regatta very rough, with several boats towed back into the harbour.

1985 – This year marked the sad loss of Noel O'Hare, who had stopped sailing since 1982, but had maintained contact with the fleet. Noel had been awarded title of ‘Mr. Personality of the Fleet’, as well as being a top class sailor. Noel was one of the founder members of the fleet.

1986 – Change of direction, under the Captaincy of Jack ‘Bligh’ Roy, shows introduction of Dry Sailing and Olympic Courses. Training course and lectures were setup and taken very seriously. The day of the ‘light hearted event’ had come to an end. Motivation for doing this was the Irish Championship to be held in the National yacht Club. Gerry Dunleavy and Roger Bannon gave freely of their time for tuning help. records indicate Gerry had been doing this since 1979. Roger Bannon and John Davies sailing in ‘Strange Magic’ (no 3037) won the Irish Championship, with Gerry Dunleavy and David O'Brien in ‘The Real Thing’ (no. 3108) coming in 3rd place. This was the last sailing year for Teddy Ryan, sailing in ‘Little Lady II’ (no, 2292). Teddy wanted to move to something bigger and drier. Heineken sponsored the fleet with £1,700. Roger Bannon's ‘Black Magic’ was exhibited at the boat show

1986 – Hurricane Charlie – 25/26 August 1986 brought Hurricane Charlie to the shores of Ireland. Considerable damage occurred to Dun Laoghaire boats, with 6 Flying Fifteens wrecked on the moorings by loose boats running through them. On the 26th the National Yacht Club slip was littered with bits and pieces of boats.

1986 – Flying Fifteen Association of Ireland (FFAI) was formed, with Jim Rodgers from the North as the first president and Jack Roy as Secretary.

1987 – ‘Ramtaffer trophy’ was presented to the fleet by Roddy and Jill. Roddy had retired from work and was re-locating to Scotland to setup a sailing school. Maurice Byrne (Captain during 1987) threw a Captain's party in his house, of such lavishness, complete with a group of four singers. the incoming captain, Ray Duggan, was seen with a very worried look on his face, and was heard enquiring if the Dubliner's would be expensive to hire for the night.

1987 saw the introduction of the ‘Gold’ and ‘Silver’ fleets. The intention was for a fair division of the spoils at the prize giving's. This did not stop the grumblings for some of the people.

1988 – Ray Duggan, Captain and author of the very witty fleet newsletters. Gerry Dunleavy becomes the British National Champion, sailing on the Clyde in ‘The Real Thing’ (no. 3108). His crew was David O'Brien. He went on to sail in the World Championship and achieved 9th place overall. Dun Laoghaire Motor Yacht Club hosted the East Coast Championship. Bray Flying Fifteen fleet started. Work continues on the plans to bring the 1992 World Championship to Ireland. Michael Horgan chaired a committee. The event was to be run by the National Yacht Club and not the Dun Laoghaire Flying Fifteen fleet. Jack Roy, Mal Nowlan, Paddy Lynch and Martin McCarthy were all heavily involved in planning, publicity, sponsorship and advice.

1990 – Handicap system for Gold/Silver/bronze fleets seemed to work well for championship events.
National Championships held in Westport again, due to the success of the same event the previous year. Heavy weather event was won by Gerry Dunleavy, crewed by Margaret Conway. East Coast Championship, sponsored by Heineken, was another heavy weather event, with Saturday blown out. It also signifies the sinking of another Flying Fifteen in Dublin Bay, by unlike ‘Gaffer’ it was seen again, strewn all over the strand in Sandymount.

1991 – World Championship (in Ireland) just around the corner. Training sessions arranged by special committee under Michael Horgan. Restrictions put in place to avert ‘cheque book’ sailing. Seven qualifying places allocated to Irish Boats

1992 – World Championships held in Ireland. Hosted by the National Yacht Club, the flying fifteen fleet worked hard to organise the event. 75 entrants, some from overseas. Irish National Championships preceded the event.
First Irish boat, sailed by John Lavery (son of Arthur Lavery) came in 20th position. Justin Burke came in 21st position.

1993 – Final introduction of hull measuring templates with reduced tolerances.
 
1993 – SailPower Marine of WA import the Windebank Mould X and commence production.
 
1993 – ‘Ffinally’ (no. 3352), sailed by Eric Cooney and Gabriel Greer, turns turtle in Dublin Bay, when hit by a sudden gust. The mast got stuck in mud, with the keel upright in the air. A passing Glen fired off a flare, alerting the rescue helicopter (already out doing drills) to come and rescue the two boys. Eric and Gabriel were pulled to safety and deposited on the East Pier. A Club launch was hi-jacked and the rescue operation was started. ‘Ffinally’ was discovered, upright, and sailing off on it's own through Dalkey Sound. The boat was sailed back single handed by Eric. The only damage done was a bent mast.

1994 – Death of a much loved Jill Hermon, who sailed with Roddy, and also assisted with fleet social activities.

1995 – 25th Anniversary  of the DLFF fleet. ‘Ffaoilean’ (no. 1260), one of the founding boats still in the fleet. Fleet size is 25 boats. ‘Ffangs’ (no. 3495) is the newest boat, owned by Justin Burke. Gerry Dunleavy has just received a brand new Ovington, unnamed or registered at time of writing.

1997 – 50th Anniversary, celebrated with a World Championships in Cowes, UK.

1998 – Final introduction of keel measurement templates with reduced tolerances.
 
1999 – Twelfth World Championships at Esperance Bay Yacht Club, WA
 
2001 – Flying Fifteen fleets established in South Australia at Goolwa and Adelaide.
 
2006 – Flying Fifteen World Championship held in the National Yacht Club, Dun Laoghaire

Flying Fifteen Association of Ireland

There is a space for Irish boating clubs and racing classes to use as their own bulletin board and forum for announcements and discussion. If you want to see a dedicated forum slot for your club or class, click here

 

Flying Fifteen International

History of the Flying Fifteen

Designed by the legendary Uffa Fox, the 6m (20ft) Flying Fifteen has maintained its reputation as an exciting and competitive two-man racing craft. It provides access to sailing at reasonable prices for men and women from 15 to 75 and beyond.

The most famous Flying Fifteen is “Coweslip” presented to the Duke of Edinburgh and Princess Elizabeth as a wedding present. Uffa Fox and Prince Philip frequently sailed together at Cowes.

The Flying Fifteen has been modernised over the years with Uffa Fox agreeing to changes towards the end of his life to improve the design specification and sail plan. By this time, the class had established itself in a number of countries and when John Calvert-Jones came from Australia and won the UK championships, the stimulus was provided for the move to seek international status. Under the guidance of Tom Ratcliffe, an International Federation of Flying Fifteen Associations was formed by nine countries from four continents. The first world championships were held in Perth, Australia in 1979 and subsequently have alternated between the Northern and Southern hemispheres biennially. The first European Championship took place in Spain in May 2004

(Above history courtesy of Flying Fifteen International website)

 

Published in Classes & Assoc
22nd July 2009

Laser SB3 Ireland

Laser SB3 Ireland is the class association for the largest and newest Irish keelboat class. We have over 90 boats in Galway, Lough Derg, Dunmore East, Cork, Kinsale, Belfast Lough, Howth and Dun Laoghaire. We represent the full spectrum of age, (ranging from 20 to 70+) and skill sets (from Olympians to occasional club sailors) playing at all levels for big trophies throughout the country. We have five regional championships each year and vibrant local racing too.

What about the boat?
It’s as much fun you can have at 16 miles an hour. The SB3 is fast, furious and fun – but surprisingly stable and easy to sail. In the light stuff it sails upwind beautifully and is tactical downwind, in the heavy it’s a beast uphill and a roaring pleasure the other way. It’s truly one design – the best sailors always win, which, perhaps, is not so good for the rest of us – but the fun makes up for it. It’s added value, to most, is that is can be rigged quickly, towed by a normal family car, has a great price point and, finally, it can be both slip and crane launched.

What to do and who to talk to?
If you are interested in getting involved we can help. Contact your local fleet captain from the list on the contact page page and they can organise a test drive, recommend second hand boats and generally tell you all about it. If you’re new, selected members of the class will also help you get started with tips and tricks sessions.

We’ll see you on the water!

Laser SB3 Ireland, c/o Joseph Hughes, Class Chairman, 4 Clanbrassil Terrace, Dublin 8. Tel. 087 747 8883, email: [email protected]

There is a space for Irish boating clubs and racing classes to use as their own bulletin board and forum for announcements and discussion. If you want to see a dedicated forum slot for your club or class, click here

Published in Classes & Assoc
22nd July 2009

IDRA 14 Class Association

idra.jpgFirst raced in 1946 and now fitted with a trapeze and spinnaker, the two-person IDRA 14 remains one of the most popular adult dinghy classes in Dublin Bay. ISA affiliated

# LOA: 14Ft
# SA: 110 SQ. FT
# Spinnaker: 140 SQ FT
# Hull Wt: 325lbs (min) 

 

Afloat's Graham Smith wrote about the IDRA 14 in March 2009: "The same clubs in three locations also actively promote the classic clinker-built IDRA14 and 34 boats continue to enjoy their racing at club and open meeting level. Two boats, built in 1947 and 1950 respectively, rejoined the class in 2008 after remarkable restoration work by their owners.

Despite being a Dublin-based class, it does like to travel and last year saw a dozen boats head to Carlingford for the Northerns where Pat O’Neill and Rick Morris of Clontarf took the title.

Almost twice that number – 65% of the national fleet – were attracted to Sligo for the National Championships where Sutton’s Alan Carr and Aoibhin de Burca took the honours in the Gold Fleet and clubmates Gordon Kelly and Mark Masterson headed the Silver Fleet.

Carr and de Burca also won the October Series and Gerry O’Hanlon and Paul McNally sailed their beautifully re-built Charmain to victory in the IDRA Open at Clontarf. The IDRAs’ sister class in the UK, the Dragonflies, celebrates its 60th anniversary next year and a contingent of the 14s will travel to Suffolk to help mark the occasion. National Champions (2009): Alan Carr and Aobhin de Burca, Sutton DC."

 

IDRA 14 Class Association, IDRA 14 Class Commodore, c/o 126 Ballinteer Close, Dublin 16. Tel: 086 155 8632, email: [email protected]

or

Jennifer Byrne, Secretary, 2 Spencer Villas, Glenageary, Co Dublin. Tel: 01 2802131, email: [email protected]

 

There is a space for Irish boating clubs and racing classes to use as their own bulletin board and forum for announcements and discussion. If you want to see a dedicated forum slot for your club or class, click here

Published in Classes & Assoc
22nd July 2009

Galway Bay Sailing Club

ukoppynats09.jpgLeft: Irish U–12 Squad at UK Optimist Nationals

Galway Bay Sailing Club is based in Renville Oranmore, approximately 7 miles from Galway City. The club is renowned for the warm welcome it extends to its members and visitors alike. It organises and facilitates the racing and sailing of dinghies, cruisers and multihulls for adults and junior members. The club also offers training and instruction to adults, juniors and non-members.

The clubhouse with bar and catering facilities opens on Sundays afternoons and also Tuesday and Wednesday nights from April to September to facilitate the various racing fleets During the remaining months it opens on Sundays for dinghy racing and on Wednesday nights for talks and social events. The club has played host to many successful Regional and National Regattas with racing taking place against the backdrop of beautiful Galway Bay.

Galway Bay Sailing Club (GBSC), Rinville, Oranmore, Co. Galway

(Details and image courtesy of Galway Bay Sailing Club) 

Have we got your club details? Click here to get involved

Published in Clubs

Spoiled for Choice

There’s no shortage of one-design classes from which to choose and each gives its enthusiasts great competition, fun and camaraderie, writes Graham Smith in this review of the classes. A profile of each active class in Ireland is supplied below; just click on the title link (in bold) or the Class Association link to go directly to the information.

One-design racing is where it all starts. It is, after all, where all the top sailors earned their stripes, battling away for line honours without a thought for a handicapper’s calculator wiping away a hard-fought victory!

Indeed, you could count on less than one hand the number of top Irish sailors who didn’t cut their teeth in a one-design dinghy! Just think of Cudmore, Barrington, Watson, Wilkins, Hennessy and Dix to name a few and you realise that they honed their skills in everything from Enterprises to Lasers and a lot in between.

At present count, there are a little over 30 one-design classes in Ireland, split almost evenly between dinghies and keelboats, a statistic which might raise a few eyebrows. They range from the long-established Mermaids, IDRA14s and Dragons to the newer additions like Fevas, Topaz and RS Elite. They all fill a particular need and give their owners and crews considerable enjoyment.

Many have attracted their World or European Championships to Irish waters over the years and while 2009 is notable for a lack of such events here, the following year will see the Etchells Worlds at Howth and perhaps a few other international regattas too.

In addition to the review, we asked each class to complete a questionnaire giving details of their fleet numbers, whether they were on a growth pattern or holding their own, so we could highlight those ‘on the up’ and those remaining static in terms of numbers. The older traditional designs, as you might imagine, fall into the latter category, although that’s not a negative!

 

CLASS REVIEW  The State of the Classes – League Table (as at February 2009)

S = Static; U = Up/growing

275     Optimist   U

200+   Laser   S

189     Mermaid   S

160     Flying Fifteen   S

130     RS Feva   U

115     Shannon One Design    U

100+   Mirror   S

100+   Topper   U

99       Topaz   U

94       Laser SB3   U

87       GP14   U

85       Squib   S

70       Fireball   S

70       Ruffian   S

60       J24   S

60       Shipman   S

52       Dragon   S

50       RS400/200   S

50       420    U

43       Multihulls    U

42       Dragon    S

40       Water Wags    U

40       Wayfarer    S

34       IDRA14    U

33       Puppeteer    U

28       Etchells    S

27       E-Boat    U

26       Glen    S

25       Enterprise    S

18       Sigma 33    S

18       Howth 17    U

13       RS Elite    U

Published in General

Welcome to the CRYC web site which we hope will be of interest to members and visitors alike. Established in 1864, the CRYC is one of the oldest inland waterway clubs in the British Isles. Located in the centre of Galway City it continues to provide facilities for water-based recreational activity for almost 300 members.

Corrib Rowing & Yachting Club, Earls’ Island, Distillery Road, Newcastle, Galway. Tel: 091 564560, email: [email protected]

(Details courtesy of Corrib Rowing & Yachting Club) 

Have we got your club details? Click here to get involved

Published in Clubs

The North Coast Personal Water Craft (NCPWC) Club is the first Jet ski club and the first RYA Affiliated jetski club in Ireland. It is a non-profit making club ran run by 'jet-skiers' for 'jet-skiers' to ensure the continuation of the sport along the North Coast of Ireland and inland water of the River Bann and Lough Neagh. It was formed at the end of the 2005 by jet skiers.

Our aim is to promote the use of personal watercraft (jet-bikes and jet-skis) along the North Coast of Ireland, the River Bann and Lough Neagh by ensuring that all club members abide to local bye-laws, maritime laws and current legislation. We will allow our members to use our website to arrange 'meets' and social gatherings.

By promoting our sport as being safe and fun we will develop facilities for our members in conjunction with local authorities. We can provide training courses for PWC', thus promoting safety through a qualified RYA instructor.

All members are encouraged to attain a PWC certificate and must hold a valid certificate of insurance at all times prior to using the beach, River Bann or Lough Shore at Antrim for launching personal watercraft.

The North Coast PWC Club has and will continue to work closely with Limavady; Antrim & Coleraine Borough Council’s and will also work with any other organisations or bodies that have a valid interest in the use of Benone Beach, River Bann and Lough Neagh where we are active as a club.

(Details courtesy of North Coast Personal Watercraft Club) 

North Coast Personal Watercraft Club

Have we got your club details? Click here to get involved
 

Published in Clubs
21st July 2009

Heritage Boat Association

The Heritage Boat Association’s aspiration is to protect, promote and celebrate the floating heritage on the inland waterways of Ireland. What's remaining of our Floating Heritage provides us with a direct link to the past and includes both commercial and pleasure craft that plied the inland waterways through the different eras of the canal, lake and river systems.

If you are interested in Irish barges, canal boats, lighters, old wooden boats, steam tugs, steam yachts, sailing barges, historic boats that have ended up on the Irish inland waterways or our work, do contact us.
 
So - what is so interesting about Heritage Boats?

A Heritage Boat is described as being consistent with the provisions of the Heritage Act 1995, to mean a boat over 25 years old which is of significance because of it’s intrinsic construction or because of it’s association with the commercial, cultural, economic, industrial, military, political, social or other history of the country. 

'Celebrating Ireland's Floating Heritage'

Heritage Boat Association  

Published in Organisations
Page 9 of 16

For all you need on the Marine Environment - covering the latest news and updates on marine science and wildlife, weather and climate, power from the sea and Ireland's coastal regions and communities - the place to be is Afloat.ie.

Coastal Notes

The Coastal Notes category covers a broad range of stories, events and developments that have an impact on Ireland's coastal regions and communities, whose lives and livelihoods are directly linked with the sea and Ireland's coastal waters.

Topics covered in Coastal Notes can be as varied as the rare finding of sea-life creatures, an historic shipwreck with secrets to tell, or even a trawler's net caught hauling much more than just fish.

Other angles focusing the attention of Coastal Notes are Ireland's maritime museums, which are of national importance to maintaining access and knowledge of our nautical heritage, and those who harvest the sea using small boats based in harbours where infrastructure and safety pose an issue, plying their trade along the rugged wild western seaboard.

Coastal Notes tells the stories that are arguably as varied as the environment they come from, and which shape people's interaction with the natural world and our relationship with the sea.

Marine Wildlife

One of the greatest memories of any day spent boating around the Irish coast is an encounter with Marine Wildlife. It's a thrill for young and old to witness seabirds, seals, dolphins and whales right there in their own habitat. And as boaters fortunate enough to have experienced it will testify, even spotting a distant dorsal fin can be the highlight of any day afloat. Was that a porpoise? Was it a whale? No matter how brief the glimpse, it's a privilege to share the seas with Irish marine wildlife.

Thanks to our location in the North Atlantic, there appears to be no shortage of marine life to observe. From whales to dolphins, seals, sharks and other ocean animals, the Marine Wildlife category documents the most interesting accounts around our shores. And we're keen to receive your observations, your photos, links and video clips, too!

Also valuable is the unique perspective of all those who go afloat, from coastal sailing to sea angling to inshore kayaking to offshore yacht racing, as what they encounter can be of great importance to organisations such as the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG). Thanks to their work we now know we share the seas with dozens of species who also call Ireland home. But as impressive as the list is, the experts believe there are still gaps in our knowledge. Next time you are out on the ocean waves, keep a sharp look out!

Weather

As an island in the North Atlantic, Ireland's fate is decided by Weather more so than many other European countries. When storm-force winds race across the Irish Sea, ferry and shipping services are cut off, disrupting our economy. When swollen waves crash on our shores, communities are flooded and fishermen brace for impact - both to their vessels and to their livelihoods.

Keeping abreast of the weather, therefore, is as important to leisure cruisers and fishing crews alike - for whom a small craft warning can mean the difference between life and death - as it is to the communities lining the coast, where timely weather alerts can help protect homes and lives.

Weather affects us all, and Afloat.ie will keep you informed on the hows and the whys.

Marine Science

Perhaps it's the work of the Irish research vessels RV Celtic Explorer and RV Celtic Voyager out in the Atlantic Ocean that best highlights the essential nature of Marine Science for the future growth of Ireland's emerging 'blue economy'.

From marine research to development and sustainable management, Ireland is developing a strong and well-deserved reputation as an emerging centre of excellence. Whether it's Wavebob ocean energy technology to aquaculture to weather buoys and oil exploration, the Marine Science category documents the work of Irish marine scientists and researchers and how they have secured prominent roles in many European and international marine science bodies.

Power From The Sea

The message from the experts is clear: offshore wind and wave energy is the future. And as Ireland looks towards the potential of the renewable energy sector, generating Power From The Sea will become a greater priority in the State's 'blue growth' strategy.

Developments and activities in existing and planned projects in the pipeline from the wind and wave renewables sector, and those of the energy exploration industry, point to the future of energy requirements for the whole world, not just in Ireland. And that's not to mention the supplementary industries that sea power projects can support in coastal communities.

Irish ports are already in a good position to capitalise on investments in offshore renewable energy services. And Power From The Sea can even be good for marine wildlife if done properly.

Aside from the green sector, our coastal waters also hold a wealth of oil and gas resources that numerous prospectors are hoping to exploit, even if people in coastal and island areas are as yet unsure of the potential benefits or pitfalls for their communities.

Changing Ocean Climate

Our ocean and climate are inextricably linked - the ocean plays a crucial role in the global climate system in a number of ways. These include absorbing excess heat from the atmosphere and absorbing 30 per cent of the carbon dioxide added to the atmosphere by human activity. But our marine ecosystems are coming under increasing pressure due to climate change.

The Marine Institute, with its national and international partners, works to observe and understand how our ocean is changing and analyses, models and projects the impacts of our changing oceans. Advice and forecasting projections of our changing oceans and climate are essential to create effective policies and management decisions to safeguard our ocean.

Dr Paul Connolly, CEO of the Marine Institute, said, “Our ocean is fundamental to life on earth and affects so many facets of our everyday activities. One of the greatest challenges we face as a society is that of our changing climate. The strong international collaborations that the Marine Institute has built up over decades facilitates a shared focusing on our changing ocean climate and developing new and enhanced ways of monitoring it and tracking changes over time.

“Our knowledge and services help us to observe these patterns of change and identify the steps to safeguard our marine ecosystems for future generations.”

The Marine Institute’s annual ocean climate research survey, which has been running since 2004, facilitates long term monitoring of the deep water environment to the west of Ireland. This repeat survey, which takes place on board RV Celtic Explorer, enables scientists to establish baseline oceanic conditions in Irish waters that can be used as a benchmark for future changes.

Scientists collect data on temperature, salinity, water currents, oxygen and carbon dioxide in the Atlantic Ocean. This high quality oceanographic data contributes to the Atlantic Ocean Observing System. Physical oceanographic data from the survey is submitted to the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas (ICES) and, in addition, the survey contributes to national research such as the VOCAB ocean acidification and biogeochemistry project, the ‘Clean Atlantic’ project on marine litter and the A4 marine climate change project.

Dr Caroline Cusack, who co-ordinates scientific activities on board the RV Celtic Explorer for the annual survey, said, “The generation of long-term series to monitor ocean climate is vital to allow us understand the likely impact of future changes in ocean climate on ecosystems and other marine resources.”

Other activities during the survey in 2019 included the deployment of oceanographic gliders, two Argo floats (Ireland’s contribution to EuroArgo) and four surface drifters (Interreg Atlantic Area Clean Atlantic project). The new Argo floats have the capacity to measure dissolved ocean and biogeochemical parameters from the ocean surface down to a depth of 2,000 metres continuously for up to four years, providing important information as to the health of our oceans.

During the 2019 survey, the RV Celtic Explorer retrieved a string of oceanographic sensors from the deep ocean at an adjacent subsurface moored station and deployed a replacement M6 weather buoy, as part of the Irish Marine Data Buoy Observation Network (IMDBON).

Funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, the IMDBON is managed by the Marine Institute in collaboration with Met Éireann and is designed to improve weather forecasts and safety at sea around Ireland. The data buoys have instruments which collect weather and ocean data including wind speed and direction, pressure, air and sea surface temperature and wave statistics. This data provides vital information for weather forecasts, shipping bulletins, gale and swell warnings as well as data for general public information and research.

“It is only in the last 20 years, meteorologists and climatologists have really began to understood the pivotal role the ocean plays in determining our climate and weather,” said Evelyn Cusack, Head of Forecasting at Met Éireann. “The real-time information provided by the Irish data buoy network is particularly important for our mariners and rescue services. The M6 data buoy in the Atlantic provides vital information on swell waves generated by Atlantic storms. Even though the weather and winds may be calm around our shores, there could be some very high swells coming in from Atlantic storms.”