Displaying items by tag: Sailing Ireland

16th April 2010

Expansion at Scotland's Oban Marina

With a total investment of £110,000 on the latest phase of developments at Oban Marina on the Isle of Kerrera, the marina is set for another successful season. Varis Engineering from Inverness supplied 24 new 12-metre finger pontoons that have been installed by Tobermory’s North West Marine in time for the influx of visiting boat owners this season.

Over the past five years, the owners of Oban Marina - who also hold in their business portfolio the highly acclaimed Nanny Cay Resort and Marina in Tortola, BVIs - have gradually upgraded and expanded their Scottish West Coast marina base which has seen an increase in visitors year-on-year. It has proved a popular stopover for international, south coast and local boat owners and this season will see the greatest number of visiting rallies and events hosted at Oban Marina – a great boost for the local economy.

The marina will host several new events as well as welcome back annual regattas including:

· The Three Peaks Yacht Race on 21st May

· The Festival of the Sea Open Day on 31st May (in association with the Scottish Association for Marine Science)

· The Great British RIB Rally on the 17th June

· The Clyde Cruising Club’s Centenary Dinner on 30th July

· West Highland Yachting Week on 1st August.

General Manager, Susan Deacon says: “This is a very exciting time for Oban Marina and it’s great that we are attracting such high profile events and regattas to the area. It’s good for everyone. Also, with 24 new 12m finger pontoons, we have the extra capacity and can now accommodate a total of 145 boats: up to 115 boats on pontoon berths and 30 on swinging moorings. We’ve also added three extra showers to help service the new berths and cut down on those summer queues. Last year a new water desalination unit was installed and this now provides plenty of water during the prime months.”

The provision of a much larger ferry for the Oban Marina to Oban shuttle service, allowed a greater numbers of visitors and marina/regatta guests to cross with ease to Oban throughout the season last year. Once again, the 63-person passenger service is running from 1st April through to the end of September 2010 and will be free for everyone on the Festival of the Sea Open Day on May 31st. The larger ferry proved a boost to visitor numbers to Kerrera, with many coming over for lunch at the popular Waypoint Grill & Bar.

Published in Coastal Notes

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When is the next Fastnet Race?

The 49th edition of the biennial Rolex Fastnet Race will start from the Royal Yacht Squadron line in Cowes, UK on Sunday 8th August 2021.

What's new about the 2021 Fastnet Race?

The next two editions of the race in 2021 and 2023 will finish in Cherbourg-en-Cotentin at the head of the Normandy peninsula, France

What will the fleet size be for the 2021 Fastnet Race?

Over 300. A record fleet is once again anticipated for the world's largest offshore yacht race.

Who races in the Fastnet Race?

The international fleet attracts both enthusiastic amateur, the seasoned offshore racer, as well as out-and-out professionals from all corners of the world.

What types of boats compete in the Fastnet Race?

Boats of all shapes, sizes and age take part in this historic race, from 9m-34m (30-110ft) – and everything in between.

What is the multihull Fastnet Race record?

The Fastnet Race multihull course record is: 1 day 4 hours 2 minutes and 26 seconds (2019, Ultim Maxi Edmond de Rothschild, Franck Cammas / Charles Caudrelier)

What is the monohull Fastnet Race record?

The Fastnet Race monohull course record is: 1 day, 18 hours, 39 minutes (2011, Volvo 70, Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing).

Who won the 2019 Fastnet Race?

David and Peter Askew's American VO70 Wizard won the 2019 Rolex Fastnet Race, claiming the Fastnet Challenge Cup for 1st in IRC Overall.

How long has Rolex sponsored the Fastnet Race?

Rolex SA has been a longstanding sponsor of the race since 2001.

When was the first Fastnet Race held?

The first race was in 1925 with 7 boats. The Royal Ocean Racing Club was set up as a result.

What boat was the winner of the first Fastnet Race?

The winner of the first Fastnet Race was the former pilot cutter Jolie Brise, a boat that is still sailing today.

Was there an Irish entry in the first Fastnet Race?

Cork sailor Henry P F Donegan (1870-1940), who gave his total support for the Fastnet Race from its inception in 1925 and competed in the inaugural race in his 43ft cutter Gull from Cork.

Has Ireland every won the Fastnet Race?

Ireland has won the Fastnet Race twice. In 1987 the Dubois 40 Irish Independent won the Fastnet Race overall for the first time and then in 2007 – all of twenty years after Irish Independent’s win – Ireland secured the overall win again this time thanks to Ger O’Rourke’s Cookson 50 Chieftain from the Royal Western Yacht Club of Ireland in Kilrush.

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At A Glance – Fastnet Race