Two of the UK's most vibrant, exciting one design keelboat classes are spearheading a spike in early entry numbers for the Brewin Dolphin Scottish Series, the north of the UK's most prestigious annual sailing event.
The SB3 class and the RS Elite keelboats which appeal to different markets – the SB3 a fast, exciting planing sportsboat, and the RS Elite a refined, but simple to sail modern classic, are leading and encouraging an increase in activity for some of the more accessible, sporty classes for this year's Brewin Dolphin Scottish Series.
The SB3 class is building steadily again in Scotland and the North of Britain is promising the biggest turnout ever for the class on the waters of Loch Fyne with 12 owners already promising to compete, reflecting the renewed interest in the SB3 as an affordable, exciting three to four person strict one design, which has a global following.
And the RS Elite class is promising to draw around 10 boats, most making the enjoyable pilgrimage to Tarbert from Ireland.
"We are very excited to see these classes forming at reasonable strength already, thanks in some ways to the hard work being put in by some of the leading lights of both fleets, but we are hopeful that this regatta will be the catalyst for further growth for the Brewin Dolphin Scottish Series at Tarbert, Loch Fyne," reflects Johnny Readman, event organiser.
For the SB3 class, racing at the Brewin Dolphin Scottish Series will be for the Scottish Championship title.
Doug Paton, defending champion and class captain in Scotland, will be looking to defend the title he and his crew won on the Clyde last year, racing F.C -N.K. in a bigger stronger fleet. Dublin Bay's Brian Moran and his crew expected to be casting their challenge with Shark Bait, looking to add the Scottish title to the Irish Championship which they won last year against a fleet of more than 30 boats on their home waters. Among the top contenders from the North of England will be Sunderland's John Outhwaite and his crew on Baloo.
A new initiative which facilitates easy, economic dry sailing: the SB3's has gained considerable traction for the class at the new James Watt Dock Marina at Greenock on the Clyde. The class has worked tirelessly to create an attractive package for SB3 at the Brewin Dolphin Scottish Series, including a £43 package price on the Bute ferry which reduces the driving time from Gourock to Portavadie to 50 minutes. They have secured a package price for accommodation at Portavadie Marina at £45/per three person room per night.
The RS Elite class has become a regular feature of the Brewin Dolphin Scottish Series which features on the class Grand Slam Series for the first time since 2010. Edinburgh's Shaun Maclean on Elixir has been the most consistent winner in the class at Tarbert and is looking to defend his Tarbert record in June. Among those Scottish crews which are likely to challenge are the Forth's Carl Allen in More T Vicar. A strong contingent is expected from the Royal North of Ireland YC.
"The main thing about the RS Elite is it is so easy to use. I sailed in the Dragon Class for 20 years and with the Elite you turn up, put the boat in the water and it is easy to go sailing with a minimum of fuss and controls to worry about. I enjoy proper Championship races, a maximum number of windward-leeward races in a day, and so look forward to that at Tarbert this year. It is a very good showcase for the class, nice simple, quick boats and we hope that others will be persuaded to join the class," says Maclean who finished runner-up at the RS Elite UK National Championships on the Forth last year.
