From two Impalas in the early days at East Down Yacht Club to 11 now is very satisfying progress at the club situated on the western shore of Strangford Lough. This would be the envy of many of the local sailing fraternity in Northern Ireland and indeed farther afield.
There are very few one-design cruiser fleets still racing competitively in Strangford Lough, or in Belfast Lough, so the EDYC burgeoning fleet of Impalas is attracting considerable interest.
Impala 28s racing as One Designs at East Down
But it has been the continuing addition of more of this popular 28ft design that has had a knock-on effect and now there are eleven. And indeed, another has arrived in the Lough recently, which I understand will be at nearby Strangford Lough Yacht Club – Mike Heath’s Jimmy Cricket is ready to race.
Impala Jimmy Cricket is new to Strangford Lough
At the inaugural Impala owners’ meeting in December 2020, it was decided that the class should develop towards a proper One Design Fleet with all boats complying strictly with class rules.
The hope now is to keep growing the fleet and to attract new club members interested in crewing or owning an Impala 28. They will be out in force at this weekend’s Spring Series two-day Open event at Quoile Yacht Club in the southwestern corner of the Lough.
