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Displaying items by tag: Spring Afloat

#afloatmag – Afloat's packed 64–page 2014 Spring issue hits the news stands next week (Monday, 24 March) with all the latest Irish sailing news and views.

In our latest news section, there's been a top prize for David Kenefick, and Kinsale Yacht Club too. Pilot boats are tested in the roughest seas off Cork harbour. We ask if sailing needs to chart a new course outside of the Olympics?

Also in news: Rio waters a sewer, 
boat reg rules imminent, Marine finance 
returns, Naomh Éanna's refuge, Kinsale 
 honours Mellett, Transat for Ireland?

There's a big 
summer in prospect for Greystones marina plus 50 more Irish 
boating stories! 

In features Dun Laoghaire's waterfront area and 
harbour is a hotbed of development and 
proposed projects but WM Nixon asks if the east coast port has lost the plot? W M Nixon confirms Irish hearts are still in wooden boats and with the recent lift in the economy is this the right time to bag a boating bargain? 

Our cover story tells how a young Irish rookie sailor lifted Afloat's
 top prize. Solo sailor David Kenefick's 
 fabulous debut season is reviewed.

safehavenspread

Rough times – Pilot boats storm tested Safehaven boats face the 
 biggest winter waves off Cork Harbour

kinsaleclubofyearspread

Club of the Year –  Kinsale Yacht Club is the Mitsubishi Motors 
 "Sailing Club of the Year" for 2014 in 
 celebration of an outstanding year in 2013

cruising

Keep on Cruisin' – John Leahy of the Cruising Association gives 
 an overview of 2014's activities

macsweeney

Stopping the decline – Tom MacSweeney speaks with cruiser
 racing's Denis Kiely on what can be done to 
 support sailing

inlandspread

Inland – Politicians ignore the real issues on the 
 waterways, says Brian Goggin

Plus all our regular departments full of Irish sailing and boating news

The Irish heart is still in 
 wooden boats

W M Nixon takes a look at some current 
 Irish wooden boat-building projects.

Owning your dreamboat

W M Nixon suggests that now may be the 
 best time to buy.

Classifieds
A selection of Afloat.ie's classified adverts

Dubarry Nautical Crossword
A nautical crossword with a great 
 boating prize

Soundings
Sean Walsh of Dun Laoghaire is the new 
 President of the Old Gaffers' Association

Published in News Update

Beneteau 31.7 sailing in Ireland

In Ireland, the Beneteau First 31.7 Ireland One Design Class Association encourages and develop the use of the Beneteau First 31.7 yacht as a one-design keelboat, mainly for racing. 

Each year the association stages national championships with boats coming from different sailing across Ireland. The main centre is Dun Laoghaire Harbour where the bulk of the fleet (15 boats) are based at the National Yacht club but are moored at Dun Laoghaire Marina.

The Beneteau 31.7 boat is not new to Dublin Bay, as boats of this size and type have competed in DBSC in the Cruiser 2 class for some years.

However during the 2006 season, due to their increased numbers, DBSC granted the class its own racing start, thereby facilitating one-design racing for this cruiser/racer. 

Since then it has become one of the biggest one-design keelboat classes on the Bay.

One-design rules were drawn up to discourage modifications, maintain a level playing field and set a generally ‘Corinthian’ ethos.

To preserve the cruising dimension, the boat races with cushions aboard.

Numbers entered in DBSC have settled down to approx 15-18 boats, and regular Thursday and Saturday attendances over the season are usually of the order of 14 to 16 boats, reflecting good participation by members. Racing is close and competitive. 

In addition to scratch results, ECHO results are also posted. This combines the best of both worlds, providing one-design racing which the members like, while also providing an incentive and interest in turning out for those boats who may not always approach podium position on scratch.

At A Glance – Beneteau First 31.7 Specifications

L.O.A 9.61 m
Hull length 9.50 m
L.W.L. 8.80 m
Beam 3.23 m
Draught min (Deep draught keel) Cast iron 1.90 m
Ballast weight (Deep draught keel) 1 025 kg
Air draught (max) 13.90 m
Light displacement (EC) 3 750 kg
Fuel capacity 30 l
Freshwater capacity 160 l
Engine power 21 HP

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