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Displaying items by tag: Ackland

The sailors of Galway and from further afield will be gathering at the Harbour Hotel in Galway City this Wednesday (December 2nd) at 8.0pm to inaugurate a Trust Fund in memory of Steven Ackland (1973-2015), whose sudden death in Galway Docks on Thursday July 30th shocked and saddened his many friends.

These numerous friends were to be found both on the West Coast – where he ran the chandlery Galway Maritime in the heart of the city – and in Dun Laoghaire, where he was a popular participant in Dublin Bay SC events.

On both coasts, he was known to everyone as “Acky”, and his expertise in everything to do with boats and their equipment was highly regarded. Leading Galway sailor John Killeen of Volvo Ocean Race fame - a friend of Acky’s since he settled in Ireland from his original base on the River Hamble in the south of England – has been persuaded to delve into his many international sailing memories and his huge collection of nautical images to put together a night of fast-moving reminiscences to provide entertainment to match the many fond memories left behind by Steven Ackland.

Admission will be €10, and additional contributions towards the Stephen Ackland Memorial Trust Fund will of course be very welcome.

Published in Galway Harbour
Tagged under

SB20 (formerly Laser SB3) information

Designed by Tony Castro, the SB20 is a British-built strict one-design 6.15m keelboat conceived as a wide appeal, affordable, competitive sportsboat for teams of three or four sailors. It is also, arguably, the most successful sportsboat in the world with 800 owners competing regularly in a programme of exciting local, national and international events.

Originally known as the Laser SB3, the SB20 continues to deliver on its pioneering promise: a boat that is fun, fast and easy to sail by anyone of any age; the best value-for-money sportsboat in the market.

The Laser SB3 was designed by Castro and launched in 2002. In 2007 the Laser SB3 was awarded ISAF Recognised Status and the first World Championships were held in Ireland in 2008. In 2012, Tony Castro appointed a new builder, Sportsboat World. At this time, the Laser SB3 was renamed the SB20 and building was returned to the UK from Malaysia. The ethos of the class continues.

The boat is a strict one-design class, economic to buy and campaign, easy to sail with a simple deck layout and electric downwind performance delivered by the generous sail plan. The boat has a lifting keel, can easily be launched from a slipway and towed behind a family car.

Previous SB20 World Champions

2008 GBR: Geoff Carveth, Roger Gilbert, Roz Allen & Sarah Allan

Host National Yacht Club, Dun laoghaire, Ireland

2009 GBR: Craig Burlton, Stephen White, Adam Heeley

Host Clube Naval de Cascais, Cascais, Portugal

2010 GBR: Jerry Hill, Grant Rollerson, Joe Llewellyn

Host Circolo Vela Torbole, Lake Garda, Italy

2011 GBR: Geoff Carveth, Andy Ramus, Ian Mills & Emma Clarke

Host Royal Torbay Yacht Club, Torquay, UK

2012 GBR: Geoff Carveth, Lesley Dhonau, Roger Hudson & Asenathi Jim

Host Hamilton Island Yacht Club, Queensland, Australia

2013 GRB: Craig Burlton, Stephen White, Adam Heley Host COYCH Club, Hyeres, France