Courtesy of the irish Ruffian Association website:

The Ruffian 23 is a 23 foot keelboat which was designed and built by brothers Dickie and Billy Brown of Portaferry, Co. Down, 35 years ago. The Ruffian 23 is a great one design racing boat, an extremely family-friendly boat, and despite its size, the Ruffian 23 has cruised waters around Ireland, the UK, and further afield. Approximately 200 Ruffians were built and many are still raced regularly in Dun Laoghaire, Wicklow, Skerries, Baltimore, Carrickfergus, Strangford Lough, around the Clyde, the Isle of Man, and even as far afield as Hong Kong and Uruguay.

An annual feature of the Irish Ruffian calendar is the North v. South Team Racing event which is held alternately in Carrickfergus and in Dun Laoghaire.

The Dun Laoghaire Ruffians also hold an annual inter-club team racing event with the most recent event being contested by the National Yacht Club, the Royal St. George Yacht Club, the Dun Laoghaire Motor Yacht Club, and Wicklow Sailing Club. It was held on June 29th and the holders, the National Yacht Club, retained the title.

The Irish Ruffian 23 National Championships took place over the weekend June 12–14 2009, hosted by the Royal St. George Yacht Club. Over 16 boats competed in a 7-race series over the 3 days.
 
Regional events take place each year – the Northern Championships hosted by Carrickfergus Sailing Club, the South East Coast Regatta hosted by Wicklow Sailing Club, and the South Coast Championships hosted by Baltimore Sailing Club.

A good fleet of Ruffians competes in the annual Lambay race, and a Ruffian, Shannagh, was the proud winner of the Lambay Lady trophy in 2004.

The original Ruffian was a 33ft Ocean Racer designed and built by brothers Billy & Dickie Brown in 1969/70. Such was her success that the brothers set up Weatherly Yachts and went into production with a smaller 23ft model.
 

Graham Smith wrote, in Afloat's March 2009 issue: "2008 marked the 35th anniversary of the Ruffians and the class celebrated by taking to the water in locations as far afield as Wicklow, Carrickfergus, Strangford Lough, Baltimore, Schull, the Isle of Man, Uruguay and Hong Kong! The Dublin Bay fleet assembled in a cruise-in-company in Dalkey Sound for some revelry to mark the occasion.   

In Ireland, there are 70 boats on the Ruffian books and while that figure is static, the fact that Schull has become a new venue is obviously a positive feature for the class enthusiasts. They will lose one enthusiast for next season though, with veteran Sean Murray retiring after 20 years of racing and extensively cruising his boat Icicle which will doubtless remain on the scene.

The highlight of the Ruffian competitive year is the National Championships and Derek Mitchell and the crew of Ruff Nuff from the Royal St George YC made it three wins in a row, finishing ahead of Robbie Keys from Skerries (who won the Traveller’s Trophy for his efforts) and 19 other boats. Next year, a team of 24 Ruffian sailors will travel to Hong Kong on St Patrick’s weekend for a team racing event against their Far East hosts. National Champion 2009: Derek Mitchell, Royal St George YC."

Irish Ruffian Association, c/o Cathy Booth, Secretary, 20 Highfield Grove, Rathgar, Dublin 6. Tel 01 496 2365, email: [email protected]

or

Bruce Carswell, Class Captain, email: [email protected] 

or

Alan Claffey, Hon. Secretary, tel: 087 818 0077, email: [email protected]

There is a space for Irish boating clubs and racing classes to use as their own bulletin board and forum for announcements and discussion. If you want to see a dedicated forum slot for your club or class, click here 

New to Ireland, the RS is the fastest growing dinghy fleet in the country. RS's are high performance asymmetric spinnakered dinghies. The 13ft RS200 and the larger 14ft 10in RS400 combine to provide high performance racing for all crew weights and abilities. Class members range from mid teens to mid fifties and compete together. Asymmetrical sailing provides a unique challenge to sailors who want to learn new skills, with tactical fleet racing downwind as well as upwind. The performance will attract the adrenalin junkies!

 
The RS Class in Ireland

The Irish RS Dinghy Class Association was formed in 2003 to promote the RS class in Ireland. The Association has adopted two dinghies, the RS200 and the RS400 to suit all crew combinations. Both are modern asymmetric spinnakered boats, providing an unparalleled blend of performance, ease of handling and tactical racing.

The RS fleet in Ireland is testiment to both of the dinghy's popularity. With an average growth rate of almost 10 boats per annum, the class is already the leading asymmetric class in the country and rivals most conventional classes in numbers.

The Irish RS National Championship now in its seventh year, forms part of a European circuit with events in the UK, France, Holland, and Italy. The Eurocup event not only attracts International standard racing to local waters but provides an easy avenue for Irish sailors keen to compete abroad.

The Irish RS Association

The Irish RS Dinghy Class Association was set up in 2003 to promote the RS Class in Ireland.

In just a short period of time, the RS class has become the largest asymmetric class in Ireland, with over 40 RS dinghies regularly sailing today. Interest in the class continues to grow as racing asymmetrics dinghies attracts sailors from traditional classes looking for the added tactical challenges and new skills that asymmetrics provide.

The Irish National Championships held annually, form part of the RS European Circuit, drawing competition of the highest calibre from abroad to race in Ireland. For the Irish sailor, this not only brings international racing to home waters, but also presents a ready made international circuit for those who want to race further afield.

Adopting both the RS200 and RS400 dinghies means that sailors of all ages, sizes and abilities are catered for. The RS class currently has sailors ranging from mid teens to mid fifties, both male and female competing against each other.

Irish RS Class Association, c/o Richard Moran, Secretary, 34 Delgany Court, Delgany Park. Tel: 087 234 7157, email: [email protected]

There is a space for Irish boating clubs and racing classes to use as their own bulletin board and forum for announcements and discussion. If you want to see a dedicated forum slot for your club or class, click here 

The following information courtesy of Killaloe Sailing Club:

Introduction to the RS Feva for Junior Sailing

RS Feva DinghyThe RS Feva/XL is a solid and roomy two-person dinghy constructed in polyethylene. The dinghy can be rigged with a gennaker and is an exiting and safe introduction to gennaker-sailing. The hull material is less fragile and does not require as much maintenance as fibreglass. Encapsulated buoyancy in the foam layer makes the RS Feva unsinkable. The mast is divided into two parts and can be stored along with boom in the length of the boat for easy transport.

A Big cockpit and high boom make the Feva really comfortable for youngsters and adults. The Feva is the perfect size and has rig options that allow easy handling by one sailor, family crews or friends. Her high volume hull makes light work of heavy sailors. Not only confidence inspiring and very easy to sail, the Feva is also the fastest of her type. A strict one design means no hidden costs, evenly matched performance and highly tactical racing.

In March 2005 the RYA annouced that the RS Feva was to become becomes a recognised junior class. The RS Feva has been recognised due to the boats popularity and the need to engage sailors through a modern dinghy. The class runs a comprehensive training programme and is highly attractive to young children.

Because it is handy on ground and joyful on the waves, the RS Feva is a first rate choice for clubs. RS Feva is also the dinghy for those parents who want to go sailing with their child.

Irish Feva Association, c/o Chris Craig, President, Beechfield, Monkstown Road, Monkstown, Co. Dublin. Email:[email protected]

There is a space for Irish boating clubs and racing classes to use as their own bulletin board and forum for announcements and discussion. If you want to see a dedicated forum slot for your club or class, click here  

Graphic Design and Printing Service

In Afloat's March 2009 issue, Graham Smith wrote the following: "Essentially an indigenous racer, the Puppeteer has records of 53 boats being built over the years, with 31 of them based in Howth where they regularly get 20 out for club races. It has tried in recent years to make it a strict one-design, but with northern boats racing under IRC, there are considerable differences between the boats so travelling north isn’t worth it! Click here for all the latest Puppeteer news and updates.

The Nationals, therefore, are held in Howth and 2008 saw 19 boats contest the event. The names usually found at the head of the fleet – Clarke, Stanley, May – were the pre-race favourites as usual and it was Garrett May and his crew who made the most of the circumstances to emerge as overall winners. National Champion 2009: Garrett May, Howth YC."

Puppeteer Class Association, c/o Noel Davidson, President, 'Haven', 59 St. Peter's Terrace, Howth, Co Dublin. Tel: 086 25 99 531, email: [email protected]

 
There is a space for Irish boating clubs and racing classes to use as their own bulletin board and forum for announcements and discussion. If you want to see a dedicated forum slot for your club or class, click here   

Cat Classes Sailed in Ireland

Racing Classes

Dart 18 – Blessington SC, Ballyholme YC, Swords S&BC

Dart 16 – Blessington SC, Ballyholme YC, Galway Bay SC, Swords S&BC, Mullingar SC

The Dart 16 and Dart 18 performance catamarans are raced in Irish Clubs by crews of all ages and are also ideal for fun 'off the beach' sailing. The Dart 16, with its furling jib and quickly reefed mainsail, is perfect for safe fun sailing. 

Irish International Dart Association, c/o Marjorie Mangan, Secretary, 47 Willington Crescent, Templeogue, Dublin 6w. Tel: 01 456 5060, email: [email protected]

 
Hurricane 5.9 – Swords S&BC, Blessington SC, Ballyholme YC

Left: A Dart Hawk

Formula 18 – Dart Hawk, Blessington SC; and Hobie Tiger, Royal Cork YC, Galway Bay SC, Blessington SC

Spitfire – Blessington SC, Ballyholme YC

Shadow – Blessington SC,  Galway Bay SC

A-Class – Royal Cork YC

Hobie 18 and Hobie 16 – Blessington SC, Ballyholme YC, Swords S&BC, Galway Bay SC

Hobie have something to suit everyone, from youth to Adults, beginners to high performance racing – a double-handed and single-handed class for the more adventurous. Racing is available at home and there's a strong International circuit in Europe. Cruising, the class have been known to make the occasional coastal voyage from Cork to Glandore and Cong to Galway. Cruising around Belfast Lough

Irish Hobie Class Association, c/o Yvonne Sheehan, Secretary, Avonmore, Cork Road, Mallow, Co Cork. Fax: 087 747 6051, email: [email protected]

Multihull Cruisers – Racers

Catamarans and Trimarans over 20ft (6m)

In the mid-80s there was a growing fleet of Cruiser-Racers between 22ft and 35ft. These catamarans and trimarans raced at Multihull events with the smaller racing catamarans, usually racing on a longer offshore course.

Some were damaged in Hurricane Charlie and the fleet dispersed in the late eighties. There are quite a few of the larger catamarans and trimarans in clubs around the Country.

We would like to establish contact with the owners of these Multihulls with a view to keeping a database of these boats and hopefully, organising some events, maybe in conjunction with one of the events on the Catamaran Racing Calendar. This could take the format of a Rally, perhaps with some handicap racing.

If you have a Cruising or Racing Multihull over twenty feet in length, based in Ireland, please email us at [email protected] or telephone 353 1 4565060.

If you have stories and photos of your cruises and trips around Ireland or abroad, we will print them on this page.

We hope for a good response and we will keep our website page updated.

(Above information courtesy of the Irish Multihull Association)
 

Graham Smith wrote, in Afloat's March 2009 issue: "There are 43 multihulls – comprising various catamaran types – racing actively in Ireland in six locations, statistics which confirm that there has been a small increase over the past year and underlining the ongoing passion which the multihullers have for their particular branch of the sport.

Almost half of them made it on average to the five regional events held during the season, which saw four different winners. Andrew Gallagher of Royal Cork ended up as National Champion in a 25-strong fleet on his home territory, having also won the Easterns on Dublin Bay with crew Jimmy Nyhan.

Clubmate Rob Doyle won the Southerns (also at RCYC) and Blessington’s Simon Kearns took the Western title, but 2008 was otherwise the year of the Ballyholme pairing of Adrian and Mike Allen. Together they won the Northerns and Inlands but also had the distinction of topping the leaderboard at the Brightlingsea Open British Hurricane 5.9 event. National Champion: Andrew Gallagher and Jimmy Nyhan, Royal Cork YC"

Irish Multihull Association, c/o Yvonne Sheehan, Secretary, 'Avonmore', Cork Road, Mallow, Co. Cork. Tel: 087 7476051

There is a space for Irish boating clubs and racing classes to use as their own bulletin board and forum for announcements and discussion. If you want to see a dedicated forum slot for your club or class, click here   

The Dublin Bay Mermaid class was designed by JB Kearney in 1932 and still going strong today. From the oldest Amy (No. 1) to the youngest Azeezy (No. 189), this 17ft clinker built wooden dinghy provides challenging and exciting sailing for three person crews in all weathers. Click here for the latest Mermaid news and updates.

Mermaids can be found in Dun Laoghaire, Clontarf, Skerries, Rush, Wexford, Foynes and Sligo.

Mermaid Sailing Association, c/o Paddy Archer, President, Sandy Lane, Rush, Co Dublin. Tel: 01 843 7089

or

R. Galbraith, Hon. Sec., email: [email protected]

or, if you have any photos or other material for the Mermaid website, contact Peter Scallan at [email protected]

(Above details courtesy of Mermaid Sailing Association)

Graham Smith, in Afloat's March 2009 issue, wrote: "Not too many new Mermaids are built these days but while the class might be categorised under the heading ‘static’, with 189 boats on the register, it’s a very healthy static!

Although turnouts at regional events only manage the mid-teens, the National Championships generally sees a big effort from all the Mermaid clubs. Last year even saw an increase on 2007, possibly because Rush in north county Dublin is more convenient for more sailors than Tralee the previous year. Niall McGrotty of Skerries, who won that championship for the first time, retained his title from 33 other Mermaid crews.

On the regional front, Jonathan O’Rourke of NYC won the Southerns in Foynes and Wexford’s Derek Joyce took the Easterns at Skerries. National Champion: Niall McGrotty, Skerries SC." 

There is a space for Irish boating clubs and racing classes to use as their own bulletin board and forum for announcements and discussion. If you want to see a dedicated forum slot for your club or class, click here

March 2009 and Afloat's Graham Smith wrote: "Static yet still thriving best describes the Howth 17 Footers but with an 18th boat currently being built and due for completion this winter, the class will, for the first time in its 110-year history, consist of more than 17 boats. A TV documentary is being made next year to tell the story behind this classic gaff-rigged boat, following the Class through its winter preparations, the 2009 season and the new boat construction.

On the water this year, the National (World!) Championships were again won by Peter Courtney and his crew of Oona, a boat which celebrates its centenary next year and is still considered one of the babies of the class! The Championship attracted 14 of the 17 boats, one better than the previous year. National Champion: Peter Courtney, Howth YC."

Howth 17 Footer Class Association, c/o Brian Turvey, Secretary, Howth Yacht Club, Harbour Road, Howth, Co. Dublin

There is a space for Irish boating clubs and racing classes to use as their own bulletin board and forum for announcements and discussion. If you want to see a dedicated forum slot for your club or class, click here

GP's have the largest and most active two person senior dinghy racing fleet in Ireland and we can prove it, by counting active boats and fleets. The GP is a one-design 14ft dinghy, raced by a crew of two. It is a three sailed 'mid-performance' boat which can be sailed safely in a wide range of sea and weather conditions, by moderately competent crew or it can be enjoyed while racing on the edge with spinnaker up in force 5 and 6 winds or tactically gaining inches, in a large championship fleet in a flat calm. It is a forgiving boat, easy to learn in and tolerant of a wide range of crew weight or experience.

There are seven national sailing events organised each year by the Class in Ireland. Each month from May to October there is at least one Open Meeting or Championship with attendances varying from 20 to 60 boats, depending on time of year, venue etc. On the water places are hotly contested by crews of the Gold, Silver and Bronze fleets from all around the country and off the water yarns and tips are just as hotly traded and good humored banter is the currency. Anyone who is even a little competitive soon gets hooked on the circuit and quickly makes new friends right across the spectrum of sailors both male and female. The GP14 has been popular here for 40 years and currently has fleets in 17 clubs around the country, where crews of all ages enjoy racing in brand new or older fibreglass or wooden boats costing from €1000 to €12000. The International Class Association keeps the GP14 up to date by continuous development and improvements, carefully designed not to prejudice older boats, while at the same time improving its appeal and ease of maintenance. Cost of ownership is kept down by a special class insurance scheme and restriction on the prices of major items such as sails and spars.

The GP14 Class Association of Ireland

There are about 400 GP's in Ireland with nearly 200 Association members and a strong organisation that looks after their interests with the help of the International Class Association, based in England. Our association provides a lot of help and guidance for members in areas such as Insurance, boat buying, boat tuning, race training, boat building, clubs where GP14s are sailed, World, National and Area Championships and Open Meetings etc.

In Ireland each year there are seven sailing meetings organised around the country including a Junior and Youth Championship, with entries ranging from 30 to 80 boats, most clubs are represented together with frequent visitors from the UK. There is a high standard of competition in the Class in Ireland, which has produced two World Champions and many ISA Champion of Champions and Irish boats regularly feature at the top of British Championships.

The Gp14 Class association of Ireland is organised on a regional basis by a volunteer committee who give of their time to ensure quality racing for all GP14 sailors. 

(Above details courtesy of the GP14 Class Association of Ireland) 

GP14 Class Association Of Ireland, c/o Tania MacHale, Secretary, Beech Cottage, Dromahair, Co Leitrim. Email: [email protected]

There is a space for Irish boating clubs and racing classes to use as their own bulletin board and forum for announcements and discussion. If you want to see a dedicated forum slot for your club or class, click here 

Afloat's Graham Smith wrote, on March 2009: "If 2007 had been a good one for Sligo’s Tim Corcoran and Brendan Brogan, 2008 was even better as the Western crew dominated the GP14 class, winning everything in sight.

They won the Leinsters at Blessington and then the Ulsters at home in Sligo before going on to retain their National Championship title with success at Newtownards. These results saw them win the Traveller’s Trophy and they also won the Speed Sail League, one of the class’s special annual awards.

Gerard Healy won the Youth Championship while Curly Morris headed the Master’s Championship.
Four new additions brought the national fleet up to 87 this year, with 60 of them racing regularly at the 17 established GP clubs, while turnouts at open events averaged the mid-20s. National Champions 2009: Tim Corcoran and Brendan Brogan, Sligo YC"

The Enterprise is a 4 metre, two sail sailing dinghy designed by Jack Holt. Its popularity is due to its excellent qualities both as a cruising and a two-man racing boat. The International Enterprise Class Association is based in the UK (also the UK Enterprise Association). There is also an active Irish Enterprise Association. For those who like to race, there is serious competition at both National and International level with some top names in sailing having passed through the class (eg, Shane McCarthy – now a professional sailor, Sean Craig, and Richard Estaugh).

The Enterprise Class is annually represented in the ISA Helmsman’s Championships. There are close to 23,000 registered boats world-wide and about 40 active Irish Enterprise boat owners. The Enterprise is an active and exciting chime-construction boat to sail. It has one mast and two sails (the mainsail and gib). It has neither spinnaker nor trapeze, has plenty of space, is simple in layout and is exceptionally smooth in handling. A large proportion of new boats are glass fibre. Alternatives are the composite boat for those who like wooden decks without the fuss of fitting out a wooden hull.

(Above information courtesy of Enterprise Class) 

Contact, Irish Enterprise Class Association, c/o Mr Richard Graves, President, 51 Carysfort Downs, Blackrock, Co Dublin. Email: [email protected], website: www.enterpriseclass.ie (inactive as at 23/9/09)

Afloat's Graham Smith wrote the following in the March 2009 issue: "Once the leading dinghy class in Ireland and the provider of many of Ireland’s leading sailors over a couple of decades, the Enterprise is now a pale shadow of its former self yet still provides close racing for the stalwarts who maintain an interest.

The national fleet has dwindled to around 25 dotted around six or seven clubs, with Bray – one of the pioneers of the class when it was formed 50 years ago – still the major supplier, so it’s no surprise to see Ger Dempsey from the County Wicklow club as the dominant figure in the class.

He won the two regional events – one on home waters and the other at Cullaun – before regaining his national title which Greystones’ Roy Van Maanen had taken the previous year when the event formed part of the Worlds in Dun Laoghaire.

National Champion as at March 2009: Ger Dempsey, Bray SC."

There is a space for Irish boating clubs and racing classes to use as their own bulletin board and forum for announcements and discussion. If you want to see a dedicated forum slot for your club or class, click here