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The Sailors of Dublin Bay 21s committee have announced further details of the membership structure ahead of the upcoming inaugural season.

Weather permitting, the plan is to launch the fleet comprising Naneen, Estelle, Geraldine and Garavogue in mid-May, pending the completion of final works on the boats, and racing will commence as soon as possible thereafter.

As previously reported on Afloat.ie, racing will be on Tuesdays and Saturdays from the National Yacht Club in Dun Laoghaire with the DBSC fleet.

Based on feedback from interested racers, the committee identified various levels of interest and experience, from skippers crew and regular sailors to occasional sailors and shore supporters.

The committee therefore proposed the following membership structure:

  • Annual Membership €50: become part of the Dublin Bay 21 family, receive regular updates on the restoration project and be entitled to one sailing experience per season on a 21 boat.

In addition to the membership subscription, crewing participation is available to purchase as follows:

  • Regular season crew: be part of the regular crew for the boats throughout the sailing season for €450 (total €500)
  • Occasional season crew: partake in up to six crewing opportunities on the boats throughout the sailing season for €200 (total €250)

Crews will be allocated their preferred dates where possible depending on overall demand for an individual slot.

The committee says they are currently finalising the booking process and a secure online payment system along with the membership application form with an update on this to come shortly.

For more information contact Sean Doyle at [email protected] or 086 232 6636.

Published in Dublin Bay 21
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The next stage in the Dublin Bay 21 restoration project is getting out on the water and racing the Naneen, Garavogue, Estelle and Geraldine in their original sailing condition.

And that’s exactly what will be happening later this month with the launch of the 2023 DB21 season, racing on Tuesdays and Saturdays from the National Yacht Club in Dun Laoghaire with the DBSC fleet.

Experienced sailors, competent crew and even novices are all welcome to take part, with a complement of three to five per each of the four boats that have been restored to their 1902 glory.

For the modest sum of €500, you can subscribe to a 2023 season ticket which will allow access to the 40 DBSC races, and every effort will be given to fairly meeting subscriber preferences.

All subscriptions go solely towards annual maintenance of the fleet, with all capital costs met by the Dublin Bay 21 Footer Class Association.

For more details on the season, see the Eventbrite page HERE.

Published in Dublin Bay 21
Tagged under

About Electric outboard engines

The direct-drive component in electric outboard engines means that the electric motors are incredibly efficient compared to conventional marine combustion motors, operating with considerably higher torque whilst using less power.

Without any need for gears, cooling systems and moving parts the motors are maintenance free, highly efficient and economic to run.

As a result, electric boat engines are becoming more popular on Irish waters as the world transitions from fossil fuels to green energy.

To date, popular electric engine sizes have been trolling engines typically used by fishermen on lakes.

These marine engines are available in models that can be used in fresh water and sea water, for your boat or kayak.

Electric motors are Ideal for fishermen because they are quiet and create little in the way of disturbance 

Popular electric trolling models range from 30lb thrust to 55lb thrust in a range of shaft lengths.

But use is becoming broader now in 2021 and electric outboard engines are being used on small runabouts and RIBS where electric outboard engine sizes are getting bigger.

Outboard electric engines are economical and environmentally friendly. Battery technology is also improving at a rapid rate meaning they are becoming smaller and lighter and run for longer.

Built in hydro-generation provides alternative recharging options whilst under sail are also options meaning the electric outboard now has a home on the stern on small yachts and dayboats too.

As far back as 2014, Torqeedo owner Jack O'Keefe from Cork Harbour told Afloat readers of his sailing adventures in a Drascombe Coaster dinghy and how after swapping from a petrol version the rewards from his new electric outboard engine are less noise, no smells, more stowage, better sailing performance and a motor that can be started by a small child. But it's still not silent, there's a whine he says here 

Popular brands in Ireland are Torqeedo, ePropulsion, Pulsar and Minn Kota but there are more arriving all the time as the technology advances