The Howth 17 footers are 111 years old this year, and the oldest one-design keelboat class in the world continues to race from its original home port. One of the nine boats that Dublin Bay Sailing Club commissioned in the early part of the 20th century celebrates its 100th year this year – Oona, originally launched as Nautilus, will return to Dun Laoghaire in July to take part in the Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta. Oona’s current owner, Peter Courtney, will also be defending his 2007 title and will be a tough opponent in this fiercely competitive class. The Howth 17s will be 18 in number for the first time in their long history when a new boat is launched in May to the same design drawn by Walter Herbert Boyd in 1897.
