The overall winner of the 2021 ICRA National Championships is for sale.

Kaya, the all winning J/122 Grand Prix version, has come on the market with Key Yachting in race-ready condition, complete with three new sails, one unused.

The present owner has completed many upgrades on Kaya including adding a sprit, adding a marine computer and screen (with Adrena), fairing the bottom, upgrading all running rigging and many other improvements.

She is ready to race and win again in 2022.

Set up for both inshore and offshore, with an interior that is roomy and very comfortable for cruising.

Priced at €145,000

For further information, contact Mark Mansfield of Key Yachting at [email protected] or at 00 353 87 2506838.

Further details are also available here

Mark Mansfield, Key Yachting agent for Ireland, reports very high interest levels in the four yachts on show at Southampton Boat Show from Key Yachting's four different brands.

Key Yachting is the agent for J Boats, Grand Soleil, Nautitech Catamarans and Tofinou dayboats.

On display is the Nautitech 46 Catamaran, sold this year to an Irish client, and is based in Schull, West Cork (see photo above).

The featured Grand Soleil 42LC in Southampton is a long-distance comfortable cruiser.

The J/99 from J Boats is similar to the winning Sovereigns Cup J/99, Snapshot.

Finally, Key Yachting is also exhibiting the beautiful Tofinou 10 daysailer.

The show concludes next Sunday, so there is still time for Interested Irish clients to fly over and book a visit on one of these models listed above.

For further information on the above or any of the Key Yachting ranges, contact Mark Mansfield at [email protected] or 00353 87 2506838.

Mark Mansfield, Irish Agent for Key Yachting, is delighted to present the latest additions to Key Yachting brokerage listings.

All boats are available now and can be trailer sailed.

This means they can be towed to any destination, launched and be ready for racing in just a few hours.

With lots of great events still in the 2021 Irish sailing calendar like Calves Week, ICRAS and WIORA, don’t delay and miss out on the rest of the sailing season.

For sale now in Ireland:

Wavetrain—Channel 32

Wavetrain—Channel 32

An Iconic Julian Everett design, currently lying in Greystones.

She is a real head-turner in immaculate condition with a new mast, engine, rig, teak deck, most deck gear and electronics recently replaced and a set of fresh, race-ready sails.

Big Picture - MG30 Half Tonner

Big Picture - MG30 Half Tonner is lying in Howth

Big Picture is fully optimized and known to be one of the best half tonners around, she has had substantial upgrades over the past 7 years including a new engine, rig, deck gear and North Sails  wardrobe. If you want a boat that is ready to race and win then get in touch to find out more.

J 70—Jheetah 2014  

J 70—Jheetah 2014

Jheetah is a great example of a J70 - which is now one of the most competitive racing classes worldwide. With newish sails and impressive full cover this is a boat ready to race. She comes with a trailer to sit fully down when towing or set higher to allow dry sailing with keel down. Jheetah is the perfect boat if you want to attend all the sailing regattas, no matter the location this year.

J 80—Jammy

J 80—Jammy—2008

Jammy is a fully race prepared J80 with non-anti fouled and faired bottom and foils, she comes with very fresh north sails and all the championship equipment onboard required to perform well in class and on the race circuit.

In addition to the race boats, Key Yachting also has some great premium quality blue water cruisers available, so if you are looking to get away on your adventures the 2006 Grand Soleil 50 and 2008 First 50 are both EU vat paid and set up for long distance cruising.

To view all our brokerage boats visit: https://www.keyyachting.com/boats-for-sale/ or contact Mark Mansfield for further information or to arrange a viewing by email:[email protected] or call 00 353 872506838

Following on from the excellent showing in the Dun Laoghaire to Dingle race, The Grand Soleil and J Boats brands have again displayed their racing prowess by winning the Sovereigns Cup Overall, coming first and second in the Largest IRC Class—Coastal, and finishing in all three podium position in the hotly contested Class 1.

As previously reported, The Dun Laoghaire to Dingle race was won by the Grand Soleil 40, Nieulargo, owned by the Murphy Family from RCYC, who also took Class 1. All class two podium positions were taken by either Grand Soleil or J Boat models. The J/99 Juggerknot 2, owned by Andrew Algeo from the RIYC, took the class win.

Roll on two weeks, and many of the Dun Laoghaire to Dingle boats were again in action at the O'Leary Insurances Sovereigns Cup. The two big classes were Coastal which had 17 entries, and Class 1, with 13 entries.

In IRC Coastal Class, first, second (joint) and third on the Dun Laoghaire to Dingle Race were competing. Also competing was Bob Rendell's new Grand Soleil 44, Samatom, which raced with cruising headsails in the D2D race. For Sovereigns Cup, she had her new racing headsails. A very tight regatta in varying conditions over the four days brought very close racing, with the results going down to the wire.

In the end, Bob Rendell's Grand Soleil 44, Samatom, from Howth Yacht Club, with Key Yachting Irish Agent Mark Mansfield calling tactics, took the class win by 1 point, counting a first and 2 seconds.

Second overall was the Murphy Family's Grand Soleil 40, Nieulargo. The one-off Ker 37, Jump Juice, rounded off the podium.

The Grand Soleil 40, Nieulargo, owned by the Murphy Family from RCYC, took second in IRC Coastal Photo: Bob Bateman

In Class one, 10 x J 109's and a new J99 went head to head. Mike and Richard Evans new J/99 Snapshot got the better of all 10 x J/109's to take the class win by 9 points and, in so doing, was also awarded the overall Sovereigns cup as the top IRC performer of the regatta. Second overall was the J/109, Artful Dodger from the home club, recently purchased through Key Yachting brokerage by Finbarr O'Regan.

A great result in his first big regatta. Third overall was the J/109 Storm owned by Pat Kelly from Howth.

In her first regatta, Richard and Mike Evans new J/99 Snapshot, Winner Class 1 IRC and Overall winner of the Sovereigns Cup Photo: Bob Bateman

If you want to compete at the top end of IRC racing in Ireland, look no further than the Grand Soleil and J/Boats models. Not only are they fast, but they are also very comfortable and are true cruiser racers. Key Yachting is also the agent for Nautitech Catamarans and Tofinou dayboats.

For further information on any of the Key Yachting brands in Ireland, contact Irish Agent for Key Yachting, Mark Mansfield, at [email protected] or 087 2506838.

Key Yachting will be at the South Coast Boat Show Southampton from 7-9 May 2021 with the following boats on the water: J/99, Grand Soleil 46LC and Nautitech Open 40 Catamaran 

Mark Mansfield Irish agent for the Key Yachting brands, Nautitech Catamarans, J-Boats and Grand Soleil on the Island of Ireland, is delighted that the Boat shows are back in the UK.

This May, the first of the UK boat shows will kick off in Ocean Village Southampton, the show will be subject to certain requirements such as by appointment only advance bookings and strict covid regulations which will have to be adhered to.

Though it may not be possible for people based in the Republic to visit, there will be many Afloat readers in Northern Ireland, Wales, Scotland and indeed ex-pat Irish living in England that could attend.

For those in the Republic that cannot currently travel, a virtual boat show will run alongside the main show, and you will be able to access all the boat specifications, download brochures and even chat to dealers online. The virtual boat-show will be available once the show goes live between 7-9 May here

Key Yachting will be exhibiting three very different boats:

J/99

The J/99 (32.6′) which does it all – combining great sailing performance and stability with below decks, comfort in a boat that can be sailed shorthanded. Two j/99's are now in Ireland and another coming to Wales this summer.

J/99 Juggerknot 2 racing in Dublin Bay Photo: Afloat

Nautitech 40

Nautitech 40 Open Catamaran is the perfect Bluewater adventure boat providing the perfect balance between performance and lifestyle.

Nautitech 40 Open showing the roomy cockpit and saloon space

Grand Soleil 46LC

Grand Soleil 46LC features a hull shape designed by Marco Lostuzzi. The LC range, with its deeper hull, provides luxurious accommodation and exterior comfort. Whether day sailing or living onboard, the Grand Soleil 46LC delivers high performance as standard.

Grand Soleil 46 LC

Join us 7-9 May 2021, by appointment only!

Book here

For further information on these models or indeed any models in the J Boats, Grand Soleil, Nautitech Catamaran and Tofinou ranges

Contact Mark Mansfield at [email protected] or call on: 00 353 87 250 6838.

Did you know that demand for brokerage boats is currently exceeding supply – which makes this a seller's market?

Mark Mansfield, Irish Agent for the four Key Yachting brands, advises, "Key Yachting has an unrivalled knowledge of J Boats, Grand Soleil, Tofinou, and Nautitech, which not only benefits the seller but the new owner as well".

Why sell a boat with Key Yachting:

• Key Yachting has built a database of prospective owners, which is unequalled by any other company.
• Key Yachting only sells premium + performance boats.
• Key Yachting is a company you can trust.

"It looks very likely, that at long last, we can all look forward to sailing this summer. The next new boat orders are already being taken for the autumn and into the 2022 season, with many clients choosing to optimise on good exchange rates and current pricing. This high demand to get out on the water has seen the sales soar for high-quality second-hand boats right across the spectrum. With boats selling before they reach the open market." Key Yachting Sales Director, Hannah Le Prevost.

If you have a good quality yacht that you would like to sell, please get in touch with us to discuss how we can help and let us produce you a complimentary market analysis for your boat, which will show what similar boats have sold for recently and also at what price similar boats for sale are presently being advertised.

For more information, email [email protected] or call Mark on 087 250 6838

Key Yachting has announced a change of ownership, as Wayne Palmer and Hayley Quinn from Hampshire-based Thinking Space Systems have purchased the company from Marie-Claude Heys.

“After 25 years, I am delighted to hand the helm over to Wayne and Hayley,” said Heys, who founded Key Yachting in Hamble in 1996 with her late husband Paul.

“This year, as part of the logistics team from Miranda Merron’s Vendée Globe campaign, it really made my mind up.

“The time is right for me to make a change, and I am keen to get back to my roots in offshore sailing,” added Heys, who competed in four Figaro campaigns and two Whitbread Round the World Races.

With their head office in Romsey, Thinking Space Systems is a global provider of high-quality technical furniture and has offices in Australia, Canada, UK and the USA

The company was founded in 1993 by Wayne Palmer who is a keen sailor, having competed in two Fastnet Races and who currently races his J/109 Flying Jackal.

Hayley Quinn is an experienced qualified accountant with a passion for managing leisure focused businesses.

“From a design, engineering and manufacturing perspective, there are many similarities between Thinking Systems and Key Yachting,” Palmer said.

“Hayley and I cannot wait to get started in the new year. Key Yachting has world class brands, and it is rare to be able to acquire a business that has been in the same ownership for so long.”

Key Yachting sales director, Hannah Le Prevost will mentor the new owners into the business.

“2021 is going to be an exciting year for all the right reasons,” said Le Prevost, who has been an integral part of Key Yachting for 11 years.

“We will continue our strong relationship with our business partners and above all with our past, present and future boat owners.”

Key Yachting, whose Irish agent is Mark Mansfield, moves into the new year after celebrating a big win out of three nominations in the 2020 British Yachting Awards — with the Grand Soleil 44 Performance receiving the gong for Performance Yacht of the Year.

Mark Mansfield, Irish agent for Key Yachting, has announced that two Grand Soleil designs have been shortlisted in the 2020 British Yachting Awards.

In the Cruising Yacht of the Year class, The Grand Soleil LC42, which premiered at the 2020 Dusseldorf boat show last January has been nominated.

In the Performance Yacht of the Year, The Grand Soleil 44 performance has been nominated. The Grand Soleil 44 performance has just premiered at the Genoa Boat show this month and will be on show at Dusseldorf in January.

In addition, the J Cup Regatta, successfully held just a month ago, just for J Boats, has been nominated as Event of the Year.

To Enquire about either of these nominated Grand Soleil Models, or any others in the Key Yachting range (Grand Soleil, J Boats, Tofinou or Nautitech ) contact Mark Mansfield at [email protected] or at 087 250 6838

Key Yachting is delighted to scoop three nominations in the  British Yachting Awards 2020

Key Yachting is thrilled to have received a nomination for this prestigious award that is decided by the sailors themselves. We are extremely grateful for all the support we have received from the J Boats community for the J-Cup in 2020, so please do support us again by casting your votes.

The 2020 Landsail Tyres J-Cup celebrated the 21st birthday of the annual regatta, with 50 boats and some 200 sailors competing. The event included racing for two national titles, as well as Covid-secure socials in Cowes.

Cruising Yacht of the Year: Grand Soleil 42 LC

Grand Soleil 42 LC

Italian boatbuilders Grand Soleil have once more excelled themselves with the introduction of the new 42 LC. This is a performance cruiser that simply oozes class topped with plenty of clever touches for the long-distance sailor.

Performance Yacht of the Year: Grand Soleil 44 Performance

Grand Soleil 44 Performance

Grand Soleil has struck a balance between cruiser and racer with the sporty 44 providing thrilling performance on the racecourse while remaining a well-mannered yacht.

Voting is now open and the winner in each category is often decided by a handful of votes, so every vote counts!

Vote here

Voting closes at midnight on 15 November.

Everyone who votes will be entered into a prize draw to win a 40L DryBag.

J/Boats teamed up with UK and Ireland sales agents Key Yachting yesterday for a live video interview with current J/Boats president Jeff Johnstone on the new new J/99, writes Mark Mansfield.

The J/99 is the latest design and in many respects is considered truly innovative as a J/Boat.

Hull #40 has just been delivered to J/Boats co-founder Rod Johnstone, and nearly 50 boats have been delivered worldwide to date — which speaks to its pedigree as a true all-round cruiser racer.

The interview, hosted by Kay Yachting UK sales director Hannah Le Prevost, included detailed pictures, video and the latest updates on the J/99.

Broadcast on Facebook Live yesterday (Thursday 30 April), the interview is now available to watch back below:

For enquiries about the J/99 or any of the J/Boats range, contact Irish agent Mark Mansfield at [email protected] or at +353 (0)87 250 6838.

Join Key Yachting on Facebook Live tomorrow (Thursday 9 April) from 1.30pm IST for a special live presentation of J/Boats’ Elegance range.

J/Composites sales manager Fred Bouvier will lead the interactive live interview from Les Sables-d’Olonne that will feature the J/112e, J/97e and J/122e.

Key Yachting is the exclusive distributor for J/Boats and Gran Soleil in the UK and Ireland, and former Olympic helmsman Mark Mansfield is the agent for Ireland. Contact Mark at +353 87 250 6838 or [email protected]