There is movement in the marine market. That's the view from Irish boat dealers at this week's Southampton Boat Show who, after a torrid few seasons, are finding there's a pick up in boat sales but only when the price is right.

In 2007 there were 70 Irish yacht and boat sales staff manning stands in Southampton, this week that figure was down by about 60%. No one needs reminding of recession and the drop off in boat sales has been a reflection of the hard times.

Confidence is returning to the market in spite of the dire warnings about currency crises and dealers are now beginning to take trade ins again but they're still cautious as they have little room for error.

The good news though for boat owners is that there is now some great value in the market and the Southampton Boat show is an example of that. A core of about 15 Irish dealers are doing business there, thanks in no small part to the availability of marine finance again.

Boat Dealers James Kirwan (left) and Bernard Gallagher from BJ Marine on a new Benenteau Seanse in Southampton yesterday. BJ Marine are Irish Beneteau distributors

Interestingly, finance deals for values over €500,000 are 'brisk' but they remain sluggish for amounts under that, according to Afloat.ie's source.

That's surprising with the value of new craft on offer, such as a 2011 Beneteau Oceanis 48 footer at €209,000. A decade ago a boat with half that kit and of similar size would have been priced well over IR£350k. BJ Marine currently have three interested Irish parties in the 48 footer this week.

In essence dealers say that if you're prepared to drop your price on your trade in then you can probably make it back on a new purchase.

But just how much do asking prices need to drop? The amount varies between boat types but recently James Kirwan of BJ Marine sold a Beneteau Oceanis 39.3 for approximately €80k. An Oceanis 411 of the same vintage went for roughly €90k.

Alan Barton of MGM Boats in Kinsale sold a 2008 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39i recently for 125k. Two examples of nearly new Jeanneau Merry Fisher motorboats, a popular flybridge model in Ireland, fetched 75k and 85k approximately.

Martin Salmon (left) and Joe Hill welcome Alan Barton (centre) as the lastest broker to MGM Boats Ltd. Barton is running MGM Boats new brokerage office in Kinsale

Ironically, boat dealers have even been able to make progress through these bad times. Boats have not been as badly affected by the recession as other 'toys'. ' Unlike cars or property a boat is neither left hand drive or rooted to a particular spot making them easier to relocate and dispose of without resorting to fire sale prices' says BJ Marine's Bernard Gallagher.

In fact the worse the news grew about Ireland, the more business Irish dealers were able to do did as international buyers took advantage of the siutation to bag a bargain.

The trend is confirmed in part by the amount of search traffic coming from Scandinavia on leading Irish Boats for Sale sites such as Afloat.ie.

Swedish buyers are buying boats from 15k to 500k but most interest from Sweden is in five year old yachts in the 30-40 foot category.

Mark White, John O'Kane and Glyn Dewey from MGM Boats on the new Aquador 25 in Southampton. MGM are the UK and Irish distributors for the Finnish made Aquador motorboat marque

In terms of asset types, the old adage that if you want to make money buy a house, lose money buy a car or keep money buy a boat does not quite ring true thanks to the property crash but there's still some truth in it for boats.

'Over the last seven years I bought two apartments, a load of shares and the boat. The apartments are under water, the shares are gone but the boat's still worth something' that's what one rueful Irish boat owner told Afloat.ie yesterday.

The advent of boats for sale websites is allowing Europeans a European wide selection to choose from and Ireland has been the focus because of the good value.

Such has been the exodus of used boats from Ireland to overseas markets that Gallagher says there is a dearth of quality used large craft for sale in Ireland now.

The Southampton boat Show continues until Sunday but be warned the cost of flights from Dublin directly to Southampton for a day return this weekend are running at over €300!

 

July's Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta Boat of the week, Supernova, will be in action again this weekend in the Cruisers III East Coast championships. The annual fixture is being raced as part of tomorrow's DBSC Cruiser Challenge sponsored by MGM boats, Dún Laoghaire.

Entries for  the Challenge stand at 70 to date and remain open for the three day event run by Dublin Bay Sailing Club.

The DBSC Cruiser Challenge is open to Cruisers 0, 1, 2 and 3, Sigma 33s and 31.7s, who will also compete for their national championships during the event.

VDLR Champion Supernova is in action again on Dublin Bay tomorrow

Pat Shannon, vice-commodore of DBSC, says that as well as boats from the main Dún Laoghaire waterfront clubs, DBSC has invited boats from Howth, England and the Isle of Man to compete. "Last year we had 80 boats and we expect something similar. We're running it over the UK bank holiday so we might get those boats," says Pat. DBSC also welcomes Cruisers 3 to the event, who are taking part for the first time. (The Cruiser Challenge will also incorporate this year's Cruisers 3 East Coast Championships.)

This year the National Yacht Club is the host club for the event. Hal Bleakley is the race officer on committee boat, MacLir, and Henry Leonard is race officer on Spirit Of The Irish. NYC sailing manager Olivier Prouvier will coordinate activities on the water.

The organisers also plan plenty of fun after racing, with live music and barbecues in the NYC and a party for the 31.7 nationals in the National Yacht Club on Saturday night.

The main organisers are DBSC commodore Tony Fox, vice-commodore Pat Shannon, rear-commodore Chris Moore and honorary secretary Donal O'Sullivan, assisted by a team of around 28 volunteers. "We're always very grateful to the volunteers, they're the greatest resource we have," says Pat. "We have all the equipment, the greatest resource is the people who help out."

Pat adds that there are great prizes this year – half model yachts, made by Marine Model Makers of Wicklow. "They are very special, so it's worth entering," he says.

The entry fee for each boat is €105 with a reduced fee of €80 for entries received before 12th August.

Seventeen-year-old Tom Webb is poised to sail solo round Britain in his Hyde Sails-powered Beneteau First 211 'Danera'.

Tom believes sailing is a sport to be enjoyed by people of all abilities and to highlight the opportunities in sailing, particularly for disabled young people, on July 2 he will set off on his solo sail round Britain.
Tom explains: 'In doing the challenge I want to show my support for three fantastic charities: Phil Packer's British Inspiration Trust (BRIT), Even Keel and RYA Sailability at Langstone SC. Phil Packer is one of the most inspirational people I have met, who has an incredible mission with BRIT to create a
centre of inspiration for disabled young people in the Chichester area. Also, as a young person I want to challenge myself by drawing from the inspiration of the young disabled people I have met through the Even Keel sailing charity. They have challenges just in their daily lives, but also strive to set themselves new goals.'

The skipper
Tom Webb has been on and around boats all his life. 'My first dinghy was a bright yellow wooden Mirror dinghy,' he recalls. 'I then moved to Toppers and more recently I started racing a 420. Over the last couple of years I have been really lucky to have worked with the Even Keel Project and have taken part in racing events with them, including the fantastic Artemis Even Keel Challenge at Cowes in 2010.' This was where his solo sailing started: 'During this time I was becoming motivated to push my singlehanded ambitions, I began to explore the idea of sailing around Britain.

Through some luck, and the sale of the family Iroquois catamaran in 2009, "Danera" was bought as a yacht on which I could get experience of singlehanded keelboat sailing with a sail around Britain in the Summer of 2011 in mind.'

The boat and sails 'Danera' is a 21ft drop keel monohull. 'It's a fast boat that wouldn't be other people's first choice when sailing round Britain,' says Tom, 'Although hard work to keep going, she is rewarding to sail in all weather. She's topped out at 13 knots planing down a wave with the kite up - but I don't intend to push any where near as hard for the trip!' His new sails are from Hyde: ''The new fully battened main and genoa are a fantastic addition to the boat, they provide the power and
durability needed for long passages, but still give great responsive performance for racing around the cans.'

The Trip
Starting from Portsmouth on July 2, Tom will sail anti-clockwise stopping at 28 ports along the way. He will sail through the Caledonian canal, rather than round the top of Scotland as the trip needs to fit into his summer break between college and university. 'I will be sailing on average eight hours a day and hope to complete the trip in one and a half months.'

For more information on the project see www.tomwebbsailing.com

East Coast inshore campaigner Lively Lady (Derek Martin) left Dublin Bay racing behind yesterday for ISORA's offshore race to Rockaill and won. The Royal Irish boat, a Beneteau First 44.7, topped a 13-boat fleet over the 50 mile course to Rockabill. It was the second ISORA race of the 2011 calendar.

Second overall was another Beneteau, Walter Mitty, Stephen Mullaney's First 375 from Howth Yacht Club. Third was Jedi, Andrew Sarratt's J109 from Dun Laoghaire.

Yesterday's race was a much more pleasant start to the season compared to the previous weekend's pasting taken during the slog across the Irish Sea to Holyhead. Perhaps that was the reason for the drop off in entries from 21 to 13?  Next Saturday's ISORA fixture features another cross Irish Sea venture, this time to Pwhelli.

Race two results are available for download below. Latest ISORA news here.

ISORA Commodore Peter Ryan adds: 

It had been hoped that there would be a bumper fleet out for this popular day race run in conjunction with the Royal Alfred Yacht Club and the Lee Overlay Offshore Series but despite 25 entries, only 15 came to the start line. The heavy offshore race to Holyhead and delivery back the previous weekend and the strong winds all the week since then, had taken its toll with damage to boats and crew and boats not being to get to Dun Laoghaire.

The weather forecast for the day was for wind force 3-5 south east going east. The original course was to go south to North Arklow buoy. However, with the strong spring tides going north at the start and the light winds forecast, the Sailing Committee decided that going north to Rockabill would ensure a finish would be achieved to all boats. The course was: Start – North Burford(P) – Lambay (P) – Rockabill (S) – Lambay (S) – Kish Light (S) – Finish at Dun Laoghaire Harbour (45 miles).

Paul McCarthy of the RAYC provided the start at 10.00 and the fleet set off on a white sail reach towards North Burford. The wind was as forecast, south east force 3-4. Rounding that mark, spinnakers were raised and the fleet sped north with the tide. Shorthy after 12.00 “Lively Lady” rounded Rockabill followed by “English Mick”, “Orna” and directly behind her “Tsunami”.

The leg back to Kish was a beat keeping Lambay to starboard. The wind fluctuated with the stronger wind being out to sea. Most boats tacked behind Lambay to get the benefit of some lack tides in the lee of the island.

The wind was holding as the fleet neared Kish. First round was “Lively Lady” followed by “English Mick”, “Tsunami”, “Orna” and “Jedi”. As forecast the wind backed to east and dropped. What was looking like a charge to the finish turned out to be a crawl. Many of the boats at the back of the fleet gained by a temporary filling of the wind from behind as they caught up with the leading pack. However, “Lively Lady” and “English Mick” held their positions and crossed the line first and second. “Jedi” and “Orna” crept past “Tsunami” to cross the finish.

“Lively Lady” took line honours, 1st in Class and 1st Overall. “Jedi” took 1st in Class 2 while “Walter Mitty” won Class 3.

Sandra Moore of the NYC provided the finish. The usual après sail took place in the NYC after the race.

The next race is the Day Race in Pwllheli on the 14th May. It is hoped that the day race there will attract some new entrants from the Welsh side.

 

Rank	Fleet	Boat	SailNo	Type	Rating	Start	Finish	Elapsed	Corrected	Points
1	Class 1	Lively Lady	IRL 1644	First 44.7	1.109	10.00.00	16:21:00	6.21.00	7.02.32	98.6
2	Class 3	Walter Mitty	IRL 7963	First 375	0.947	10.00.00	17:36:38	7.36.38	7.12.26	92.8
3	Class 2	Jedi	IRL 8088	J109	1.029	10.00.00	17:05:15	7.05.15	7.17.35	87.0
4	Class 1	Orna	IRL 532		1.047	10.00.00	17:13:18	7.13.18	7.33.40	81.2
5	Class 2	Lula Belle	IRL 3607	First 36.7	1.019	10.00.00	17:28:55	7.28.55	7.37.27	75.4
6	Class 3	Windshift	IRL 37737	SF37	0.992	10.00.00	17:41:59	7.41.59	7.38.17	69.6
7	Class 2	First of September	IRL 8581	First 43.5	1.017	10.00.00	17:32:41	7.32.41	7.40.23	63.9
8	Class 1	Tsunami	IRL 4007	First 40.7	1.061	10.00.00	17:15:00	7.15.00	7.41.32	58.1
9	Class 1	English Mick	GBR4771R	Beneteau 47.7	1.130	10.00.00	16:50:07	6.50.07	7.43.26	52.3
10	Class 2	Miss Scarlett	IRL 4763	Sunfast 40.3	1.025	10.00.00	17:33:06	7.33.06	7.44.26	46.5
11	Class 3	Yahtzee	IRL 1068	Oceanis 411	0.983	10.00.00	17:57:51	7.57.51	7.49.44	40.7
12	Class 1	Sailing West Intuition	GBR 9383	Reflex 38	1.060	10.00.00	17:28:33	7.28.33	7.55.28	34.9
13	Class 1	Rebellion	IRL 6001	Nicholson 58	1.054	10.00.00	17:39:22	7.39.22	8.04.10	29.1
14	Class 1	African Challenge	IRL 2649	Fast 42	1.077	10.00.00	17:33:11	7.33.11	8.08.05	23.4
15	Class 3	Obsession	IRL4513	Sigma 33	0.905			DNF		10.0

Up to 40 yachts form the backbone of the Irish Sea Offshore Racing Association fleet (ISORA).  Although the 2011 entry list (below) shows a large number of Beneteau models it also reveals a wide range of other marques, largely between 30 and 50 foot. Prominent types are J109s, Sigma 33s and a number of Jeanneau yachts too.

ISORA 2011 Racing Fleet

Boat Name	Sail no	Hull / Mast Col	Model
Lancastrian	GBR7682T	White	Starlight
Yahtzee	IRL 1068	White/Gold	Oceanis 41
Rebellion	IRL 6001	Blue/Silver	Nicholson 58
Miss Scarlett	IRL 4763	White/Gray	Sunfast 40.3
Orna	IRL532	Blue	40C
Mistral of St Helier	K8337	White	3800D
Poppy	GBR4183	Red/White	Contention 33
Dinah	IRL 3508	White/Aluminium	Jeanneau
Raging Bull	IRL 9666	White/Silver	Sigma 400
Tsunami	IRL 4007	Grey/Silver	First 40.7
GFT Adventurer	GBR 23161	White/Silver	First 45
Jedi	IRL 8088		J109
English Mick	GRB 4771R	Blue/Silver	First 47.7
Galileo	IRL1944	Blue	First 47.7
Lula Belle	IRL3607	White	Beneteau 36.7
Finnigans Wake	IRL2008	White	37B
Obsession	IRL 4513	White/Aluminium	Sigma 3300
Katanca	IRL 31310	White/Aluminium	Elan 31
Just Enough	GBR6912T		J92
Big Hillie Style	IRL 3208	White	Sun Fast 3200
Adelie	FRA 9631	White/Black	First 34.7
Mojito	IS 36L	White/Aluminium	Bavaria
Calypso	IRL 5643	White/Silver	Oceanis E51
Legally Blonde	IRL 3175	Grey/Aluminium	Beneteau
GWAWR	GRB 8330	White/Aluminium	Sigma
First of September	IRL 8581	White/Silver	First 435
Rollercoaster	IRL 9109	White/Aluminium	J109
Quite Correct	IRL 5405	White/White	Jeanneau D5 54
Sarnia	IRL 2260	White/Gold	36
Sailing West Intuition	GBR 9383R	Blue/Aluminium	Reflex 38
Sailing West One Life	GBR 3708R	White/Silver	Sunfast 37
Temper Tantrum	6909T	White	40
Wennol 3	GBR1347R	White/Black	First 34.7
African Challenge	IRL 2649	White/Silver	Fast
Windshift	IRL37737	White/Aluminium	Sunfast 37
Oystercatcher	IRL 1177	White/ Silver	Gib'sea 37
Aztec 3	IRL29832	White/Silver	A35

The Beneteau Owners Club is running a cruise to France on the first weekend of July. 

The family-friendly event will embark from Port Hamble on 1 July heading for Cherbourg for a weekend of entertainment.     

Event partners Sailing Today, Beneteau, Ancasta International Boat Sales and Universal Yachting are hosting the fully chaperoned cross-channel cruise.

They will also provide free workshops ahead of the cruise weekend in passage planning, getting the most out of your electronics and safety, among other topics. 

The cruise is open to all Beneteau owners, whether export or novice. A buddy system will connect newcomers with experienced Beneteau sailors to make the most out of the weekend.

To register for this event or join the Beneteau Owners Club, e-mail [email protected] with full contact details and a few basic details about your boat. Places are limited and will be handled on a first come first served basis.

Beneteau is one of the most popular yacht brands in Ireland. It is distributed by BJ Marine of Malahide.

Dubliner Paul O'Riain's comprehensive article on his Figaro debut experience in 2007 has moved, Click this link for it and the latest La Solitaire du Figaro news.

French Manufacturer Beneteau, the world's largest production yacht builder is celebrating success in December's Sydney-Hobart race.

Following the historic success of 2009 when two FIRSTs occupied the first two places in the overall IRC and ORC rankings, the 2010 race has seen another Beneteau double as two Firsts won their class in the 600-mile offshore fixture.

True to its reputation, the 2010 race took place in extreme conditions with winds reaching 45 knots and the suspense maintaine right to the end.

The well-named FIRST 45 Victoire won the race in IRC2. The FIRST 40 Paca was the winner in IRC3.

The Irish agent for Beneteau is BJ Marine.

The 2011 Dublin Boat Show is going on the water in 2011 if a new approach to promote boating in Ireland takes off. The Irish Marine Federation (IMF) aims to include as many boating activities as possible in the national boat show line up next May in Malahide.

An attendance of up to 17,000 are expected at the Malahide marina venue from May 20 to 22. It will be the first time the national event has taken to the water in its 50 year history.

The world's biggest boat builders Beneteau, Jeanneau, Sea Ray and Sunseeker among others have already signed up for the North Dublin event, according to the IMF.

The organisers are partnering with leading Irish boating organisations to demonstrate the many different aspects of the sport on the water with a weekend schedule of live commentary.

BJ Marine, MGM Boats, Western Marine, HM Yachts in Cork and Viking marine of Dun Laoghaire and Shannon Castle Line in County Clare are among the first of the Irish firms to express interest in the new format as exhibition details circulate through the industry this week.

The aim is to get as many class associations on the water as well as small powerboat racing such as Zzapcats, kayaking and match racing fans to stage short, sharp events on the estuary directly in front of the marina. A timetable of events will be published shortly. 

Coastguard and Lifeboat demonstrations are also planned. Technical demonstrations such as glass fibre repairs and engine maintenance are also in the line up.

Despite the coastal setting Ireland's Inland waters will feature prominently too through the Irish Boat Rental Association who will be promoting holidays on the river Shannon and Erne.

Visitors are also expected from Wales and across the Irish Sea region and special offers to both show-goers and exhibitors are being made through an Irish Sea Inter­Reg programme.

The Malahide exhibition site will feature a marine village ashore with over 500 square meters of undercover exhibit space. Show goers will get the chance to talk to the leading lights in the sport before going afloat on the marina where over 100 berths will be available.

"It's a pretty unique site that gives us the best chance to show off the marine leisure industry afloat and ashore. Because its just off the M50 and M1 motorways it means it's also so easy to get to from anywhere in the country. This will be a great day out." said the Federation's Steve Conlon.

More information from Steve Conlon on 087 6472746. Updates here on afloat.ie as the show takes shape.