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Fun-Focused DBSC Turkey Shoot 2025 Returns to Dublin Bay This Sunday

30th October 2025
“The
The defending AIB DBSC Turkey Shoot Series champion Camira (file photo) returns as part of a 68-boat fleet for the 25th anniversary series starting this Sunday (November 2nd) Credit: Afloat

68 entries include 11 J80s and seven J109s as part of the 25th anniversary AIB DBSC Turkey Shoot Series that starts this Sunday. 

The Shoot returns, offering seven weeks of competitive yet light-hearted Sunday racing from 2 November to 14 December 2025.

DBSC says the “ethos of the Turkey Shoot is to provide a fun sailing series”, encouraging fair play and sportsmanship across all fleets.

There are also six 1720 designs, four Beneteau 31.7s, including the defending champion Camira, three Ruffian 23s and two Elan 333s, as well as 33 other types, and entry remains open.

Races will begin each Sunday morning at 10:15 am, with five starts signalled at five-minute intervals. Courses will be announced by VHF Channel 74 on race day.

All entrants must carry a working VHF radio and wear personal flotation devices. “The safety of a boat and her crew is the sole responsibility of the owner,” the sailing instructions note.

The popular event will again use the Modified ECHO handicap system, recalculated weekly to ensure competitive balance. Results from the first race will be published shortly after the opening Sunday.

Racing will take place throughout Dublin Bay, with marks including The Muglins and Yellow Outfall off West Pier. The time limit for each race is 12:30 pm, subject to change for delays.

Boats interfering with commercial shipping in the Dublin Port Channel risk immediate disqualification. Entrants are also reminded to stay clear of Dun Laoghaire coastal swimming areas.

DBSC thanked competitors for maintaining the spirit of the event. “We would request all boats, especially our more experienced sailors, give plenty of room to others at mark roundings,” the club said.

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Dublin Bay Sailing Club Turkey Shoot Winter Series

Dublin Bay Sailing Club's Turkey Shoot Series reached its 20th year in 2020.

The popular yacht series racing provides winter-racing for all the sailing clubs on the southside of Dublin Bay in the run-up to Christmas.

It regularly attracts a fleet of up to 70 boats of different shapes and sizes from all four yachts clubs at Dun Laoghaire: The National Yacht Club, The Royal St. George Yacht Club, The Royal Irish Yacht Club and the Dun Laoghaire Motor Yacht Club as well as other clubs such as Sailing in Dublin. Typically the event is hosted by each club in rotation.

The series has a short, sharp format for racing that starts at approximately 10 am and concludes around noon. The event was the brainchild of former DBSC Commodore Fintan Cairns to give the club year-round racing on the Bay thanks to the arrival of the marina at Dun Laoghaire in 2001. Cairns, an IRC racer himself, continues to run the series each winter.

Typically, racing features separate starts for different cruiser-racers but in fact, any type of boat is allowed to participate, even those yachts that do not normally race are encouraged to do so.

Turkey Shoot results are calculated under a modified ECHO handicap system and there can be a fun aspect to some of the scoring in keeping with the Christmas spirit of the occasion.

As a result, the Turkey Shoot often receives entries from boats as large as Beneteau 50 footers and one designs as small as 20-foot flying Fifteens, all competing over the same course.

It also has legendary weekly prizegivings in the host waterfront yacht clubs immediately after racing. There are fun prizes and overall prizes based on series results.

Regular updates and DBSC Turkey Shoot Results are published on Afloat each week as the series progresses.

FAQs

Cruisers, cruising boats, one-designs and boats that do not normally race are very welcome. Boats range in size from ocean-going cruisers at 60 and 60 feet right down to small one-design keelboats such as 20-foot Flying Fifteens. A listing of boats for different starts is announced on Channel 74 before racing each week.

Each winter from the first Sunday in November until the last week before Christmas.

Usually no more than two hours. The racecourse time limit is 12.30 hours.

Between six and eight with one or two discards applied.

Racing is organised by Dublin Bay Sailing Club and the Series is rotated across different waterfront yacht clubs for the popular after race party and prizegiving. The waterfront clubs are National Yacht Club (NYC), Royal Irish Yacht Club (RIYC), Royal St George Yacht Club (RSGYC) and Dun Laoghaire Motor Yacht Club (DMYC).

© Afloat 2020

At a Glance: DBSC AIB Turkey Shoot 2025 (25th Anniversary Edition)

Dates: Sunday 2 November – Sunday 14 December

Races: Seven Sunday morning races

Start time: First gun at 10:10 hrs

Venue: Dublin Bay, hosted by Royal Irish Yacht Club

Entry fee: €70 (includes temporary membership of DBSC & RIYC)

Deadline: Wednesday 29 October

Entry: Online at www.dbsc.ie

 

 

 

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