Adelie leads the Rathfarnham Ford sponsored 79–boat DBSC Turkey shoot series on Dublin Bay. After three races sailed (and no discard) the Beneteau 34.7 is on 25 nett points and has a five point lead over the 1720 sportsboat Key Events. Third is the Hanse 315, Hanse off on 32 points. Racing continues this weekend and runs until December 20th.Attached below are handicaps and starts for next Sunday's race. Adelie reverts to fourth start after her well-sailed excursion in the second start last Sunday.

Meanwhile, DBSC has cautioned competitors about 'over-aggressive' sailing amongst some of the sportsboats. The club has also requested boats do not race with anchors stowed on the bow.

'This is progressive handicap racing, give room and don't push it even if you are in the right. This is the Turkey Shoot, please all cop on and sail in the spirit of the event' competitors were told by email this week.

Attached are results from last Sunday with Handicaps and starts for this Sunday.

Veteran Royal Irish YC sailor Tim Goodbody is the Afloat.ie “Sailor of the Month” for November for his enormous contribution to Irish and international sailing over many decades, both as an active participants, as a race organiser, and as an administrator of leading sailing organisations.

By locating the award in November 2015, we highlight the fact that at the Dublin Bay SC Annual Prize-Giving on November 15th in the Royal St George YC, three generations of the Goodbody family received major awards. Grandson Max took The Mitchell Trophy in the RS Feva with granddaughter Georgia crewing, while son Richard - in partnership with Rick Johnson racing the International Dragon Diva - won the Oxford & Cambridge Cup, the Old Time Cup, and the RIYC Cup. And Tim himself, in his final season with the Sigma 33 White Mischief (he has now moved on to a J/109), won the J.B.Stephens Trophy, the Bective Lights Crystal Trophy, and the Fireseal Sigma 33 Trophy.

Both Tim and Richard were overall winners in their respective classes in the combined DBSC Thursday and Saturday season-long series. But while this shows the family’s devotion to Dublin Bay sailing, both White Mischief and Diva were also seen in major events at other venues, with White Mishchief taking second overall (by just two points) in Class 3 IRC at the ICRA Nats at Kinsale).

Although the Sigma 33 is not reckoned a favoured performer under IRC, Tim Goodbody still sailed White Mischief to a close second overall in IRC Class 3 at the ICRA Nats at Kinsale at the end of June. Photo: ICRA

The timing of the ICRA Nats at the end of June could just be fitted into Tim Goodbody’s busy schedule, for as Chairman of the Organising Committee for the Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta 2015 from July 9th to 12th, he was out of personal boat-racing for the next two weeks as the structures of the biggest sailing event in Ireland in many years swung successful into place, with the noted Goodbody light-but-effective management style keeping this very complex event moving smoothly forward to a happy conclusion.

J/109s in full flight at the hugely successful Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta 2015, for which Tim Goodbody was Chairman of the Organising Committee. In 2016, he will himself be joining the J/109 class. Photo: VDLR

But then the depth of Tim Goodbody’s commitment to every aspect of sailing is unrivalled. He has campaigned successfully to international level in the Dragon, the J/24 and the Sigma 33, and as well he was lead helm on Irish Independent, the Dubois 40 which was the backbone of Ireland’s 1987 Admirals Cup team - our most successful AC squad ever, they placed fourth out of thirteen teams, while Irish Independent won the Fastnet Race overall.

Ashore, Tim Goodbody has served as Commodore of the Royal Irish YC, the Royal Alfred YC, and Dublin Bay SC, and for the latter organisation he was the mastermind behind the rationalization of the courses which enables an enormous fleet to race mostly in the southern half of Dublin Bay clear of the shipping lanes. His benefit to our sport is incalculable, but perhaps his greatest single contribution is the example he sets is in his own smoothly organised, quietly enthusiastic, very successful and highly enjoyable sailing.

The Dubois 40ft Irish Independent racing in the Solent in the 1987 Admirals Cup. Somewhere in the middle of the tightly-packed crew is Tim Goodbody, and he is on the helm. During this series, he famously out-sailed the legendary Lawrie Smith on a sister-ship during a long tacking duel.

History is made. Irish Independent rounds the Fastnet Rock on Monday August 11th 1987, on her way to the overall win in the Fastnet Race.

Providing a mixed sportsboats class in Dublin Bay Sailing Club next year would not only cater for a range of boats currently based in Dun Laoghaire but also foster and encourage new buyers to source “fun”, affordable day racers writes Olivier Proveur, the Sailing Manager of the National Yacht Club who has prepared a discussion paper on the 'Reinstatement of a sportsboat class by DBSC'.

Is it time for DBSC to introduce a new mixed Sportboat Class in its racing programme? What is a sportboat? How much would it cost to enter one in DBSC? When will they be racing? Which handicapping system will be used? To discuss all these issues, an open meeting will be held by DBSC in the Royal Irish Yacht Club next Thursday 3^rd December at 20.00

Reinstatement of a sportsboat class by D.B.S.C – Discussion document

Purpose
The purpose of this document is to help explore the possibility and modalities of introducing a “mixed” sportsboat class (or classes!) in DBSC Club racing from 2016 onwards.

The document covers:
- The definition of “Sportsboat”
- Various arguments for providing a racing prospect to a mixture of sportsboats
- The further refinement between “high performance” and “low performance” sporstboats
- Resulting considerations on handicaps and classes
- A broad but non comprehensive view of “the world of sportsboats”

Definition
The term sportsboat first appeared in the late 1980s and early 1990s to describe high performance trailer yachts with major compromises in accommodation and weight compared to traditional designs of the same size. They tend to be characterised by historically large sail areas for a given length (especially under downwind sails), light weight construction and a heavy reliance on crew weight to counterbalance heeling forces. They usually feature lifting keels (for easy trailerability) of a modern fin and bulb design and planing hull designs. Most sportsboats are self-righting as opposed to skiffs.

Sportboats are generally characterised by a tall mast for their hull length, a correspondingly large main
sail and non-overlapping jib. As with the large mainsails, spinnakers (asymmetric in the vast majority of designs) are also generally much larger for a given hull size than had previously been used for keelboats, including racers.

Sportboat hulls have many elements in common with skiffs such as an almost flat bottom, a fine bow and a flat aft section - in short, a planing hull form.

This very efficient, low-drag shape, combined with the large, powerful rig and sail design and the light weight construction of most sports boats is what gives them their significant speed advantage over traditional designs.

To offset the large sail area and the resulting significant heeling momentum there are 3 main design philosophies:

1. a deep and heavy keel;
2. a way to get the crew further off the centreline by using wings, racks, hiking aids or trapezes; and,
3. a reduction in sail area, leading to a reduction in displacement, leading to less need for sail area and thus a reduction in heeling momentum.

Many modern sportsboats use some combination of 1&2 or 2&3 also, with option 1 tending to favour upwind legs, and option 3 tending to favour downwind; option 2 being an advantage in all respects
except rating.

Most sports boats use the modern fin and bulb design, which may also be lifting for ease of storage, as most sportsboats are designed to be taken out of the water on a daily or regular basis.

Most sportsboats have no or very little on-board accommodation as they are primarily intended to be sailed in short races around laid courses on sheltered waters. They are intended only for use in races for limited durations. A typical club sportboat race would be between 2 and 3 hours long and the biggest regattas would usually feature 3-4 races a day, each of only 1 to 1.5 hours duration.

SB20 – Photo: Michael Keogh

Cockpits are usually fully open and the only covered area is a very small and spartan fore-cabin (cuddy), usually used only for storing sails and essential safety equipment. Even larger sports yachts which often do have a proper cabin below are often missing all the usual features of a yacht. Sinks, toilets, bunks, water tanks and cooking equipment are usually missing. Often a moulded hard plastic seat on either side of the cuddy and a removable chemical toilet are the only amenities.

In summary:
From the defining characteristics of “what is a sportsboat”, a few self-evidences emerge:

1. They are ideally suited to take part in the type of racing organised by DBSC
2. They are far removed in terms of design and sailing characteristics from the “traditional” keelboats designs which the IRC Rating System is ideally suited to “regulate and time compensate” in mixed fleets- Though broadly fitting the design principles above, they hugely vary in terms of LOA, performance, built materials etc etc…(see the “world of sportsboats”).

- All sportsboats are conceived, designed and marketed as “one-designs” though, to the notable exception of the Cork 1720 and SB3 in the past, it is difficult to see the establishment of a new Sportsboat one-design class in Ireland and furthermore in Dublin Bay alone. The latest example being the initial “hype” around the J70 when it was launched which only translated in 1 being purchased and campaigned…

• Why is DBSC considering a mixed sportsboat class?
  - There is now a good number of non SB20 sportsboats based in Dun Laoghaire; privately owned J80s & J70s,
  Clubs’ 1720s, others...
  - There is maybe also a renewed interest among “younger” waterfront Clubs’ members to acquire a keelboat and go racing in DBSC…
  - However, gone are the boom times when a string of J109s appeared in Dublin Bay…would be competitors are looking at a maximum capital outlay of €15k to €20k for “something exciting”…
  - Due to their lack of unnecessary (for day racing) equipment (costly inboard engines, fridges, showers etc…) and
  lack of accommodation, second-hand sportsboats offer great value for money compared to “affordable” cruiser racers.

Below are 2 boats for sales ads (besides each other) from apolloduck.co.uk under the category “racing
boat”: Hunter 707 - £4,750 CORBY 25 - £37,500
The first one (Hunter 707) having not been conceived and designed as a “cruiser-racer” has either no “cruiser” class to comply with and compete in or would not be competitive at all under IRC rating.
The 2nd one (Corby 25) would be of interest to anyone wishing to have a go at the Cruiser II class…however it is 7.9 times the price!!! (Are they THAT different? Is it 7.9 times the boat?!?).

- The only possibility currently to race a sportsboat (other than SB20) in Dublin Bay is to enter a 1720 in the Ensign Class on Tuesday evening…
- Providing a mixed sportsboats class in DBSC next year would not only cater for the existing boats (SB20 & 1720s in the main) but also foster and encourage new buyers to source “fun” affordable day racers (see the world of sportsboats)

Ireland's own sportsboat – the 1720 . Photo: Bob Bateman

How to cater for a huge potential diversity of sportsboats in a “sporting fair way”? 

There is a huge difference in LOA, sail area and design between various sportboats. Can they be mixed in the same class, on the same start?
Introducing clear, non-arbitrary definitions and “class rules” is paramount to gain traction and acceptance from all parties.
To this end, a very interesting case scenario exists in the UK:

The Forth Yacht Clubs Association (FYCA), the forum for clubs on both sides of the Firth, came to the
following solution when faced by a similar issue:
As seen before, Sportsboats are lightweight planing yacht designs that have distinctly different performance characteristics compared to conventional displacement yachts. If race conditions permit hydrodynamic planning then standard handicap values, that are mainly based on displacement performance, are not representative.
Yachts with RORC Sportsboat Ratings (SBR)1 range from those that plane readily such as the Melges 24, Cork 1720 and Laser SB3, to more conventional designs that do so only rarely.

The J80. Photo: Bob Bateman

FYCA clubs organising separate classes for sportsboats and displacement yachts, to promote better and fairer competition whatever the wind and sea conditions, required a sportsboat definition to differentiate between ‘high performance’ and more conventional sportsboats. The FYCA Handicap Committee proposed a sportsboat definition based on design analysis rather than arbitrary classification.
After consultation with Mike Urwin, Technical Director of the RORC Rating Office that provides IRC and SBR certification, the following ‘high performance’ sportsboat definition was recommended:
• Downwind power to weight ratio >= 0.50
(SA/D^0.67 based on total downwind sail area m^2 [Main+Spin] divided by total displacement Kg^0.67 [Including crew weight])
• Displacement to length ratio <= 170
(DLR = (27.87 x IRC Displacement)/LWP^3 as defined by RORC measurement rules)
¹ More on rating system below

The table below details the analysis of sportsboat designs compared to conventional displacement
yachts.

In turn, using Mike Urwin definition of high / low performance sportsboat, it is possible to plot the following
graph:

“Plotting” boats show categorically that, in fact, SB3s and Cork 1720s are extremely close in their designed performance! Maybe the fact that both boats were designed by Tony Castro is no coincidence?

Also, it is made much clearer that:

The following SBR rated designs are classified as ‘high performance’ sportsboats:
• Melges 24
• Cork 1720
• Laser SB3
• Delphia 24
• RS-K6
• J-80

The following SBR rated designs are not classified as ‘high performance’ sportsboats:
• Projection 762
• Beneteau 25
• Hunter 707
• RS Elite
• Sonar

In conclusion to these considerations:
- The existing “sportsboats” based in Dun Laoghaire naturally form a “homogenous” (by designed performance) group which, following Mike Urwin’s classification, could be amalgamated in a new “High Performance Mixed Sportsboats Class”
- There is also potentially room to create a “Low Performance Mixed Sportsboats Class” to foster the acquisition by “new comers to DBSC” of great value for money and great sailing boats such as Hunter 707s, Beneteau 25s (=Farr Platu 25), Projection 762s and, speaking from my own experience, Brenta 24s and 747 ODs

RS Elite

OK, but which handicap system?
Sportsboats at first raced in existing class divisions under existing handicapping systems. As the number of sportsboats continued to grow specific divisions for them have become increasingly common at all levels of racing.
In Europe and the USA, the trend has been more for One Design racing.
Sportsboat-specific handicapping systems include:
- RYA/RORC Rating: Sportsboat rule SBR
- Individual country rule systems such as the New Zealand Sportsboat box rule and Australian SMS system.

SBR:
The RYA/RORC Sportsboat Rule (SBR) was introduced in 1996 as a joint venture between the RYA and the RORC. The numbers of individual boats rated each year have fluctuated largely as a result of popular classes using the rule prior to becoming Recognised One Designs with the highest number rated in any one year being around 250.

Over the successive years, the number of individual boats rated has fallen to just 48 in 2009, therefore the RYA and the RORC have taken the decision that SBR will be discontinued with effect from 1st January 2011 (1st June 2011 in Southern hemisphere countries)
In 2004 and 2010, Cork Week had a mix sportsboat fleet with results calculated using SBR rating certificates. Both the RYA and the RORC were however concerned that the sportsboat fleets should continue to be able to race. To ensure this the RYA promoted and establish Portsmouth numbers for as a few standard sportsboat designs:

Below is a table of compiled of “older” PY ratings found and compiled on an “ad-hoc” basis:

However, only a few are officially listed as a class with a maintained PY handicap on the RYA website for 2015 here

In conclusion, for the purpose of producing fair results in a mix-sportboat class (or classes) in a Irish / Dublin context, we can neither use the defunct SBR (based on boat measurement) system nor its PY “successor” based on results averages in club races in the UK.
We need to look further afield in racing “jurisdictions” where sportsboats are numerous, varied in design and regularly raced. The Australian SMS system (http://www.raceyachts.org/)
The Sportsboat Measurement System (SMS) was introduced in 2008 and during the years has grown substantially. It is now being adopted in a number of other countries and includes many different classes that fit the definitions of a sportsboat.
For example, in Turkey, an active fleet has been established at Kalamış Sailing Club and Sukru Sanus has
measured an inaugural fleet under the SMS system.
The Australian SMS system is also in use in Hong Kong; The sportsboat fleet in Hong Kong voted to adopt SMS and has measured Magic 25's under SMS as a One Design fleet (ie once a boat is rated, all other boats compliant with the particular sportsboat class measurements can use the same rating – see rated boats below)
With new technology and innovative designs, it is impossible to remove all of the inequities on a permanent basis, so the SMS rating formula is updated on a 4 year cycle in line with the issue of each new Racing Rules of Sailing (so updated in 2012, next update in 2016) to accommodate modern designs.

Pricing is also very reasonable. The fee structure was as below for 2015: AUS$ €

Initial Certificate $75.00 €47
Review of Rating $65.00 €41
Revalidated Certificate $65.00 €41
Amended Certificate $65.00 €41
Copies of Certificates $40.00 €25
Test Certificate $40.00 €25
Change of boat name/owner $35.00 €22

SMS system – empirical assessment
The SMS system was first used at the 2008 Meridien Marinas Airlie Beach Race Week, pictured below.
The event had been the test track for new design concepts in this rapidly expanding and exciting class of yacht racing , giving race officials a problem in equating a fleet that ranged from Elliot 7s through to the hitech Stealth 8s and a one-off sports boat designs 
With the exception of one boat - the smallest and least expensive in the fleet - corrected time results under SMS have been 'quite equitable' across the fleet, resulting in generally close handicap results, according to Australian Sport Boats Association (ASBA) secretary Cam Rae.
'We are very pleased with SMS,' Rae said. 'If you look at the results in each race to date you will see close results on corrected time. In race one the top nine boats were less than four minutes apart. In that race we saw two of the fastest and most expensive boats, Vivace, an original Bethwaite 8, and Conquistador, a new sports 8 xx, split by Quantum Sailing, an Egan 6, and probably the least expensive boat in the fleet.'

Boats rated under SMS
There are currently 117 sportsboats rated under the Australian scheme.  Some avail of a “Recognised One Design” handicap (ie all boats compliant with their OD class measurements use the same handicap), some have been measured individually as either once off or modified from their original one design measurements.

Below is a sample of European boat types rated; 

Conclusion on Sportsboats rating system considerations:
The Australian SMS is available for DBSC to use as an affordable, well documented, user friendly and up–to–date, sportsboat specific handicapping system.
It is also notable that the freeware and well known result calculating software “Sailwave” natively support calculating results under the Australian AMS handicap system (and by extension the SMS one by simply inputting the SMS values for each boat in the rating field of the series file)…for an example of such results, please click here

Key recommendations for consideration by DBSC
This document advocates:
- The creation of a mixed-sportboat class
- The use Australian SMS rating system and Sailwave for results if unsupported by YR3
- Eventually / potentially, depending on numbers, the creation of a “high performance”
sportboat class and a “low performance” sportsboat class using Mike Urwin defintions or a
SMS Rating band in line with the IRC bands used by DBSC.

Notes:
- There is no equivalent of “endorsed certificates” in the SMS system
- For practical, speed of introduction of the rating system and to limit the costs to owners, it is
therefore possible to:
o Allocate an already existing SMS rating for previously measured one design boats
(J70 etc)
o Measure 1 boat representative of a group of boats (thinking of the modified 1720s in
use by the RIYC, RSGYC and NYC) and allocate the same SMS rating to all
o “fine” tune rating for individual boats at the request of individual owners…

The world of sportsboats
I have compiled a non exhaustive online database of common sports boats and their characteristics here

Document prepared by Olivier Prouveur
Sailing Manager
National Yacht Club

Dublin Bay Sailing Club Commodore Pat Shannon will retire at tonight's agm. In his final report to members of Ireland's biggest yacht racing club, Shannon leads his annual review with the club's response to the 'misconceived project' of a berth for cruise liners across the middle of the harbour.

The DBSC AGM takes place in the NYC this Monday at 8pm. 

Chris Moore (pictured left above) takes over as Commodore from Shannon. Jonathan Nicholson (from the RSGYC) takes over the Vice-Commodore slot. Peter Fleming will be the new Hon Treasurer in place of Ian Mathews.

The proposal to form a mixed DBSC Sportsboat class will come from the floor. Contary to some rumours, according to DBSC there is no suggestion that the club would favour incorporating DBSC's existing Sportsboat class, the SB20, into the proposed new class. There seems to be a feeling that there is a demand for such a move. All of the waterfront clubs possess 1720s which could be chartered to people who have not got a boat. There have been soundings with owners of J70 and J80s about joining the new class.

The J70 might become part of a new DBSC sportsboat class. Photo: David O'Brien

Interestingly, in the UK, RORC had a separate Sportsboat rule within IRC but it collapsed because of lack of demand. Jenny Howells of RORC says RORC are perfectly happy using the existing IRC system to rate sportsboats. 

At this stage the DBSC officers are regarding all this with some interest but, ultimately, all - as ever -will depend on the numbers who actually sign up for the venture.

Commodore's Report 2015
In this, my final report as Commodore of DBSC, I must – before all else - comment on a matter that has been exercising the minds of the officers of the Dun Laoghaire clubs over the summer – the harbour board’s plans to construct a berth for cruise liners across the middle of the harbour.

Members will be aware how gravely the sailing community in Dun Laoghaire view this misguided proposal. Not only will it seriously affect the thousands of boat owners and their crews to whom sailing is an important part of their lives but it will inflict incalculable environmental damage to a public amenity which all who live on the south side of the capital city regard as the jewel in the crown of all public amenities. We have had some sympathy with the harbour board’s
earlier attempts to create a revenue stream to maintain the harbour but surely that is beside the point. St. Stephens Green is not expected to produce an income.

Nor the Phoenix Park nor the innumerable public amenities throughout the country maintained out of the public purse because life would be much poorer without them.

Our Vice-Commodore, Chris Moore and myself have been part of the DLCC team which has been formulating a collective waterfront response to this misconceived project - a scheme that would see thirteen storey behemoths straddling the most beautiful expanse of sailing water in these islands. We trust, hope and pray that all our objections will be listened to.

With that off our chests, I turn now to the review of the sailing season. The public’s memory of a good summer - which may not necessarily be ours – is that the summer of 2015 was a fairly indifferent affair. Our view, on the other hand, tends to be coloured by the number of times we had to cancel racing because of unsuitable weather conditions.
By that yardstick, it was still an enjoyable season – we have had some terrific sailing winds and great racing.

Cancellations were few: there was only on Saturday, the 6th June, when all racing was cancelled and another (the 2nd May) when only the Cruisers 1 were allowed to race. Three days were lost from the Thursday schedule – all because of little or no wind. Committee vessels On the subject of cancellations, those of us who raced with DBSC when all keelboat racing started and finished at the West pier, will readily appreciate the difference the acquisition of committee boats has made to the quality of our racing.
Nowadays, when the wind drops, race officers can shorten courses or send off ribs to alternative finishing lines. This was impossible in earlier times. We also have proper windward starts and the sort of race management you get when you go to high-level national and international events. 

All this, unfortunately, comes at a price. Committee boats, which go out regularly in all sorts of weather, require a lot of maintenance. No matter how carefully we budget, there is always some unpredictable emergency or perhaps some part to be replaced that can only be obtained abroad.

Overseeing all this has been the task of the Vice–Commodore, Chris Moore, who has had spent long hours ensuring that the committee vessels are fit for purpose and that race officers personnel, drivers and race officers are available to man them. It’s an onerous, time-absorbing job and we are all deeply in his debt.

RIBS
The DBSC patrol team fulfils a vital role in race management, both on dinghy and keelboat courses. It, too, is a considerable expense because, nowadays, rib drivers have to be given some recompense for their efforts. And, also, the ribs themselves must be maintained to a very high level – something on which there can be no skimping.
In fact, this year, the quality of the rib fleet has been augmented, thanks to a grant from the Sports Council which enabled us to acquire a new Humber rib. It arrived too late to be brought into service this season but it will be a valuable addition to the Patrol Team fleet in 2016. Our thanks, first of all, to the Sports Council for the grant, and most particularly, the Rear Commodore, Jonathan O’Rourke, who, most skilfully, guided the application through the volume of documentation that the application entailed.
Above all, we must thank the young people who man the ribs and who did such a wonderful job during the 2015 season. They were all extremely willing and flexible and enabled our sailors to have great racing. Our thanks, too, to Joanne Sheehan, who so ably manages this very complex operation and to the on-the -water supervisor, Declan Traynor.

Marks
The marks service had a busy year of it. For some time it has been obvious that the quality of our fixed marks had been deteriorating and that a replacement programme would have to be put in place. This year - thanks again to the Sports Council grant - we took delivery of six new marks - five more replacements are planned for next year. New mooring chain has also been acquired but this is an on-going annual expense.

We must acknowledge that seasonal marks such as these are sited in a most robust environment and the occasional loss is to be expected. Usually, they are found drifting somewhere in the Bay and, from time to time, they can even travel as far as Cornwall, Wales or Scotland. Merrion Mark went adrift early in the season but was recovered drifting near the shipping channel.

Pier Mark disappeared and at this stage has not been recovered. The green starting mark also came loose but was recovered fairly smartly. It’s Sean Doyle’s challenging task to look after all this and we are most grateful to him for the time and effort he has had to put in to it. Our thanks, too, to Martin Carey who serviced the marks and to Leo Melia and his fishermen associates who put them on station. Our thanks also goes to Brian Mathews, who cast the occasional professional eye on the proceedings. 

Entries and turnouts
The economic gloom may be lifting but it’s taking time for the recovery to trickle down to organisations like ourselves. Subscriptions came to 1220 which was down by 30 on last year and entries were significantly down in some classes – 3 in the case of Shipmans, six for Cruisers 3, 3 for the SB20s. The Laser fleet, in contrast, increased by 17, increasing the net entry figure from 304 in 2014 to 312 in 2015. It’s some distance from the 2009 figure of 401 boats but there is every sign of revival and we are hearing of members who dropped out at the height of the recession indicating their intention to return.
This is not to say that DBSC does not remain a strong, vibrant sailing organisation, attracting entries and turnouts that other racing clubs envy. There are not many high-profile regattas anywhere that can attract 130 entries but that was the average keelboat turnout for DBSC’s Thursday evening racing this year. In fact, the scene in the waterfront clubs after racing on many a Thursday evening with crowds of happy sailors queuing on the forecourts for burgers and refreshments, was very reminiscent of a normal club regatta. Saturday figures are usually less than this, due to the combination of circumstances discussed in earlier reports – the average was 94, if you include Flying 15s and Squibs.

Dinghies
The dinghy scene with DBSC continues to be somewhat of a challenge - indeed as is the case with all sailing centres which have the rival attraction of thriving keelboat fleets. Over the last winter, the DBSC Rear Commodore, Jonathan O’Rourke, and committee member, Joe Hickey, engaged with dinghy representatives to see whether they could tailor a programme that would meet dinghy sailors needs. The consultation was preceded by a questionnaire. Responses were varied and in some cases conflicting but there seems to be a consensus of sorts that Saturday racing does not appeal to the generality of dinghy sailors. There was also a group which objected to paying a boat fee that provided for Saturday racing – in which many of them have no interest whatever.
There was also a sense that DBSC was not reaching out to new boats like the RS200/400. Whatever about the costs of dinghy racing – which has been traditionally subsidised by DBSC’s keelboat fleet – and about which there is no argument at all – the dinghy sub-committee decided to take much of all this on board.
Accordingly, Laser racing was taken out of the Saturday programme, as was racing for Fireballs. Instead two
races were provided for them on Tuesdays and space was provided in the programme for RS200/400 boats.
The IDRAs and Portsmouth Yardstick class opted to continue with the existing programme. Fees were modified to reflect the new pattern of racing.
After all this, the outcome was mixed to say the least. True, the Laser entries increased but that simply brought them back to the 2013 level, the class having seriously fallen away in 2014. It is true also, it must be said, that the Tuesday racing proved very popular with all dinghy classes, particularly the two-race formula.
The Harbour option also proved very popular also on days when there was too much wind to race outside –
or when there was not enough of it. Our thanks to the Harbour Master, Captain Coate, for his agreement to this.
The RS boats, despite intensive canvassing, just simply did not appear: only two boats entered whose owners had already been DBSC sailors.

Volunteers
With over 850 scheduled races spread over five months of the year and racing taking place five days week, the
Club is hugely dependent on a wide range of volunteers. The flight of years, alas, has taken its toll at the West Pier Hut whose occupants have always enjoyed the warm regard of DBSC sailors.

This year we were without the services of Anna O’Connor and Jacqueline McKenna, who must have officiated at the West Pier for forty years or more. Carmel Winkelmann’s voice, precise, clear, authoritive, no longer rang out over the airwaves in Dublin Bay though Carmel herself continued to meet the teams before racing on the RIYC, updating starting lists and attending to other necessary documentation. Of the original West Pier team, only Wendy Batten remains - irrepressible and well-nigh irreplaceable.

Pat Shannon presents the Viking award for an outstanding contribution to sailing to Wendy Batten. Photo: Joe Fallon

Miraculously, and probably due to earlier coaching, these departures scarcely impacted on the smooth running of the West Pier operation. Debbie Horan has been at the Hut for some seasons now and two new recruits, Therese Tyrrell and Marie Branigan proved to be worthy successors to Anna and Jacqueline. The MacLir team, too, has had its losses. In last year’s report, we looked forward to the return of Caroline Leonard, who had been in indifferent health for some time. It was not to be, unfortunately, for Caroline passed away on the 9 th March, leaving us all bereft. Westill miss her leadership qualities, her warmth, her gift for friendship and great enthusiasm. However, the MacLir team was largely Caroline’s creation and, with Ida Kiernan guiding it, continued to maintain its high standards.Hal Bleakley, as was signalled in last year’s report, hung up his sailing boots at the end of the 2014 season. Not entirely so because when we found ourselves without a race officer for the last Saturday race, Hal happily stepped in. Eddie Totterdell, most ably and with considerable aplomb, has taken his place on Thursdays evenings to control the Blue fleet. The Saturday afternoon slot has been has been filled by a panel of experienced race officers. The latter included Con Murphy, just appointed, we learn, an Olympic race officer. Jack Roy, now DBSC’s chief racing officer, who controls the Thursday red fleet on Thursday evenings, fulfilled the same function during the last Olympics at Weymouth. DBSC race officials Rosemary and Jack Roy. Photo: Joe Fallon

I must also thank Suzanne McGarry, who in addition to officiating on the dinghy course also stood in for Richella Carroll on Tuesdays as did Fintan Cairns, not forgetting either Barry O’Neill, who has been very helpful in many ways besides officiating as race officer on Sundays for the SB20s.

With race officers of this quality, and state of the art committee boats – not to mention participants who frequently win prizes at national and international events – the DBSC project is far from “just club racing” as it might be dismissively described from time to time. Cruiser Challenge
By all accounts, this year’s Cruiser Challenge, hosted by the National Yacht Club was a most enjoyable affair,
with strong winds on the first day’s racing making it challenge in every sense. There were 52 entries for the event, mostly from local boats, down somewhat on last year, but thanks to Sean Doyle’s organisational skills and careful budgeting, it realised a modest surplus. Davy’s Stockbrokers sponsorship of the event was also most appreciated.

Finances
Effectively, we have broken even for the year despite a fall in boat entries and subscriptions which was offset by the BAM sponsorship and the sale of a surplus rib. The incoming Committee will continue to encourage more boat entries and seek more sponsorship opportunities.

DBSC Committee
This year, as usual, and in conformity with DBSC’s articles of association, two members have to resign as directors from the DBSC board. This does not in the least impinge on their executive functions and Sean Doyle and Trina Milner, the two members technically retiring this year, will happily continue to serve DBSC with their customary zeal and effectiveness.
We are also losing Ian Mathews, who has been our Hon.Treasurer for the last six years. As Hon Treasurer, Ian kept us all strictly on the path of financial rectitude. He introduced a budgetary system and the fact that he finishes his term of office with the Club in a sound financial state is tribute to his wise and careful control of our financial resources. All this, despite the fact that his time in office coincided with the worst recession in living memory. We are all deeply in his debt.
He is being succeeded by Peter Fleming, from the same profession, whom RIYC members will remember from his time on that Club’s committee.
Leaving us also at the AGM will be the Hon.Protest Secretary, Tom Mulligan, who likewise has given six years’ service to DBSC. It’s no easy task, dealing with the protests and arguments that are inseparable from a competitive sport and we are all very grateful to Tom for the time and energy he devoted to the job.

Winter Racing
In the days before Dun Laoghaire acquired a Marina and DBSC has no committee vessels, the idea of racing in the winter months was unthinkable. Now, the Turkey Shoot series (November/December) and the Spring Chicken series (Feb/March) are so popular that the club secretariat is receiving anxious enquiries from potential participants’ long before Fintan Cairns, the organiser of all this has even got round to putting up the notice of race.
You’re not supposed to take it too seriously. You can even get additionally handicapped if you don’t greet Fintan and the committee boat with proper respect. Afterwards, there is light a lunch, drinks and a most cheerful prize giving after each race in either the RIYC or the NYC. Our thanks to Fintan, for making it all happen, to Henry Leonard and the committee boat team who come out in all sorts of weather, and Brian Mathews who with Fintan presides over the raffles and prize giving with such wit and good humour.

Gratitude
Finally, it’s my pleasure to thank all the people whose generosity makes DBSC such a successful organisation.
With over fifty volunteers, it’s simply impossible to list them without innocently causing offence by leaving somebody out. The names of the more regular volunteers are printed in the yearbook and on the website.
I also thank our sponsors, BAM, Davy’s, Killen Marine, MGM Boats, Rathfarnham Ford and SagePay I should not forget the staff and management of the Dun Laoghaire clubs for their help and cooperation. Nor the management and harbour masters of Dublin Port and Dun Laoghaire Harbour (however we may differ
with the latter over the cruiser liner issue!). 

Conclusion 

For me it’s been a source of enormous pleasure to have served Dublin Bay Sailing Club, first as committee member, then as Vice-Commodore and for the last three years, as Commodore. I would like to thank the members of DBSC for supporting the Club during my time with DBSC.

I would like to thank the Committee and all who gave up their time to make racing happen for all of us throughout the year. Thanks also to Bairbre O’Sullivan who is in charge of our membership and helps out in various other ways.
Finally, I would like to thank Donal O’Sullivan for his wise council, support, hard work and friendship. I can only admire his energy, commitment, and ability to help run Dublin Bay Sailing Club. It has been a pleasure to work with him. I wish him and the new team the very best for 2016 and the coming years and wish all members a very enjoyable 2016.

Fair winds,
Pat Shannon.
Commodore

See DBSC 2015 annual prizegiving photo gallery here

After a two week delay the Rathfarnham Ford sponsored DBSC Turkey Shoot got underway on Dublin Bay last weekend with an entry of 74 boats, up ten from last year. Results downloadable below.

The six week series is set to be extended until December 20th as a result of earlier postponements. Organisers are also seeking to stage two races on one Sunday morning using an earlier start time.

Start times, handicaps and results to date are attached for downloading below for this Sunday's race.

 

After losing the first two races of the 2015 Dublin Bay Sailing Club Turkey Shoot Series, team Irish National Sailing & Powerboat School on board their 1720 Sportsboat Oi! were keen to get racing last Sunday. With a less than favourable forecast, but more manageable conditions on the day, race officer Henry Leonard & event organiser Fintan Cairns made the call early that we were going racing!

With 11 1720s entered, there were only five who made it to the start line of the first race. Oi! (Team INS&PS Skipper Kenneth Rumball) took the committee boat end of the line with Déjà Vu! (Skipper Ben Cooke) and Lady A (Skippered by RIYC Instructors) taking the pin end, at first it looked like Oi! may have made the right call but Déjà Vu! and Lady A got the early cross ahead of Oi!. By the weather mark, Déjà Vu, and Lady A had a comfortable lead over Oi!, Key Events was not far behind with George (1720 IRL 1780) a little bit late for the start but now in the mix. Down the first run, Déjà Vu and Lady A headed out to the right of the course while Oi!, took an early gybe out to the left of the course into a big gust where the team jumped on the 1720 express train down to the bottom mark where they had closed the gap between them and Lady A to only a few boat lengths. 2 more laps of the gusty windward leeward saw Déjà Vu extend their lead while Oi! managed to overtake Lady A on the last downwind and then extend upwind.

All in all a great windy days racing with a great course and sensible shortening by the race committee.

Three generations of the Goodbody family from the Royal Irish Yacht Club collected prizes at DBSC's annual prizegiving on Friday night. Tim Goodboby, was the winner of both Thursday and Saturday racing overall in the Sigma 33 class. Son Richard also won both Thursday and Saturday DBSC series in the Dragon class. Grandchildren Max and Georgia Godbody were the RS Feva September Series winner of the Mitchell Cup. 

DBSC Hon Sec and Historian, Donal O'Sullivan told the annual gathering 'We start tonight with a slight departure from the usual practice. We're marking this evening a most extraordinary and unheard of event - awarding prizes to three generations of the same family - The Goodbodys - Tim, the grandfather, who has graced the podium before on innumerable occasions, Richard, the son, likewise and now the grandson, Max, for the first time ever at a Dublin Bay event. Grandaughter Georgia shared Max's achievement'.

The prizes awarded were: Timothy Goodbody (in the Sigma 33 /White //M//ischief/) Fireseal Sigma 33 Trophy; J.B. Stephens Trophy; Bective Lights Crystal Trophy Richard Goodbody (with partner Rick Johnson) in the Dragon Diva: Oxford & Cambridge Cup; Old Time Cup; RIYC Cup Max Goodbody in the RS Feva 5241 The Mitchell Trophy

The Dublin Bay Sailing Club (DBSC) prizegiving was a highlight of the Dun Laoghaire sailing season and held at a packed Royal St.George YC clubhouse on Friday evening. Prizes, including an array of ancient yachting silverware, were awarded in all of DBSC's 22 classes by Commodore Pat Shannon.

Full list of DBSC Prizewinners HERE. 

 

In what has turned out to be an inauspicious start to the 2015 DBSC Turkey Shoot series, organisers seek to get their first race this Sunday after two cancellations – and no racing so far – for the 53–boat fleet. Undaunted by this weekend's breezy forecast DBSC will not give a cancellation notice on Saturday (like last weekend) but instead are to make a call from the race course on Sunday morning, all in the hope of getting the first race of the series underway.

Racing starts and handicaps for Sunday's racing are downloadable below.

Meanwhile the winners have been announced for tonight's DBSC prizegiving at the Royal St. George Yacht Club. All the winners are listed here

The Dublin Bay Sailing Club (DBSC) prizegiving highlight of the Dun Laoghaire sailing season will be held tonight at what is expected to be a packed Royal St.George YC clubhouse. Prizes, including an array of ancient yachting silverware, will be awarded in all of DBSC's 22 classes by Commodore Pat Shannon. 

DBSC Premier Awards include the Waterhouse Shield and in 2015 it is awarded to Cruisers II yacht Peridot (J.McCann, Y.Charrier, P.Cadden and H.O’Donnell) for the most successful yacht in handicapped classes.

The George Arthur Newsom Cup trophy for the most successful yacht in one-design classes goes to Michael O'Connor's SB20 Sin Bin (pictured above)

The Dun Laoghaire Harbour Trophy for the most successful new yacht in DBSC racing goes to Conor Ronan's Ruthless.

The Dr. Alf Delany Memorial Cup, for the most successful boat racing on dinghy courses goes to Tom Murphy's  Ok Dinghy.

The Brendan Ebrill Memorial Cup is awarded to Royal Irish skipper Colin Byrne sailing the Xp–33 Bon Exemple.

A full list of DBSC's 131st season prizegiving is below:

Cup and Trophy Winners 2015
Centenary Trophy (4)	Cruisers 0	Lively Lady	Derek	Martin	Saturday Echo overall
Knox-Gore Bowl (1)	Cruisers 0	Tsunami	Vincent	Farrell	Thursday Echo overall
Knox-Gore Cup (2)	Cruisers 0	WOW	George	Sisk	Saturday IRC overall
Martin Cup (3)	Cruisers 0	WOW	George	Sisk	Thursday IRC overall
Tiamat Trophy (6)	Cruisers 1	Gringo	Tony	Fox	Thursday Echo overall
Osterberg Cup (5)	Cruisers 1	Gringo	Tony	Fox	Saturday Echo overall
Weir Cup (8)	Cruisers 1	Something Else	John & Brian	Hall	Saturday IRC overall
West Pier Officers cup (7)	Cruisers 1	Something else	John & Brian	Hall	Thursday IRC overall
Briscoe Trophy (9)	Cruisers 2	Bendemeer	Lindsay J. Casy	& Denis Power	Tuesday Echo overall
Silver Foam Trophy (77)	Cruisers 2	Jester	Declan	Curtin	Most improved boat
Centenary Cup (10)	Cruisers 2	Peridot	Jim	McCann & others	Thursday ECHO overall
T.P. Early Cup (11)	Cruisers 2	Peridot	Jim	McCann & others	Saturday Echo overall
Silver Salver (12)	Cruisers 2	Peridot	Jim	McCann & others	Saturday IRC overall
Lady Shamrock Trophy (13)	Cruisers 2	Peridot	Jim	McCann & others	Thursday IRC overall
Jack Kennedy Memorial Cup (15)	Cruisers 3	Hard on Port	Flor	O'Driscoll	Saturday IRC overall
Mercia Cup (16)	Cruisers 3	Hard on Port	Flor	O'Driscoll	Saturday Echo overall
Annette Cup (90)	Cruisers 3(b)	Papytoo	Maurice Walsh &	Frank Guilfoyle	Tuesday overall
Smalldridge Cup	Cruisers 3	Supernova	J.McStay. J.Timbs,	J.Monaghan, J.Costello	Thursday IRC overall (3a)
Viking clock Trophy	Cruisers 3	Supernova	J.McStay. J.Timbs,	J.Monaghan, J.Costello	Thursday Echo overall
Sanderling Trophy (14)	Cruisers 3(b)	Asterix	M.Boushel, F.Mitchell l &	J.Counihan	Thursday IRC overall (3b)
Whimbrel Rose Bowl (19)	Cruisers 3(b)	Saki	Paget McCormack &	Ben & Ml..Ryan	Thursday Echo overall
Anna Livia Trophy (22)	Cruisers 5	Calypso	Howard	Knott	Saturday Echo overall
Gerry Henry Salver (20)	Cruisers 5	More Mischief	Eamonn	Doyle	Thursday Echo overall
White Sail Class Trophy (21)	Cruisers 5	Persistence	C.Broadhead, Ian Stuart	& Jerry Collins	Saturday IRC overall
Burford Trophy (23)	Cruisers 5	Persistence	C.Broadhead, Ian Stuart	& Jerry Collins	Thursday IRC overall
Rupert Bowl (26)	Sigmas 33	White Mischief	T.N.	Goodbody	1st Saturday Series-Trophy
Fireseal Sigma 33 Trophy (24)	Sigmas 33	White Mischief	T.N.	Goodbody	Thursdays overall
J.B. Stephens Trophy (25)	Sigmas 33	White Mischief	T.N.	Goodbody	Thursday & Sats combined
Bective Lights Crystal Trophy (27)	Sigmas 33	White Mishief	T.N.	Goodbody	Saturday overall
Long John Silver Cup (29)	31.7s	Attitude	Trina Milner, John Sugars	& David Owens	Saturday Overall- Echo
Horrigan Cup (28)	31.7s	Prospect	Chris	Johnston	Thursday Overall -Echo
Feanor Trophy (31)	31.7s	Prospect	Chris	Johnston	Thursday overall One-Design
Arandora Trophy (30)	31.7s	Prospect	Chris	Johnston	Saturday Overall-One Design
Oxford & Cambridge Cup (33)	Dragons	Diva	Rick& Rob Johnson	Richard Goodbody	Thursday overall
Old Time Cup (87)	Dragons	Diva	Rick& Rob Johnson	Richard Goodbody	Combined Sunday & Thursday
RIYC Cup (32)	Dragons	Diva	Rick& Rob Johnson	Richard Goodbody	Saturdays Overall
Torry Cup (88)	Dragons	Zu	Matt Minch &	Tim Pearson & Conor Grimley	Special conditions
Pterodactyl Cup (34)	Glens	Glenmarissa	Frank	Elmes	Thursday overall
Glen Challenge Trophy (35)	Glens	Glendun	David	Houlton	Crews races
Hamilton Reid (38)	Glens	Glendun	B.Denham,D.Houlton	JMcCambridge	Dalkey Island Race
Harry Maguire Memorial Cup (36)	Glens	Glenluce	Donal H.	O'Connor	Saturday overall
Pair of Silver Vases (39)	Glens	Glenluce	Lucy	Grant	Ladies Race
The McMullen Cup (37)	Glens	Glenluce	Donal H. O'Connor &	Richard O'Connor	Sts & Thurs combined + regatta
Commodore O'Meara Trophy	Glens	Glenluce	Donal H. O'Connor &	Richard O'Connor	Olympic races
British Airways Trophy (44)	Ruffians	Bandit	Ann	Kirwan	Saturday Overall
J.Lamont Brown Trophy (42)	Ruffians	Bandit	Ann	Kirwan	Sat & Thurs overall
John Donnelly Perpetual Cup (41)	Ruffians	Crescendo	Lorcan	Balfe	Best Tuesday Boat
Huet Trophy (43)	Ruffians	Diane II	Chris Helme &	Alan Claffey	Thursday overall
The Malindi Cup (46)	Shipmans	Gusto	Christine Heath, G. Miles &	C, Duggan, G.Crisp	Saturdays overall
The Midweek Trophy (45)	Shipmans	Gusto	Christine Heath, G. Miles &	C, Duggan, G.Crisp	Thursdays overall
The Shipman Perpetual Trophy (47)	Shipmans	Malindi	Anrew Gray &	Bernard Smith	Special conditions
Sunday SB3 Cup (51)	SB20	Sin Bin	Michael	O'Connor	Sunday overall
Bealtaine Trophy (49)	SB20	Sin Bin	Michael	O'Connor	Special Conditions
Equinox Trophy (50)	SB20	Sin Bin	Michael	O'Connor	Special Conditions- 3rd series)
Lunasa Trophy (48)	SB20	Sin Bin	Michael	O'Connor	Special Conditions (Sunday Series 2 etc)
Crichton Trophy (52)	SB20	Sin Bin	Michael	O'Connor	Thursday overall
Blue Bird Trophy (55)	Water Wags	Mollie	Cathy	McAleavey	Wags Series 1
G.Pugin Melden Trophy (53)	Water Wags	Mollie	Cathy	McAleavey	Wags Series 2
Goldsmith Cup (54)	Water Wags	Mollie	Cathy	McAleavey	Wednesday Overall
Flying Fifteen Gun (56)	Flying 15's	Flyer	Niall	Coleman	Thursday overall
Fifty Somethings Cup	Flying 15	Frequent Flyer	Chris Doorley &	Alan Green	First Thursday Series
Blake Cup (89)	Flying 15's	Hi Fibre	Michael McCambridge &	Peter Murphy	Special Conditions
Brian S.Ryan Trophy (57)	Flying 15's	The Gruffalo	Keith Poole &	Ian Mathews	Saturday overall
J.B.Kearney Shield (61)	Mermaids	Aideen	Brendan Martin &	Dan Brennan	Saturday-special conditions
Iolar Cup (59)	Mermaids	Jill	Paul Smith &	Pat Mangan	Saturday overall
Amy Cup (58)	Mermaids	Jill	Paul Smith &	Pat Mangan	Tuesday Overall
Stella Cup (60)	Mermaids	Tijuana	David	Stedmond	Thursday;special conditions
Shannon Cup (62)	Squibs	Femme Fatale	Vincent	Delaney	Saturday Overall
Minx Trophy (63)	Squibs	Perfection	Jill	Fleming	Thursday Overall
Nuits St.George Trophy (64)	Fireballs	Fireball 15061	Stephen	Oram	Tuesday overall
Half-Way Trophy (80)	IDRA 14's	Chaos	Ruth & Pam	McKay	Special Conditions
Melampus Cup (78)	IDRA 14's	Doody	Jennifer Byrne &	John Fitzgerald	Special conditions
The Kennedy Cup (66)	IDRA 14's	Dunmoanin'	Frank	Hamilton	Saturday overall
Bay Cup (67)	IDRA 14's	Dunmoanin'	Frank	Hamilton	Tuesday overall
Crews Challenge Cup (79)	IDRA14's	Slipstream	Heather	Keenan	Special Conditions
The Windmill Cup (68)	PY	KI Dinghy 59	Tom	Murphy	Tuesday overall
Early Bird Trophy (71)	PY	Milky Bar Kid	Hugh	Sheehy	1st series Tues, & Sat.combined
The Lanaverre Trophy	Laser PY	Buster III	Gary	O'Hare	Tuesday overall
Sailcraft Tray (69)	Laser PY	180353	Rob	Cahill	Tuesday overall-2nd place
Pioneer Trophy (85)	Lasers 4.7	Laser 4.7 173012	Luke	Daly	Laser September Series
Seapoint Cup (82)	Optimists	Opt. 1400	Hannah	Leonard	Optimist September Series
PY Junior Trophy	PY	PY 4616	Odhran	Prouveur	PY September Series
Mitchell Cup (83)	RS Feva	RSFeva 5241	Max	Goodbody	RS Fever September Series
Lawson Cup (84)	Toppers	Topper 45793	Hugh	O'Connor	Topper September Series