With the passing of the Summer Solstice, it was time again to focus one’s gaze from celestial to nautical observations, in particular the E-Boat National Championships of 2019 hosted over the weekend of 6-7 July by Clontarf Yacht & Boat Club, writes Findlay MacDonald.

Ian Sargent was this year’s Principal Race Officer. He made use of the very light conditions, wisely choosing to set two days of sailing within the confines of Dublin Port. Setting courses on the open sea and strong tide would have hampered and delayed racing and would not have allowed a full six races to be run.

Nevertheless, in near perfect ‘lake conditions’, excellent courses were set each day providing lively competition for all — testing both tactics and boat-handling of all competitors.

This year’s Nationals saw a good turnout of six local boats and three very warmly welcomed boats from the Skerries Sailing Club fleet, which sailed down to Howth the evening before and headed straight to the start line on Saturday morning (Eaglet, due to engine trouble, unfortunately missed the first race).

Last year’s champion Pat O’Neil and OctopussE were not present, with him being heavily engaged in campaigning his J80 and preparing for their World Championships in Spain (though missed, we wish him well in his endeavours and await his return to the fleet). With several boats in ascendancy in both fleets, odds were even across four to five boats on who might lift this year’s crown.

Steady light airs (5-7 knots) were generally from the East for the weekend, meaning ‘clean air’ was the most important criteria. Skerries’ Easy Go in Race 1 and 2 (windward returns) sped off the start line in good air avoiding congestion at the committee boat. Enchantress, and Eagle Eye (CY&BC) who showed good form in club racing this season, followed but failed to catch Easy Go who claimed the first 2 races.

The battle for second and third was very open

Race 3 saw a change in course layout from an Offset to an Olympic. Wylie Coyote finished with a commanding lead in a hotly contested race where positions from first to fourth fluctuated on each leg. Eaglet finished second, and Easy Go scored third to finish the day with a clear points lead. The battle for second and third was very open.

On Day 2, the race officer took full advantage of the space within the entire harbour, setting excellent Olympic courses. The second leg, a run down close to Bull Island promenade, made a perfect grandstand for onshore spectators and Sunday strollers.

Again, conditions were light but constant, requiring only slight course alterations between races which were run efficiently and promptly, and started with little bias in the start line.

Race 4 saw Enchantress executing a perfect race, leading with pace from the line to the finish, tactically controlling the race from the front. In Race 5, Enchantress, on port, found themselves rolled at the top mark as they were closed out of the lay-line as the fleet came around closely packed together. Good boat handling saw Enchantress come back to third. The race went to Easy Go who now had a commanding lead in the series. Skerries’ Eaglet again showed strong form and saw off competition to finish second in the race.

For the last race of the day, winds were waning but still a fiercely contested race was had. Local boats Euro and Wylie contested valiantly but were no match for Easy Go and Eaglet. Easy Go looked good for a fourth bullet at the last mark rounding, but Eaglet had the speed on the sprint to the line and claimed a deserved first. Euro, having been in the running for the race, just didn't quite have enough juice in the engine and finished the day only yards behind second.

Wylie Coyote and Eagle Eye in the last 100 yards looked good for claiming fourth but were beaten by the beautiful E-Type who came up the last beat at speed on a fresh breeze after rounding the last mark in seventh.

With many boats sporting fresh crew, it was good to see a mix of results and closeness in the racing

In 15 years of competing in the E Boat Nationals, this year’s deserved National Champion was Paul Hick and his seasoned team on Easy Go. A strong performance and result that was a long time coming, it was great to see them succeed having missed out previously by only a few points. Enchantress (skipper Findlay MacDonald) and Eaglet (skipper Bernie Grogan) were this year’s runners-up.

With many boats sporting fresh crew, it was good to see a mix of results across the championship and closeness in the racing. There is great potential in the fleet and next year’s championship will again be hotly contested as crews refine and boats improve. Thanks goes to the hosts at CY&BC, and all crews for enthusiasm and camaraderie for making e-boats a fun and lively class.

The E-Boat Class comprises classic IOR Mini-Tonner light displacement racing yachts, designed by Julian Everett — designer of many an elegant yacht. They are a competitive one-design, rate well in IRC and have won the ICRA National Championships. Fleets in Skerries and Clontarf remain active and engaged and are always welcoming of new boats and skippers.

Click HERE for the full championship results.