Johnston Holds the Lead But Only by a Point From Blaney at Beneteau 31.7 Irish Championship

31st August 2024

Michael Blaney's After You Too... (to windward) and Eoin O'Driscoll's Kernach locked in a port tack duel after rounding a leeward mark on day two of the Beneteau 31.7 Irish Championship at the Royal Irish Yacht Club Credit: Afloat

Defending Beneteau 31.7 champion Chris Johnston in Propsect leads into Sunday's final races but only has a one point margin over Royal St. George challenger Michael Blaney in After You Too...

Above Chris Johnston's Prospect leads downwind and below her crew during light air windward work at the Beneteau 31.7 Irish championships Photo: Afloat (Above) Chris Johnston's Prospect leads downwind and (below) her crew during light air windward work at the Beneteau 31.7 Irish championships on Dublin Bay Photo: Afloat

Above Chris Johnston's Prospect leads downwind and below her crew during light air windward work at the Beneteau 31.7 Irish championships on Dublin Bay Photo: Afloat

The one-design championships are also being raced for under ECHO handicap and incorporated into this weekend's Unio ICRA National Championships at the Royal Irish Yacht Club in Dun Laoghaire Harbour for the first time.

Beneteau 31.7s racing for Irish championship honours head for a downwind finish at the RIYC Spirit of the Irish Committee Boat on day two of the Dublin Bay championships Photo: Afloat

For a second day, light but stable easterly winds have allowed a full programme of races to be staged on Dublin Bay, with two Sunday's final two races -again in forecast light winds – to be the championship deciders.

Michael Blaney's After You Too crosses the finish line and celebrates a race win in race three of the Beneteau 31.7 National Championships Photo: Afloat

The National Yacht Club's Johnston counts 1 (3) 3 2 1 after five races sailed to be on seven points, just one ahead of Blaney, who counts (3) 2 1 3 2.

Lying third is Michael Bryson's Bluefin Two on 11.

Nick Holman's Extreme Reality leads on ECHO handicap in the ten boat fleet.

Nick Holman's Extreme Reality leads on ECHO handicap Photo: Afloat

Race Results

You may need to scroll vertically and horizontally within the box to view the full results

Published in Beneteau 31.7, Royal Irish Yacht Club, ICRA

Published in Beneteau 31.7

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Beneteau

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Beneteau 31.7 sailing in Ireland

In Ireland, the Beneteau First 31.7 Ireland One Design Class Association encourages and develop the use of the Beneteau First 31.7 yacht as a one-design keelboat, mainly for racing.

Each year the association stages national championships with boats coming from different sailing across Ireland. The main centre is Dun Laoghaire Harbour where the bulk of the fleet (15 boats) are based at the National Yacht club but are moored at Dun Laoghaire Marina.

The Beneteau 31.7 boat is not new to Dublin Bay, as boats of this size and type have competed in DBSC in the Cruiser 2 class for some years.

However during the 2006 season, due to their increased numbers, DBSC granted the class its own racing start, thereby facilitating one-design racing for this cruiser/racer.

Since then it has become one of the biggest one-design keelboat classes on the Bay.

One-design rules were drawn up to discourage modifications, maintain a level playing field and set a generally ‘Corinthian’ ethos.

To preserve the cruising dimension, the boat races with cushions aboard.

Numbers entered in DBSC have settled down to approx 15-18 boats, and regular Thursday and Saturday attendances over the season are usually of the order of 14 to 16 boats, reflecting good participation by members. Racing is close and competitive.

In addition to scratch results, ECHO results are also posted. This combines the best of both worlds, providing one-design racing which the members like, while also providing an incentive and interest in turning out for those boats who may not always approach podium position on scratch.

At A Glance – Beneteau First 31.7 Specifications

L.O.A 9.61 m
Hull length 9.50 m
L.W.L. 8.80 m
Beam 3.23 m
Draught min (Deep draught keel) Cast iron 1.90 m
Ballast weight (Deep draught keel) 1 025 kg
Air draught (max) 13.90 m
Light displacement (EC) 3 750 kg
Fuel capacity 30 l
Freshwater capacity 160 l
Engine power 21 HP