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#riverliffey - Operating on the River Liffey of our capital city is Dublin Discovered Boat Tours which this summer welcomed overseas visitors, so who were the top five nationalities? to have taken the cruise, writes Jehan Ashmore.

But before these nationalities are revealed, the 45-minute cruise tours not just for tourists and they continue to operate beyond the high-season from Bachelors Walk (close to O'Connoll Briddge). In addition the cruises have an expert guide while cruising downriver on board the 48 seat 'Spirit of Docklands' . The tour commentary been both interesting and fun for all ages. 

Stepping on board Spirit of Docklands, the purpose built craft offers sight-seeing cruises given the large windows and a glass roof above to maximise views along the Liffey Quays. So what about those top five nationalities... that came on board in the capital during summer of 2017, they are as follows:

1. UK
2. US
3. Ireland
4. Germany
5. France

Now that's been revealed, some further details about the tours that begin with the iconic Ha’penny Bridge, before heading downriver towards the sea. En route is Liberty Hall, the beautiful 18th century Custom House and then through the 'Docklands' quarter. It is here where modern architecture is intersperseed with remnants of the old working port in the form of Georgian warehouses (Afloat will have more about this) and memorials to Ireland’s past.

Also along the way is another Liffey floating attraction, the replica 19th century famine-emigrant museum barque Jeanie Johnston. The tour cruises as far as the Samuel Beckett swing-bridge (designed by Calatrava), where the river opens out, before returning to Bachelors Walk.

 

Published in Dublin Port
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The Half Ton Class was created by the Offshore Racing Council for boats within the racing band not exceeding 22'-0". The ORC decided that the rule should "....permit the development of seaworthy offshore racing yachts...The Council will endeavour to protect the majority of the existing IOR fleet from rapid obsolescence caused by ....developments which produce increased performance without corresponding changes in ratings..."

When first introduced the IOR rule was perfectly adequate for rating boats in existence at that time. However yacht designers naturally examined the rule to seize upon any advantage they could find, the most noticeable of which has been a reduction in displacement and a return to fractional rigs.

After 1993, when the IOR Mk.III rule reached it termination due to lack of people building new boats, the rule was replaced by the CHS (Channel) Handicap system which in turn developed into the IRC system now used.

The IRC handicap system operates by a secret formula which tries to develop boats which are 'Cruising type' of relatively heavy boats with good internal accommodation. It tends to penalise boats with excessive stability or excessive sail area.

Competitions

The most significant events for the Half Ton Class has been the annual Half Ton Cup which was sailed under the IOR rules until 1993. More recently this has been replaced with the Half Ton Classics Cup. The venue of the event moved from continent to continent with over-representation on French or British ports. In later years the event is held biennially. Initially, it was proposed to hold events in Ireland, Britain and France by rotation. However, it was the Belgians who took the ball and ran with it. The Class is now managed from Belgium. 

At A Glance – Half Ton Classics Cup Winners

  • 2017 – Kinsale – Swuzzlebubble – Phil Plumtree – Farr 1977
  • 2016 – Falmouth – Swuzzlebubble – Greg Peck – Farr 1977
  • 2015 – Nieuwport – Checkmate XV – David Cullen – Humphreys 1985
  • 2014 – St Quay Portrieux – Swuzzlebubble – Peter Morton – Farr 1977
  • 2013 – Boulogne – Checkmate XV – Nigel Biggs – Humphreys 1985
  • 2011 – Cowes – Chimp – Michael Kershaw – Berret 1978
  • 2009 – Nieuwpoort – Général Tapioca – Philippe Pilate – Berret 1978
  • 2007 – Dun Laoghaire – Henri-Lloyd Harmony – Nigel Biggs – Humphreys 1980~
  • 2005 – Dinard – Gingko – Patrick Lobrichon – Mauric 1968
  • 2003 – Nieuwpoort – Général Tapioca – Philippe Pilate – Berret 1978

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