The Howth 17 is a type of keelboat. It is a 3-man single-design keelboat designed to race in the waters off Howth and Dublin Bay.

How long is a Howth 17?

The Howth Seventeen is just 22ft 6ins in hull length.

Why are Howth 17s so famous?

The boat is the oldest one-design keelboat racing class in the world and it is still racing today to its original design exclusively at Howth Yacht club. It has important historical and heritage value keep alive by a vibrant class of members who race and cruise the boats.

How many Howth 17s are racing today?

Although 21 boats are in existence, a full fleet rarely sails buy turnouts for the annual championships are regularly in the high teens.

Who designed the Howth 17?

The plans of the Howth 17 were originally drawn by Walter Herbert Boyd in 1897 for Howth Sailing Club. The boat was launched in Ireland in 1898.

Who built the original Howth 17s?

They were originally built by John Hilditch at Carrickfergus, County Down. Initially, five boats were constructed by him and sailed the 90-mile passage to Howth in the spring of 1898. The latest Number 21 was built in France in 2017.

Why were the Howth 17s designed and built?

The Howth 17s were designed to combat local conditions in Howth that many of the keel-less boats of that era such as the 'Half-Rater' would have found difficult.

How many Howth 17s were built?

The original fleet of five, Rita, Leila, Silver Moon, Aura and Hera, was increased in 1900 with the addition of Pauline, Zaida and Anita. By 1913 the class had increased to fourteen boats. The extra nine were commissioned by Dublin Bay Sailing Club for racing from Kingstown (Dún Laoghaire) - Echo, Sylvia, Mimosa, Deilginis, Rosemary, Gladys, Bobolink, Eileen and Nautilus. Gradually the boats found their way to Howth from various places, including the Solent and by the latter part of the 20th century they were all based there. The class, however, was reduced to 15 due to mishaps and storm damage for a few short years but in May 1988 Isobel and Erica were launched at Howth Yacht Club, the boats having been built in a shed at Howth Castle - the first of the class actually built in Howth.

What are Howth 17s constructed of?

The basic wooden Howth 17 specification was for a stem and keel of oak and elm, deadwood and frames of oak, planking of yellow pine above the waterline and red pine below, a shelf of pitch pine and a topstrake of teak, larch deck-beams and yellow pine planking and Baltic spruce spars with a keel of lead. Other than the inclusion of teak, the boats were designed to be built of materials which at that time were readily available. However today yellow pine and pitch pine are scarce, their properties of endurance and longevity much appreciated and very much in evidence on the original five boats.

How many races do the Howth 17s sail in any given year?

It is always a busy 60-race season of regular midweek evening and Saturday afternoon contests plus regattas and the Howth Autumn League

Name a famous Howth 17?

The 1907-built Deiliginis have recently made it four in a row for the national title that Deilginis has won at least six times in all.

What are some big recent events in the Howth 17 class?

In 2017, a new Howth 17 Orla, No 21, was built for Ian Malcolm. The construction of Orla began in September 2016 at Skol ar Mor, the boat-building school run by American Mike Newmeyer and his dedicated team of instructor-craftsmen at Mesquer in southern Brittany. In 2018, Storm Emma wrought extensive destruction through the seven Howth Seventeens stored in their much-damaged shed on Howth’s East Pier at the beginning of March 2018, it was feared that several of the boats – which since 1898 have been the very heart of Howth sailing – would be written off. But in the end only one – David O’Connell’s Anita built in 1900 by James Clancy of Dun Laoghaire – was assessed as needing a complete re-build. Anita was rebuilt by Paul Robert and his team at Les Ateliers de l’Enfer in Douarnenez in Brittany in 2019 and Brought home to Howth.

What is the sail area of a Howth 17?

The total sail area is 305 sq ft (28.3 m2)

Displaying items by tag: Trinity regatta

21st April 2018

Trinity's Women Rowers and British Olympians Star at Islandbridge

#Rowing: Trinity won the women’s senior eight at Trinity Regatta. The host crew were commanding winners over a Commercial eight made up of UCD alumni. In the semi-final they had beaten a Commercial eight made up of Trinity alumni.

Blue Star, the alumni club of Newcastle University, won the men’s intermediate eight. UCD were unable to finish after a race which featured a number of clashes and a restart. Blue Star featured British Olympians George Nash and Scott Durant (both gold medallists in 2016) as well as Irish Olympian Cormac Folan.

Trinity Regatta, Islandbridge, Saturday (Selected Results)

Men

Eight – Senior: Trinity bt Commercial 1 1/3 l. Club: Commercial bt Neptune A 1 ¾ l. Novice: UCD A; Trinity disuqual.

Four – Sen, coxed: Commercial B.

Sculling,

Quadruple – Jun 18: Neptune bt Three Castles 4l. Jun 18B, coxed: Blackrock. Jun 16: Graiguenamanagh. Masters, coxed: Commercial.

Single – Sen: Commercial (N Beggan) bt Carlow (L Keating) 1l. Inter: Sligo (G Patterson). Club One: Bann A (Christie). Junior: Carlow (J Keating) bt Neptune (J Butler) easily. Jun 16: Neptune (T Orlic). Masters: Thames (C George).

Women

Eight – Senior: Trinity bt Commercial, 2l. Inter: Trinity B bt Trinity A ¼ l. Club One: Commercial bt Neptune 2l. Nov: UCD A. Jun 18: Bann bt Graiguenamanagh, easily. Jun 16B: Graiguenamanagh. Masters: Tribesmen A.

Four – Inter: Trinity A. Masters, coxed: Belfast BC/Tribesmen.

Sculling,

Quadruple, Club One, coxed: Neptune. Nov, coxed: Trinity r/0. Jun 18B, coxed: Graiguenamanagh bt Neptune 1 ½ l.

Double – Senior: Neptune bt Njord easily.

Single – Inter: Neptune (Feerick). Club One: Neptune (Clarke). Club Two: Neptune (Clarke). Jun 18A: Neptune (Clarke). Jun 16: City Of Derry (E Murphy).

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21st April 2018

Trinity Rowers on Top at Home Regatta

#Rowing: Trinity won the men’s senior eights’ title at Trinity Regatta with a convincing display this morning. Commercial disputed the lead in the early stages of the race, but Trinity moved clear and won by one and one-third lengths. Conditions for the contest were perfect, with bright warm sunshine and calm water.

Trinity’s women’s senior eight won their semi-final against Commercial A.

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15th April 2017

UCD's Senior Eight Impress in Final Flourish

#Rowing: UCD’s senior eight beat Trinity by two and a quarter lengths at Trinity Regatta today. The very strong crew, stroked by David O’Malley, fashioned a lead after the second bend and held off the hosts. This may be the last time this crew rows together competitively as O’Malley, Shane Mulvaney and Shane O’Connell (who did now row at Trinity) will be called up for international duty.

In a cracking junior 18 eight final, Commercial just pipped neighbours and rivals Neptune. Garda’s Damien Kelly and Piers Ryan won the senior doubles race. Commercial, who won the women’s senior eight, also took the women’s junior 18 eight.

Trinity Regatta, Islandbridge (Selected Results)

Men

Eight – Senior: UCD bt Trinity, 2 ¼ l. Club: Trinity bt UCD did not finish. Inter: UCD bt Cork BC row over. Novice: Queen’s bt Trinity easily. Junior: Commercial bt Neptune half canvas. Masters: Neptune bt Commercial ½ l.

Four – Inter, coxed: UCD bt Cork row over. Club, coxed: Neptune bt UCD A disq. Masters, coxed: Neptune bt Graiguenamanagh easily. Junior, coxed: Commercial bt Neptune row over.

Pair – Senior: UCD bt KSRV Nord easily

Sculling,

Quadruple – Nov, coxed: Commercial bt Sligo easily. Jun 18B, coxed: Commercial bt Blackrock easily. Jun 16: Commercial bt Three Castles 2l.

Double – Senior: Garda bt Tralee/Shandon 3/4l

Single – Inter: Sligo (Patterson) bt Commercial (Casey) easily. Club One: Portadown (N Hull) bt Shannon (C Carmody) 2 ½ l. Jun 18: Neptune (J Butler) bt Commercial (K Brown) 4l. Jun 16: Three Castles (Keogh) bt Three Castles (Flynn) easily. Masters: Athlone bt Commercial 3l.

Women

Eight – Senior: Commercial bt Trinity 3 ½ l Club, coxed: Commercial bt Trinity 2l. Nov: Trinity A bt KSRV Njord 2l. Jun 18: Commercial bt Graiguenamanagh easily. Jun 16: Graiguenamanagh bt Athlone easily.

Four – Inter, coxed: Trinity B bt Trinity A 1l. Club, coxed: Commercial B t Commercial A 3l.

Sculling – Quadruple – Novice, coxed: Commercial bt UCD easily.

Double - Senior: Neptune bt KSRV Njord easily.

Single – Inter: Neptune (Feerick) bt Athlone (Curley) easily. Club: Neptune (A Clark) bt Garda (J Ryan) 3l. Nov: Commercial (Ballot) bt Graiguenamanagh (B Hennessy) 3l. Jun 16: Neptune (Clarke) bt Neptune (Daymon) 2l.

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15th April 2017

Commercial Women's Eight Beat Hosts at Trinity Regatta

Commercial stroke Naomi Fearon after today's win in the senior eight at Trinity Regatta.

#Rowing: Commercial beat Trinity in the women’s senior eights at Trinity Regatta today. Commercial were the more powerful crew and once they took the lead the held it to win by three and a half lengths. UCD’s senior men’s pair came out on top, while Jack Butler of Neptune was the top junior single sculler.

Trinity Regatta, Islandbridge (Selected Results)

Men

Eight – Club: Trinity bt UCD did not finish. Inter: UCD bt Cork BC row over. Masters: Neptune bt Commercial ½ l.

Four – Club, coxed: Neptune bt UCD A disq. Masters, coxed: Neptune bt Graiguenamanagh easily. Junior, coxed: Commercial bt Neptune row over.

Pair – Senior: UCD bt KSRV Nord easily

Sculling,

Quadruple – Nov, coxed: Commercial bt Sligo easily. Jun 18B, coxed: Commercial bt Blackrock easily. Jun 16: Commercial bt Three Castles 2l.

Single – Inter: Sligo (Patterson) bt Commercial (Casey) easily. Jun 18: Neptune (J Butler) bt Commercial (K Brown) 4l.

Women

Eight – Senior: Commercial bt Trinity 3 ½ l Club, coxed: Commercial bt Trinity 2l. Nov: Trinity A bt KSRV Njord 2l. Jun 16: Graiguenamanagh bt Athlone easily.

Four – Inter, coxed: Trinity B bt Trinity A 1l. Junior, coxed:

Sculling – Double - Senior: Neptune bt KSRV Njord easily.

Single – Inter: Neptune (Feerick) bt Athlone (Curley) easily. Club: Neptune (A Clark) bt Garda (J Ryan) 3l. Jun 16: Neptune (Clarke) bt Neptune (Daymon) 2l.

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16th April 2016

UCD Best Senior Eight at Trinity Regatta

#Rowing: UCD took away the biggest prize at Trinity Regatta today. They had a clear win over Commercial in the semi-final, by one and a quarter lengths, and beat the hosts’ eight in the final by three and a half lengths. Trinity’s women’s senior eight won their final, beating Dutch visitors KSRV Nord, who had come through the semi-final after UCD were disqualified.

Trinity Regatta, Islandbridge, Saturday (Selected Results)

Men

Eight – Senior: UCD bt Trinity 3½ l. Intermediate: UCD bt Commercial ¾ l. Club: UCD bt Commercial. Novice: Trinity A bt Trinity C 2l. Jun 18: Commercial bt Neptune 2l. Jun 16: Portora bt Commercial.

Four – Senior, coxed: UCD bt Trinity A. Intermediate, coxed: UCD bt Trinity B.

Pair – Senior: UCD bt Trinity A.

Sculling, Quadruple – Novice, coxed: Neptune bt King’s Hospital. Jun 18: Commercial bt Carlow 2½ l. Jun 18, coxed: Three Castles bt Commercial A. Jun 16, coxed: Commercial bt Portora 4l. Jun 15, coxed: Portora bt Blackrock A.

Double – Sen: Sligo bt Carlow 2l. Jun 15: Three Castles bt Bann A.

Single – Senior: Garda (D Kelly) bt Trinity (Van Gent). Inter: Garda (Allen) bt Carlow (Murphy). Club: Carlow (Nolan) bt Sligo (Patterson). Nov: Commercial (Jarvis) row over Queen’s (Foster). Jun 18: Graiguenamanagh (Lennon) bt (O’Brien). Jun 16: Carlow bt Carlow (Mead). Jun 15: Three Castles (Flynn) bt Three Castles (Keogh).

Women

Eight – Senior: Trinity bt KSRV Nord (Holland) easily. Inter: Commercial bt Trinity 5½ l. Club: UCD bt Commercial 2¼ l. Nov: UCD bt Trinity B 3l. Jun 16: Portora bt Carlow 4l. Jun 15: Carlow bt Portora A.

Four – Club, coxed: Trinity A bt Commercial B.

Sculling, Quadruple – Novice, coxed: Commercial B bt Neptune A . Jun 18: Carlow bt Commercial. Jun 18, coxed: Carlow bt Commercial 2½ l. Jun 16, coxed: Bann bt Commercial. Jun 15, coxed: Commercial bt Graiguenamanagh easily.

Double – Jun 15: Commercial bt Galway easily.

Single, Sen: Trinity (G Foley) bt Commercial (J Besse) 4l. Club One: Carlow (A Byrne) bt Commercial (O’Connor) 2l. Jun 18: Neptune (Feerick) bt Bann (Wylie). Jun 16: King’s Hospital (Wedgewood) bt Commercial (K Dolan)

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19th April 2014

Trinity Regatta Hit Hard by NUIG and UCD Withdrawals

#ROWING: The absence of the senior eights of UCD/Old Collegians and Gráinne Mhaol/NUIG – both entered, both did not compete – robbed Trinity Regatta of the anticipated top-level racing in this category today. Conditions were superb, with bright sunshine and calm water, and there were good wins for the Old Collegians senior pair of Peter Grogan and Gearóid Duane and Seán Jacob in the senior single sculls.

Trinity Regatta, Islandbridge, Saturday (Selected Results)

Men

Eight – Club: Commercial bt Neptune easily. Intermediate: UCD A bt Neptune 1¼ l. Novice: Trinity A bt UCD canvas. Junior 16: Reading Bluecoat A bt Portora 4½ l. Junior 15: Reading Bluecoat A bt Reading Bluecoat B easily.

Four – Senior, coxed: Trinity A bt Trinity B canvas. Club, coxed: Garda bt Blackrock ¾ l. Intermediate, coxed: UCD A bt Commercial 3l.

Pair – Senior: Old Collegians (G Duane, P Grogan) bt Commercial ¾ l.

Sculling

Quadruple – Junior 18B, coxed: Athlone bt Portadown 3l. Junior 16, coxed: Commercial bt Neptune A 6l. Junior 15, coxed: Reading Bluecoat bt Three Castles 3l.

Double – Junior 15: Carlow A bt Three Castles ½ l.

Single – Senior: Old Commercial (S Jacob) bt Trinity (Hurley) 2¾ l. Club: Garda (D Kelly) bt UCD (Toland) 1 ¼ l. Intermediate: UCD A (T Hughes) bt Garda (Kelly) 2l. Masters: Carlow bt Commercial easily. Junior 18: Neptune (Mulvaney). Junior 16: Graiguenamanagh (A Lennon) bt Commercial (Baskerville) 2½ l. Junior 15: Three Castles (O Clune).

Women

Eight – Club: Trinity bt Commercial ¾ l. Novice: UCD bt Trinity 3½ l. Junior 18: Commercial bt Portora ¾ l.

Four – Club, coxed: Commercial bt Trinity D 5l.

Sculling,

Quadruple – Junior 16, coxed: Portora A bt Commercial 2½ l

Single – Club: Commercial (A Rodger) bt Commercial (Edwards) 4½ l. Junior 18A: Commercial (E Lambe) bt Carlow (Byrne) 5l. Junior 16: Neptune (Deasy) bt Neptune (Ferrick) ¾ l.

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20th April 2013

Women's Eights Final Sparks Controversy at Trinity Regatta

# ROWING: UCD won 11 of the finals at Trinity regatta at Islandbridge in Dublin today, including the men’s senior eights, fours and single sculls – with Dave Neale in each of the winning crews. The big controversy of the day concerned the women’s senior eights, where a re-row was ordered after a clash early in the race. UCD decided not to compete – prompting anger from some Trinity mentors. Trinity won on a row over.

Trinity Regatta, Islandbridge, Dublin (Selected Results)

Men

Eight – Senior: UCD bt Trinity 5l. Novice: UCD A bt Trinity B 3½ l. Intermediate: UCD A bt UCD B 3l. Junior 18: Neptune bt Portora 2l. Junior 16: Portora A bt Portora B 2l. Masters: Old Collegians bt Shannon 3l.

Four – Senior, coxed: UCD A bt Trinity 3l. Intermediate, coxed: UCD A bt UCD B 1½ l. Novice, coxed: UCD A bt UCD B 1½ l. Junior 18, coxed: Portora bt Athlunkard ½ l.

Pair – Senior: UCD bt Commercial B 1l.

Sculling, Quadruple – Novice, coxed: Neptune A bt Trinity A 1¼ l. Junior 18: Neptune bt Athlone easily. Junior 16, coxed: Killorglin bt Commercial, disqualified.

Double – Intermediate: Carlow bt Garda A easily. Junior 16: Waterford bt Shannon 5l.

Single – Senior: UCD (D Neale) bt Carlow (A Bolger) 3l. Intermediate: Garda A bt Three Castles 3l. Junior 18: Shannon bt Commercial 3½ l. Junior 16: Athlone bt Waterford A 2 ½ l. Masters: Commercial A bt City of Derry 3l. Lightweight: Carlow B bt Trinity 2l.

Women

Eight – Senior: Trinity row over UCD. Intermediate: UCD bt Commercial 1¼ l. Novice: Trinity A bt UCD A disqualified. Junior 18, coxed: Portora bt Commercial, distance. Junior 16: Shannon A bt Portora easily.

Four – Senior, coxed: UCD A bt Trinity 5l. Intermediate coxed: UCD bt Commercial 2½ l. Novice, coxed: Commercial bt UCD A 1l. Junior 18, coxed: Portora A bt Portora B 3l.

Sculling

Quadruple – Novice, coxed: Carlow bt Commercial A easily. Junior 18: Carrick-on-Shannon bt Commercial easily. Junior 16, coxed: Killorglin bt Carrick-on-Shannon 3l. Double – Intermediate: Killorglin row over UCD.

Single – Senior: Trinity (Sinead Dolan) bt Trinity (S O’Brien) 1¼ l. Novice: Fermoy A bt Killorglin easily. Junior 18: Carrick-on-Shannon bt Fermoy 3l. Junior 16: Commercial (Lambe) bt Killorglin 4l. Masters: Carlow bt Neptune easily.

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