DBSC Laser Fleet is the Fastest Growing Fleet on Dublin Bay

1st May 2018

Afloat.ie Team

The growing DBSC Laser fleet racing in Dun Laoghaire Harbour

The busy season for DBSC Laser Fleet kicked off last Tuesday with 2 short sharp races in the Harbour in light conditions. With an entry of over 30 Standard and Radial rigs this year will be action packed with Laser Regional Championships each month, Laser Class starts in the Dun Laoghaire Club regattas and the pinnacle of the Laser sailing year for many with the Laser Master’s World Championships in September in Dun Laoghaire.

A travelling group of 14 DBSC Laser sailors moved North over the weekend to the Ulster Championships in Ballyholme and returned with impressive results. Well done to Shirley Gilmore - 1st Lady Master, Mary Chambers – 2nd Lady Master in her first regional event!, Sean Craig 2nd Master in the Radial Fleet. In Standard Fleet, well done to Ross O’Leary – 2nd Master & 4th Overall, Damien Maloney 6th Overall and Gavan Murphy in 10th Overall in tough and very competitive racing on Belfast Lough.

"A travelling group of 14 DBSC Laser sailors raced at the Ulster Championships in Ballyholme and returned with impressive results"

The DBSC Laser Masters Coaching Programme is open to all levels of Laser sailors, newcomers, returning laser sailors and experienced veterans. 'The programme for May is online now for Standard & Radial Rigs for all club or non-club sailors, ' according to Laser Class Captain Ross O'Leary.

Run from the Royal St George Yacht Club these 3 hour sessions on Friday evenings [6-9] and Sunday mornings [9.30-12.30] are family friendly and lead by experienced Laser Coaches to cater for Laser sailors of all levels and to answer any of your questions.

If you feel you need to gain more confidence or experience or get rid of those bad habits - BOOK ONLINE NOW here

If you want to come and join the racing enter now for Tuesday evening here. It is suitable for all levels of ability with racing in the harbour or in Scotsman's Bay depending on conditions with full rescue boat cover. 'Guaranteed banter with food is available in the RSt George YC bar after racing each Tuesday – all welcome!', according to O'Leary.

Lady Masters ULSTERS Lady Masters Shirley Gilmore (left) and Mary Chambers at Laser Ulster Championships

Published in Laser

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Published in Laser

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About the ILCA/Laser Dinghy

The ILCA, formerly known as the Laser, is the most produced boat in the world, with 220,000 units built since 1971.

It's easy to see why the single-handed dinghy has won the title of the most widely distributed boat of all time.

The Laser is a one-design dinghy, the hulls being identical but three rigs that can be used according to the size and weight of the sailor.

The class is international, with sailors from 120 countries. The boat has also been an Olympic class since 1996, being both the men's and women's singlehanded dinghy.

Three rigs are recognised by the International Laser Class Association (ILCA):

ILCA 4: sail of 4.70m2
ILCA 6: sail of 5.76 m2
ILCA 7: sail of 7.06 m2

ILCA 2026 Calendar

Apr 04–05 — Munster Championships — Baltimore SC
Apr 09–12 — Irish Sailing Youth Nationals — Ballyholme YC
May 09–10 — Ulster Championships — East Antrim BC
May 23–24 — Masters National Championships — Howth YC
Jun 27–28 — Leinster Championships — Skerries SC
Jul 24–26 — National Championships — Royal St. George YC
Sep 11–12 — End of Season Championships — Waterford Hrbr. YC

2026 ILCA World Championships

Men ILCA 7: Aug 23 – Aug 30
Women ILCA 6: Sep 04 – Sep 12
Royal St. George Yacht Club & National Yacht Club (Dublin Bay)

At A Glance – Laser Dinghy Specifications

Designer Bruce Kirby & Ian Bruce

Year 1969

Crew 1
Draft 0.787 m (2 ft 7.0 in)
Hull weight 58.97 kg (130.0 lb)
LOA 4.2 m (13 ft 9 in)
LWL 3.81 m (12 ft 6 in)
Beam 1.39 m (4 ft 7 in)
Mainsail area 7.06 m2 (76.0 sq ft)

Racing D-PN 91.1 RYA PN 1088 PHRF 217