Ruffian 23 Sailing News
The Irish Ruffian team retained the Ruffian Interport Challenge after defeating their Hong Kong counterparts in the eighth edition of the biennial contest, held in Dublin Bay and Clew Bay from 3 to 6 July. A 27-strong Hong Kong contingent…
A Hong Kong team will return to Ireland this weekend for the eighth Ruffian Interport Challenge, renewing a rivalry that was last contested during the class's Golden Jubilee celebrations in Hong Kong in 2023. Twenty-two sailors and five supporters will…
Stephen Penney successfully defended his Ruffian 23 National Championship title at Carrickfergus Sailing Club after four challenging races in widely contrasting conditions. A fleet of 16 boats contested the championship on June 26-27. Competitors included visitors from Mayo, Wicklow and…
The Ruffian 23 class has been formally recognised as a classic vessel by the National Maritime Museum Cornwall. The Portaferry-built yacht has been accepted onto the UK’s National Small Boat Register. The move follows an application demonstrating the class meets…
Owners of Ruffian 23 yachts in Carrickfergus are awaiting a decision on whether their boats will be granted classic status. As Afloat previously reported, the move follows discussions with marina management aimed at easing rising mooring costs for the locally…
Carrickfergus Ruffian 23 fleet captain Billy Spence will meet Carrick Marina management next Tuesday (January 13th) He is seeking a reduction in mooring fees for Ruffian 23 yachts. Spence says Ruffian 23s should be treated as classic boats. He said…
“I feel sure he's charming potential customers in the River Styx boatyard as we speak!” Tributes are being paid to yacht builder Nick Stratton, following his death at the age of 83. Nick’s interest in sailing was sparked during his…
While the Ruffian 23 Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta turnout was a comparatively small one compared to recent Clew Bay exploits, it was still a competitive one with June's WIORA winner, Bandit (Brian Cullen and Ann Kirwan) of the National Yacht…
'Hot Orange' of Carrickfergus Takes Ruffian Nationals Title at WIORA on Clew Bay
21st June 2025 Ruffian 23
The WIORA championships concluded with the final two races on Saturday, June 21. On Friday evening, Race Officer (RO) Scorie Walls decided that due to Sunday’s forecast, she would try to run four races on Saturday, June 21, and cancel…
It was a glorious day on Clew Bay for day three of WIORA and day one 1 of the Ruffian 23 National Championships on Friday (June 20). Race Officer Scorie Walls set a windward leeward course with 4 rounds for…
Local sailor Joan Mulloy now leads a 17-boat Ruffian 23 fleet after a WIORA coastal race victory on Golden Girl, but the Mayo crew are on the same nine points as clubmate David Quinn's Lone Star. Third is the day…
Low Loaders Transport Dublin Ruffian 23s West for WIORA and National Championships
17th June 2025 Ruffian 23
The Ruffian 23s are heading to Westport, County Mayo, this week, for WIORA 2025 and the Ruffian National Championships. As Afloat previously reported, Mayo Sailing Club, celebrating its golden anniversary, has pulled out all the stops to help transport visiting Ruffian…
Mayo Sailing Club will host the Ruffian 23 National Championship, which is being held in conjunction with the West of Ireland Offshore Racing Association (WIORA). The WIORA event will run for four days from Wednesday, June 18th, to Saturday, June…
Howth Yacht Club welcomed five boats from the Ruffian 23 class, who travelled from Dun Laoghaire and Skerries to take part in the annual Lambay Races on Saturday, May 31st. Robbie Keys' Siamsa from Skerries SC was the first boat…
The weekend of 24th – 25th May saw the Inaugural Ruffian 23 Ulster Championships hosted by Carrickfergus Sailing Club on Belfast Lough. Saturday morning started an overcast day with the wind 15 kts gusting into the late teens/early twenties. The…
Up to six Ruffian 23s will be transported from Dun Laoghaire Harbour on Dublin Bay to County Mayo for the 2025 WIORA Regatta, including the Ruffian 23 National Championships, in Westport. The initiative has come about to support the country's…
