DBSC SB20 Class Vice Captain Pat O'Brien Takes the First Thursday Night Gun

27th April 2018

SB20 sailors started their DBSC Summer Season last night with the first Thursday night race on Dublin Bay Credit: Afloat.ie

In the first Thursday night race of the season in Dublin Bay, the SB20 class, vice captain, Pat O'Brien (& Dave Dwyer & Peter Lee) took the first gun of the season. "The first of many" was the aspiring thought of this crew who have, more than most, 'experience' on their side.

It was a benign start with a gentle breeze that took the fleet around the course set by PRO of Olympic fame, Jack Roy. It will be a challenging season ahead with an explosion of numbers in the SB20 fleet this year. Winning guns will be keenly contested.

There is no doubt, that the SB20 European Championships in Dun Laoghaire in August is a draw for lots of sailors and it has attracted some of the top teams in the country.

The boat appears to tick allot of boxes for many with a crew of only 3 - 4 people required and with a the relatively low capital and running cost when compared with other keel boats. The class continues its Lazarus-like resurgence, especially in Dublin Bay.

The first regional championships is eagerly anticipated this weekend at the new Greystones Sailing Club where there will also be representation from other provinces.

Results are here.

Published in SB20

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SB20

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SB20 (formerly Laser SB3) information

Designed by Tony Castro, the SB20 is a British-built strict one-design 6.15m keelboat conceived as a wide appeal, affordable, competitive sportsboat for teams of three or four sailors. It is also, arguably, the most successful sportsboat in the world with 800 owners competing regularly in a programme of exciting local, national and international events.

Originally known as the Laser SB3, the SB20 continues to deliver on its pioneering promise: a boat that is fun, fast and easy to sail by anyone of any age; the best value-for-money sportsboat in the market.

The Laser SB3 was designed by Castro and launched in 2002. In 2007 the Laser SB3 was awarded ISAF Recognised Status and the first World Championships were held in Ireland in 2008. In 2012, Tony Castro appointed a new builder, Sportsboat World. At this time, the Laser SB3 was renamed the SB20 and building was returned to the UK from Malaysia. The ethos of the class continues.

The boat is a strict one-design class, economic to buy and campaign, easy to sail with a simple deck layout and electric downwind performance delivered by the generous sail plan. The boat has a lifting keel, can easily be launched from a slipway and towed behind a family car.

Previous SB20 World Champions

2008 GBR: Geoff Carveth, Roger Gilbert, Roz Allen & Sarah Allan

Host National Yacht Club, Dun laoghaire, Ireland

2009 GBR: Craig Burlton, Stephen White, Adam Heeley

Host Clube Naval de Cascais, Cascais, Portugal

2010 GBR: Jerry Hill, Grant Rollerson, Joe Llewellyn

Host Circolo Vela Torbole, Lake Garda, Italy

2011 GBR: Geoff Carveth, Andy Ramus, Ian Mills & Emma Clarke

Host Royal Torbay Yacht Club, Torquay, UK

2012 GBR: Geoff Carveth, Lesley Dhonau, Roger Hudson & Asenathi Jim

Host Hamilton Island Yacht Club, Queensland, Australia

2013 GRB: Craig Burlton, Stephen White, Adam Heley Host COYCH Club, Hyeres, France