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Displaying items by tag: Irish Sea Tall Ships Regatta

#TALLSHIPS – As previously reported on Afloat.ie, the first Irish Sea Tall Ships Regatta, which was postponed on Sunday due to adverse weather, set off yesterday afternoon from Dun Laoghaire Harbour, writes Jehan Ashmore.

The majority of the 11-strong fleet did not return to Dublin Port after the Parade of Sail, but instead took shelter in Dun Laoghaire Harbour. This gave curious onlookers in the harbour an opportunity to see the vessels up close and personal, as they berthed alongside Carlisle Pier. The inaugural race consists only of a single leg and that is to Liverpool.

Among the fleet were the Dutch gaff schooner De Gallant, and three UK vessels, the ketch Maybe, the barquentine Pelican of London and another gaff schooner Johanna Lucretia. Several years ago the 96ft vessel built in 1945, had replaced the original vessel used in the RTE reality show 'Cabin Fever' after the Camaret of Cornwall, ran aground off Tory Island, Co. Donegal.

Published in Tall Ships

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