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.
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
Ireland's Sailing and Boating Magazine
