Menu

Ireland's sailing, boating & maritime magazine

Displaying items by tag: Spring Afloat

#afloatmag – Afloat's packed 64–page 2014 Spring issue hits the news stands next week (Monday, 24 March) with all the latest Irish sailing news and views.

In our latest news section, there's been a top prize for David Kenefick, and Kinsale Yacht Club too. Pilot boats are tested in the roughest seas off Cork harbour. We ask if sailing needs to chart a new course outside of the Olympics?

Also in news: Rio waters a sewer, 
boat reg rules imminent, Marine finance 
returns, Naomh Éanna's refuge, Kinsale 
 honours Mellett, Transat for Ireland?

There's a big 
summer in prospect for Greystones marina plus 50 more Irish 
boating stories! 

In features Dun Laoghaire's waterfront area and 
harbour is a hotbed of development and 
proposed projects but WM Nixon asks if the east coast port has lost the plot? W M Nixon confirms Irish hearts are still in wooden boats and with the recent lift in the economy is this the right time to bag a boating bargain? 

Our cover story tells how a young Irish rookie sailor lifted Afloat's
 top prize. Solo sailor David Kenefick's 
 fabulous debut season is reviewed.

safehavenspread

Rough times – Pilot boats storm tested Safehaven boats face the 
 biggest winter waves off Cork Harbour

kinsaleclubofyearspread

Club of the Year –  Kinsale Yacht Club is the Mitsubishi Motors 
 "Sailing Club of the Year" for 2014 in 
 celebration of an outstanding year in 2013

cruising

Keep on Cruisin' – John Leahy of the Cruising Association gives 
 an overview of 2014's activities

macsweeney

Stopping the decline – Tom MacSweeney speaks with cruiser
 racing's Denis Kiely on what can be done to 
 support sailing

inlandspread

Inland – Politicians ignore the real issues on the 
 waterways, says Brian Goggin

Plus all our regular departments full of Irish sailing and boating news

The Irish heart is still in 
 wooden boats

W M Nixon takes a look at some current 
 Irish wooden boat-building projects.

Owning your dreamboat

W M Nixon suggests that now may be the 
 best time to buy.

Classifieds
A selection of Afloat.ie's classified adverts

Dubarry Nautical Crossword
A nautical crossword with a great 
 boating prize

Soundings
Sean Walsh of Dun Laoghaire is the new 
 President of the Old Gaffers' Association

Published in News Update

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