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Irish SB20 Sailing Class News & Regatta Results
Flannigan takes control at SB3 Nationals
What a difference a day makes in sailing! On day one of the Investwise SB3 Nationals at HYC, Ben Duncan and his crew on 'Sharkbait' reigned supreme, with two bullets and a sixth to head the 48-boat fleet by four…
Day Two: Flannigan Takes the SB3 Lead
In the second day of racing at the SB3 Ireland National Championships the McCready Gill Racing team of Gareth Flannigan, Brian Spence and Jeremy Thomalison took control of the overall lead. The Ballyholme team scored a 2,1,2 in squally conditions…
Local boat heads 48-boat Investwise SB3 Nationals after day 1
The first day of the Investwise SB3 Nationals at Howth witnessed the top local boat 'Sharkbait' (Ben Duncan/Brian Moran/Ric Morris) enjoy a dream start to the 8-race series with two bullets in the first two races, followed by a 6th…
Going Right Pays Dividends for Boomsticks (SB3 vid HERE)
By all accounts it looked like the right hand side of the course paid best dividends in yesterday's opening three rounds of the SB3 National Championships. Brian Carlin spoke to crews as they came ashore in Howth and below he…
Sharkbait Takes Early Lead at SB3 Nationals
Ben Duncan, Brian Moran and Ric Morris on Sharkbait have eased into an early lead after day 1 of the Investwise SB3 Ireland National Championships in Howth. Sailing on their home waters the Howth Yacht Club team took home 2 bullets and a…
Stars on show at Investwise SB3 Nationals at Howth
A week after hosting the Etchells Worlds, Howth Yacht Club is back in high-powered action again this weekend with another fleet of over 40 boats, this time with the SB3s who gather for the Investwise National Championships over three days.…
SB3 Collision Prompts Rule Discussion
A collision at the SB3 western championships in Galway two weeks ago has prompted a leading Irish sailor to question the international sailing rules because in certain circumstances he says the rules appear to protect boats without right of way…
Investwise SB3 Nationals at Howth
A fleet of up to 50 boats from 10 clubs is a strong possibility for the Investwise SB3 Irish National Championships at Howth YC on September 3rd-5th, with 'McCready Sailboats' (Gareth Flannigan, Ballyhome) and 'Sharkbait' (Ben Duncan of the host…
Fifty Boats Expected for SB3 Nationals
A fleet of up to 50 boats from 10 clubs is a strong possibility for the Investwise SB3 Irish National Championships at Howth YC on September 3rd-5th, with 'McCready Sailboats' (Gareth Flannigan, Ballyhome) and 'Sharkbait' (Ben Duncan of the host…
Galway Bay Event Sets Scene for Nationals decider
With breeze on at nearly every round this year the battle for honours at the front of the SB3 fleet has been compared to a tennis match between McCready Gill Racing and Sharkbait.The opening salvo of the year took place…
SB20 Worlds Hyeres Update - Strong Irish Presence Felt
#sb20 – Race 1 of the SB20 Worlds got off to a flying start Monday in Hyeres for the SB20 fleet World Championshps in the Mediterranean. After 2 general recalls in wind which started at 22 knots, the 90+ boat…
Irish SB20 Sharkbait up to Fifth at Hyeres World Champs
#sb20 – Day 2 of the SB20 Worlds 2013 brought lots more big wind action for the 15 Nation, 90 boat fleet. It was hard sailing again today in the short steep chop with the forecast breeze gradually increasing to…

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