A Squib sailor is rarely left standing on the shore, unable to sail. It is typically sailed by two people with both the helm and crew actively sharing the sailing of a main, jib and spinnaker sail. John Leech writes about the joys of sailing a Squib keelboat on Lough Derg
- The Squib fleet on Lough Derg fosters a vibrant sailing community
- LDYC's crane installation enhances regatta facilities and dry sailing
- Upcoming National Squib Championships on Lough Derg welcome sailors of all levels
Today, the Squib is the largest single one-design keelboat fleet on Lough Derg, sailed across three clubs: Lough Derg Yacht Club, Inis Cealtra (Mountshannon) and Garykennedy.
Local and visiting Squibs on a Lough Derg start line
The Squib is the perfect boat for LDYC because of its versatility and suitability for the waters of Lough Derg. It sails like a dinghy (6m long), and Squib racing is famously competitive, close, and exciting. It can be sailed in strong winds and is safe to sail without capsizing. The Squib's fin keel makes it ideal for day cruising from village to village on the lake.
The origins of this fleet on the lake are the brainchild of three seasoned sailors in LDYC, Reggie Goodbody, David Meredith, and David McFarlane, who had the vision to purchase six second-hand squibs in 2012. The first two came from Dartmouth for the Keelboat Regatta, and the remaining ones came from the North and other places. Thanks to their enthusiasm and ongoing support, the club today has 30 squibs. Inis Cealtra has 9 Squibs.
The diversity of the fleet ranges from young and old (14 to 85 year olds), with a good mixture of male and female owners, beginners taking up sailing at 60, and hotshot sailors hopping into the boat for club regattas. Our younger sailors, Oscar George and Ella O Callaghan, aged 16, won the Silver Fleet at the UK and Irish Nationals in Kinsale in 2023.
The majority of boats within the fleet are Hunter built boats numbered from 158 to 724, with purchase prices ranging from €500 to €7,000 . We encourage the purchase of boats within this range of numbers and value. Boats should comply with the NSOA class rules.
The Squib is unique. The fastest and oldest boat in the fleet from the UK, sail no 10 (the 10th boat built), wins major events sailing against the newest boat in the fleet.
This year, LDYC wants to encourage more female Squib sailors on the water through the Irish Sailing scheme Women on the Water Progamme (WOW). This programme will take place on Sundays commencing in May and is open to all sailing abilities.
The injection of the Squib fleet on the lake has never been so active encompassing a community on the lake, three clubs sail together.
The social side of it lends to its success. The three clubs participate in and support each other's sailing and training events, from club racing on Friday nights in LDYC to cruiser racing in Garykennedy on Saturdays and a choice on Sundays of racing in Inis Cealtra or cruising on the lake from LDYC.
Inis Cealtra has a unique race on the longest day of the year, the Summer Solstice. All Sailors look forward to the LDYC Club Annual Regatta in August and the Keelboat regatta in October.
In 2023, LDYC installed a crane, which has been a great asset to the club. It facilitated several keelboat regattas (1720, Dragons, and Firefly) in 2024 and now facilitates dry boat sailing in the club.
This year, LDYC wants to encourage more female sailors on the water through the Irish Sailing scheme Women on the Water Progamme (WOW). This programme will take place on Sundays commencing in May and is open to all sailing abilities.
LDYC will be hosting the 2025 National Squib Championships in June
From the 6th to 8th June LDYC will be hosting the National Squib Championships. We want to see as many Squib sailors of all abilities sailing Parker and Hunter boats. Prizes for both designs. All sailors and friends are very welcome to partake and enjoy Lough Derg.
Dromineer is a very convenient location with plenty of space to store your trailers. There is Live Jazz music on Friday evening and more music on Saturday night.
