Maybe they should get boat-builder Gerry Smyth – he's based in Kilkeel on the shores of the Kingdom of Mourne in County Down - and Howth YC Rear Commodore Robert Kennedy to combine forces, and take over the Project Management of the new and still unfinished Children's Hospital. For these are definitely The Men Who Get Things Done. On time, and within budget too.
The Letter of Intent regarding the order for a new HYC Support Boat based on Gerry's proven 9.7m catamaran fast fishing boat hull - but much modified on deck for this other purpose - was sent from HYC to Kilkeel in July 2024. And yet this past Saturday, March 22nd 2025, the appropriately-named North Star arrived on station in Howth after demonstrating her seagoing speeds of 15 knots cruising, and 20+ knots full speed.
A time for good cheer. Aboard the new Howth YC Support Boat North Star on arrival in Howth from Kilkeel are (left to right) HYC Rear Commodore Robert Kennedy (project co-ordinator), HYC Hon Sec Bernie Condy, former HYC Commodore and current International Race Officer David Lovegrove, and HYC Commodore Kevin Monks. Photo Karolina Badz
WELL PREPARED
Admittedly they were working on well-prepared ground. It was Dublin Bay Sailing Club which first discerned that the fast working catamarans built by G Smyth Boats of Kilkeel, the "ultra fishport" below the Mourne Mountains just outside the north side of the entrance to Carlingford Lough, would lend themselves well to modification for Committee/Support boats.
Gerry Smyth – seen here in Glasgow to receive an international fishing industry award – has built his business in Kilkeel since 2009
The Kilkeel Birthplace of Support Boats Corinthian and North Star. Photo: Robert Kennedy
As general expectation of the efficient running of races with multiple course options continue to rise, so it becomes increasingly clear that not just any fast motorboat will be able to give adequate service for this role. And this is where today's preferred use of "Support" rather than "Committee" to define the boat's purpose tells us much, as the boat is everything from a floating office to an emergency maritime operations handling hub.
ROOMY AND STABLE PLATFORM
A roomy and stable platform with high bulwarks is needed, yet there also has to be a spacious cabin/wheelhouse for shelter, comfort when it is possible to take it, protection for the race records tabulation, and the facilities of an emergency First Aid station.
The requirement for "a roomy and stable platform" is clearly well met as North Star arrived in Howth Marina. Photo: Karoline Badz
Thus in the boat itself, more than adequate engine power is required to provide those essential bursts of speed when needed, while the business of waiting for the very last boat in some slow race to finish as evening draws on isn't quite so tedious when you know you can speed for home when it's done and dusted. North Star has two Yanmar 4LV250Z engines outputting 228HP apiece, coupled with matched Yanmar outdrives.
As for the personnel input, nowadays being a useful crews member on these vessels must include proper training in providing first aid in addition to other emergency service skills, all of course added to diligent timing and record-keeping experience, and flag and signalling experience.
MANY VOLUNTEERS
Dublin Bay SC with its flotilla of Committee /Support vessels reputedly looks to a "standing navy" of 99 qualified volunteers to keep the fleet at sea. In Howth that number is between 40 and 50 who have to dedicate a substantial amount of their free time to acquiring the skills and then be available to keep the Duty Roster effective.
At lower speeds North Star leaves remarkably little fuss in the water. Photo: Karoline Badz
As to following the approach pioneered by DBSC, it wasn't just a case of avoiding the absurdity of re-inventing the wheel. DBSC's experience in organising races from a start boat goes back to 1884, while their new boat is named Corinthian in honour of the Royal Alfred YC – now incorporated within DBSC – which, on its foundation in 1870, had introduced properly codified racing rules that formed the basis of the rules as used worldwide today, while they also codified the significant concept of amateur or "Corinthian" sailing.
But over the years it hasn't entirely been a one-way exchange between Dun Laoghaire and Howth. Back around 1905, when Dublin Bay SC were trying to select the design of a small seaworthy racing keelboat for members who couldn't afford a Dublin Bay 21, they faffed about for a couple of years before admitting that they couldn't improve on the Howth 17 which had been racing successfully away to the north of Dublin Bay for eight years.
When the Howth 17 designed flourished in Dun Laoghaire, as seen here, between 1907 and 1964, it was known as the Dublin Bay 17, so there's an element of Payback Time in Howth following DBSC in its Support Boat design
The new class took off in Dun Laoghaire in 1907 in such a big way that south of the Baily it was soon known only as the Dublin Bay 17, and it was only when all bats were finally united in Howth in 1972 with the revival of the class at this one port that the proper name for the class became fully accepted.
EFFICIENT NORTHERN BOAT-BUILDERS
As for dealing with an efficient boatbuilder in the North, Howth had been there too. The design for the new Howth 17 by HSC Commodore Herbert Boyd was class-agreed on October 22nd 1897. The order for the first five boats had been placed with boat-builder John Hilditch of Carrickfergus on Belfast Lough at the end of the month. By April 1898, all five boats were on their moorings in Howth, having proven themselves by sailing the 90 miles down from Carrickfergus, ready to make their racing debut just six months after the total concept had been agreed.
North Star provides smooth speed in Howth Sound. Photo: Karoline Badz
Now this north-south boat-creation efficiency has been replicated 128 years later. HYC Rear Commodore Robert Kennedy – who has lifelong experience in advanced engineering – was Project Manager on behalf of the club, and while he dealt initially with Gerry Smyth himself, as the show went swiftly into action an HYC WhatsApp group was established to maintain co-ordination between all involved parties with Ceara Russell in the Smyth Boats office structuring the contacts, while Joel Chambers, a G Smyth company foreman and repository of much practical knowledge, headed the build team.
The build team and the sea crew together in Kilkeel, Joel Chambers is fourth left
G Smyth Boats have built 122 boats – mainly for fishing and many of them customized – since being founded in 2009, and the company now operates from purpose built premises on Kilkeel's busy quayside. Thus the well-earned experience which benefitted Dublin Bay SC in 2024 and now Howth Yacht Club in 2025 is a priceless asset. Corinthian and North Star reflect it, and the word is two other clubs are considering the same route.
Howth's choice of the name North Star is a neat acknowledgement of the new boat's well-handled origins, and also her affectionately- regarded predecessor Star Point. The transfer of equipment from Star Point to North Star is now underway, and North Star will make her debut as the lead support boat when Howth Yacht Club hosts the Irish Match Racing Qualifier on the weekend of April 12th-13th.
Veterans Brigade - the experienced team on Star Point. The transfer and testing of equipment to North Star means that the new boat will make her race debut at the Irish Math Racing Qualifier at Howth on April 12th-13th. Photo: Annraoi Blaney
