Two of Dublin's leading yacht racing clubs are in talks over a possible merger in order to rationalise a crowded Dublin Bay yacht racing calendar. Dublin Bay Sailing Club (DBSC) and the Royal Alfred Yacht Club (RAYC), whose origins date back to the late 1800s, have agreed to sit down and discuss the best way forward given the current 'very crowded calendar, reduced entries and duplication of effort that is impacting on both the RAYC and DBSC.
The link-up would modify the racing programmes of over 3,000 sailors and solve fixture clashes in the countries most popular race area.
At a Committee meeting of the Royal Alfred Yacht Club held last night it was agreed that the committee should enter into discussions with DBSC with a view to exploring and possibly rationalising the existing situation in Dublin Bay.
A small sub-committee was charged with investigating the options available to address these problems up to and including incorporation of the RAYC within DBSC. RAYC Commodore Barry MacNeaney said 'At all times being mindful of the necessity of preserving the unique heritage and tradition of the Royal Alfred'.
DBSC have indicated that they are open to discussion on this initiative and a meeting is scheduled to be held in early January with a view to having any agreement in place before the 2016 sailing season.
Similar talks have been held before with no real outcome. Thirteen years ago David O'Brien revealed merger talks in the Irish Times here
