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Displaying items by tag: Afloat boats for sale

An Oyster LD43 powerboat is listed on Afloat boats for saleEver since viable powercuisers first cut their way confidently across the sea, yacht designers and quality boatbuilders have aspired to create a dreamship which has all the attributes of a reliable motoryacht, yet also has that extra something which will appeal to a potential owner who first came to boats through sailing writes W M Nixon. 

The customer they have in mind will not have lost his or her interest in sailing, yet they’ll find that this option is readily available on the sailing boats of friends. But by having a “sailing man’s powerboat”, they are able in return to provide their sailboat-owning friends with an entertaining alternative and occasionally a very welcome support vessel, while for their own use they have a multi-functional yet elegant vessel which can handily nip out for a quick spin on a summer’s evening after a demanding day at the office, while as the same time having the capacity to make worthwhile weekend or longer ventures.

oyster beach2

A good evening forecast? With an Oyster LD43, you and your family can be at the nearest beach within minutes.

In our Irish weather, with today’s forecasting providing unprecedented accuracy, a useful powercruiser such as the Oyster LD43 enables you to make snap decisions to take best advantage of a good weekend forecast without the hassle of having to assemble a full crew, as she can be easily handled by two.

British firm Oyster Yachts are of course best known for their top-end range of sailing cruisers, which have now penetrated the international market to such an extent that Round the World Cruises-in-Company have been organized exclusively for fleets of Oysters. In doing this, and in organizing a plethora of Oyster Regattas as various sun-filled venues, the Oyster people have been able to build up a clear view of the kind of powerboat their customers might like if they were so minded, and the Oyster LD43 is a fascinating project in her own right, as she also had the American market in mind – there’s a whiff of the stylish Long Island Sound private commuter launch about her.

Oyster accom3

The generous provision of stylish pace is a revelation for anyone accustomed to multi-bunk layouts.

For those of us accustomed to packing as much accommodation as possible into a smaller boat, the layout is a revelation. It’s arguable that from a cruising and overnighting point of view, she’s a two-person boat, even if there are two settee berths in the capacious saloon/wheelhouse. And with her twin Yanmar 440 diesel engines allied to computer-controlled Hamilton jet propulsion, it’s evident that the photo of her being used for a family outing to a handy beach is not just a promotional stunt – with jets, you can confidently go into shoal waters. As for badly-marked lobster and crab pot lines which are the bane of cruising under power inshore in Ireland – they cease to be a problem.

All the Oyster LD43s are finished in the same distinctive dark blue, and it suits them to perfection. Crosshaven Boatyard found there was such enthusiasm for the marque in Ireland that having sold one to the Dublin area, they have now added this English-based on to their books. Total style and quality finish like this doesn’t come cheap, but with the pound sterling going through some fluctuations recently, you may find this boat is now priced at something less than the originally-quoted €235,000.

View the Oyster LD43 advert on Afloat boats for sale

Published in Boat Sales

After last weekend’s superb weather, there could be many dinghy sailors who might be thinking that, with new family responsibilities or whatever, it’s time they moved up a to good little all-round cruiser with a more-than-decent performance writes W M Nixon.

Or maybe you’ve taken a sailing course or two, and decided that while dinghies may not be your thing, sailing a boat with a lid most definitely is, and moreover you feel the first tugs of that peculiar series of mixed emotion, the boat-owning vocation.

Either way, the ideal entry boat in the small performance cruiser stakes is for sale on Afloat.ie down Crosshaven way. For a 26-footer, they packed an impressive amount of accommodation and headroom into the Westerly Griffon. But don’t think this makes her a floating caravan. On the contrary, she was designed in 1979 by Ed Dubois when he was very much the rising talent in yacht design, and he gave her everything he knew for good performance, while somehow complying with Westerly Marine’s need for no-nonsense robust construction and oodles of space.

In all, there were 329 built, and the version for sale at €9,950 is the fin keel type. But even with the dreaded twin keel option which Westerly usually insisted on, Dubois was on top of his form, spending hours at the test tank until he got a double configuration which performed startlingly well. So much so, in fact, that he and a crack crew took the first one out to race the 1979 Lymington Autumn Series (one of the biggest in the country back in the day) and won their class overall against some very hot stuff. The fin keel version performs even better, and she’s one of Westerly’s best.

griffon 26 photo
The first Westerly Griffon in 1979. The Ed Dubois design has stood the test of time remarkably well

Read the full Westerly Griffon advert here

Published in Boat Sales

#1720 – You're in good time for the 1720 National Championships or any of this year's 1720 fixtures (see comment below from the class association) if you opt for this fun one design sports boat that the seller, MGM Boats, says is all set for the 2014 season. 

Moored in Cork, this 1997–built boat is a 'really clean' example. The boat comes well equipped with a full sail wardrobe, fully kitted road trailer with masting kit and lockers.

At €12,500, she's yours to sail away!

More on this boat in the one design section of the Afloat Boats for Sale site.

Published in Boat Sales

#NEWBUILD VOYAGE- As previously reported on Afloat.ie Abis Dublin, a brand new multi-purpose heavy-cargoship made her maiden 'Irish' port of call to her namesake port yesterday, writes Jehan Ashmore.

The D-class 6,000 tonne newbuild had docked in Dublin Port having spent the previous night at anchor in Dublin Bay. On board the Dutch built vessel, operated by Abis Shipping, wind-turbine components could be seen at the aft end of the ship, noting her superstructure is located well forward close to the bow.

Abis Dublin was delivered earlier this month from shipbuilder's in Harlingen, where her owners are based and where the vessel is registered. Her first actual commercial sailing took place earlier this month, between Vlissingen to Emden, with an inaugural cargo of windmill components, which were later unloaded on arrival in Rouen. From the River Seine she then departed bound for Dublin, where the vessel is berthed alongside Ocean Pier.

Her sister Abis Dover, the leadship of the new class series made a call with B-class Abis Belfast last month, again to discharge windmill components. The latter vessel made a further call to the capital port just before Christmas, such activity reflecting the expanding Irish renewables energy sector.

Published in Ports & Shipping
New on Afloat Boats for Sale this week is a 1983 Freeman Tobago 33 Flybridge. This is an excellent example of the Freeman 33 Tobago – the Flybridge version of the Freeman 33 sedan. Only around 13 of this model were built and Freeman are renowned for their high standard of construction. For more information, contact details and images click here.
Published in Boat Sales
Tagged under
This week sees the addition of a Dehler DB1, 'Zoom' Well known competitive Class 2 racer. We misprinted the price in our magazine, with this boat being great value at 26,500euro. Full full listing, more details on all the extras and images see the full boats for sale listing here.
Published in Boat Sales
Blue Flag Boats bring to market this 5.5m Humber Ocean Pro with Custom Tubes. 140 HP Suzuki 4 stroke 4 x Jockey seats and a long list of extras, to see them all and images see the full listing here.
Published in Boat Sales
Added to our boats for sale site recently is this Beneteau Antares 600. She has had the same owner for the last 9 years. She has been lightly used and is in good condition. She comes with a 75HP Mercury Outboard, 2 berths and 4 wheel galv. road trailer. For more information including images and video, view the full listing here.
Published in Boat Sales
New this week on our boats for sale site is this 2006 Beneteau First 34.7. She is a Lightly raced version of the First 34.7. Recently serviced, and now back in the water for sale at a bargain price. Great inventory for Offshore Cruising/Racing. To view the full listing and images click the link above.
Published in Boat Sales
11th February 2011

Afloat.ie: 1980 Westerly Fulmar

This week sees a 1980 fin keel Westerly Fulmar added to our site. Full history of ownership, nicely maintained, equipped with Eberspacher heating, and is in good condition for the age. There are 6 berths including 2 "V" berths in the forepeak with an infill to make a double, 2 single settee berths in the saloon either side of the central saloon table, one of these berths converts to a double and there is a large single or small double quarter berth aft of the chart table. For further information on the many extras and images, see the full listing here.
Published in Boat Sales
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Royal Irish Yacht Club - Frequently Asked Questions

The Royal Irish Yacht Club is situated in a central location in Dun Laoghaire Harbour with excellent access and visiting sailors can be sure of a special welcome. The clubhouse is located in the prime middle ground of the harbour in front of the town marina and it is Dun Laoghaire's oldest yacht club. 

What's a brief history of the Royal Irish Yacht Club?

The yacht club was founded in 1831, with the Marquess of Anglesey, who commanded the cavalry at the Battle of Waterloo being its first Commodore. 

John Skipton Mulvany designed the clubhouse, which still retains a number of original architectural features since being opened in 1851.

It was granted an ensign by the Admiralty of a white ensign with the Coat of Arms of the Kingdom of Ireland beneath the Union Jack in canton.

Many prominent names feature among the past members of the Club. The first Duke of Wellington was elected in 1833, followed by other illustrious men including the eccentric Admiral Sir Charles Napier, Sir Dominic Corrigan the distinguished physician, Sir Thomas Lipton, novelist, George A. Birmingham, yachtsman and author, Conor O'Brien, and famous naval historian and author, Patrick O Brian. 

In the club's constitution, it was unique among yacht clubs in that it required yacht owners to provide the club's commodore with information about the coast and any deep-sea fisheries they encountered on all of their voyages.

In 1846, the club was granted permission to use the Royal prefix by Queen Victoria. The club built a new clubhouse in 1851. Despite the Republic of Ireland breaking away from the United Kingdom, the Royal Irish Yacht Club elected to retain its Royal title.

In 1848, a yachting trophy called "Her Majesty's Plate" was established by Queen Victoria to be contested at Kingstown where the Royal Irish Yacht Club is based. The Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland at the time, George Villiers, 4th Earl of Clarendon suggested it should be contested by the Royal Irish Yacht Club and the Royal St. George Yacht Club in an annual regatta, a suggestion that was approved by both clubs with the Royal St. George hosting the first competitive regatta.

The RIYC celebrated its 185th Anniversary in 2016 with the staging of several special events in addition to being well represented afloat, both nationally and internationally. It was the year the club was also awarded Irish Yacht Club of the Year as Afloat's W M Nixon details here.

The building is now a listed structure and retains to this day all its original architectural features combined with state of the art facilities for sailors both ashore and afloat.

What is the Royal Irish Yacht Club's emblem?

The Club's emblem shows a harp with the figure of Nice, the Greek winged goddess of victory, surmounted by a crown. This emblem has remained unchanged since the foundation of the Club; a symbol of continuity and respect for the history and tradition of the Royal Irish Yacht Club.

What is the Royal Irish Yacht Club's ensign?

The RIYC's original white ensign was granted by Royal Warrant in 1831. Though the Royal Irish Yacht Club later changed the ensign to remove the St George's Cross and replace the Union Jack with the tricolour of the Republic of Ireland, the original ensign may still be used by British members of the Royal Irish Yacht Club

Who is the Commodore of the Royal Irish Yacht Club?

The current Commodore is Jerry Dowling, and the Vice-Commodore is Tim Carpenter.

The RIYC Flag Officers are: 

What reciprocal club arrangements does the Royal Irish Yacht Club have?  

As one of Ireland's leading club's, the Royal Irish Yacht Club has significant reciprocal arrangements with yacht clubs across Ireland and the UK, Europe, USA and Canada and the rest of the World. If you are visiting from another Club, please have with a letter of introduction from your Club or introduce yourself to the Club Secretary or to a member of management staff, who will show you the Club's facilities.

What car parking does the Royal Irish Yacht Club have at its Dun Laoghaire clubhouse?

The RIYC has car parking outside of its clubhouse for the use of its members. Paid public car parking is available next door to the club at the marina car park. There is also paid parking on offer within the harbour area at the Coatl Harbour (a 5-minute walk) and at an underground car park adjacent to the Royal St. George Yacht Club (a 3-minute walk). Look for parking signs. Clamping is in operation in the harbour area.

What facilities does the Royal Irish Yacht Clubhouse offer? 

The Royal Irish Yacht Club offers a relaxed, warm and welcoming atmosphere in one of the best situated and appointed clubhouses in these islands. Its prestige in yachting circles is high and its annual regatta remains one of the most attractive events in the sailing calendar. It offers both casual and formal dining with an extensive wine list and full bar facilities. The Club caters for parties, informal events, educational seminars, themed dinners and all occasions. The RIYC has a number of venues within the Club each of which provides a different ambience to match particular needs.

What are the Royal Irish Yacht Club's Boathouse facilities?

The RIYC boathouse team run the launch service to the club's swinging moorings, provide lifting for dry-sailed boats, lift and scrub boats, as well as maintaining the fabric of the deck, pontoon infrastructure, and swinging moorings. They also maintain the club crane, the only such mobile crane of the Dun Laoghaire Yacht Clubs.

What facilities are offered for junior sailing at the Royal Irish Yacht Club?

One of the missions of the Royal Irish Yacht Club is to promote sailing as a passion for life by encouraging children and young adults to learn how to sail through its summer courses and class-specific training throughout the year. 

RIYC has an active junior section. Its summer sailing courses are very popular and the club regularly has over 50 children attending courses in any week. The aim is for those children to develop lifelong friendships through sailing with other children in the club, and across the other clubs in the bay.
 
Many RIYC children go on to compete for the club at regional and national championships and some have gone on to represent Ireland at international competitions and the Olympic Regatta itself.
 
In supporting its young sailors and the wider sailing community, the RIYC regularly hosts junior sailing events including national and regional championships in classes such as the Optmist, Feva and 29er.
 
Competition is not everything though and as the club website states:  "Many of our junior sailors have gone on the become sailing instructors and enjoy teaching both in Ireland and abroad.  Ultimately, we take most pleasure from the number of junior sailors who become adult sailors and enjoy a lifetime of sailing with the club". 

At A Glance – Royal Irish Yacht Regatta 2023 Dates

  • RS Feva East Coast Championships - 6th May to 7th May 2023
  • Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta - 6th-9th July 2023
  • Cape 31 Irish National Championships
  • RIYC Junior Regatta
  • J Cup Ireland 2023 - August 26th/27th 2023
  • Annual Pursuit Race

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