2018 - Eboat Class National Championship Report

Published 18:00 on 13 Aug 2018

The weekend of 28-29^th July, the beautiful seaside town of Skerries were the coordinates for eager eboats looking for a race track. Skerries Sailing Club was the venue and the Class National Championship the prize. SSC were great hosts (kindly running the championship as part of their Annual Regatta), and were very welcoming to all visitors – sailors and shore crews and supporters. Provision of moorings and ferry services to visitors were much appreciated and it was a delight to sail in such a stunning location.

This year's Nationals drew 6 boats from the fleets of Clontarf and Skerries. Numbers were low - 4 CYBC boats did not make the passage up the coast. Those who did travel experienced splendid cruises to and from Skerries.

Sailing did not start till Sunday this year. Conditions on Saturday morning were cold, blustery and wet, with gusts over 30knots. Crews protected within the cosy walls of SSC, awaited word from the race officer anchored on a lumpy course-area: post-ponement till mid-day was the word. Racing was then cancelled shortly after, much to the disappoint amongst several in the fleets as weather moderated later as forecasted.

Sunday saw favourable conditions and SSC did a fine job of running the regatta and Championship, getting in 4 races. Olympic Courses were set. Race1, winds were strong, with most boats setting No.2 Genoas and some with a reef in the Main. OctopussE took the 1^st mark with Enchantress in close pursuit. Waves and strong pressure were a test for spinniker work. OctopussE's battle-hardened and seasoned crew, showed 'how it's done' and powered through the gybe down to the leeward mark. Enchantress's gutsy but less experienced crew, broached; nevertheless recovered to place 2^nd. WyliE CoyotE not far behind Enchantress also experienced a similar fate at the gybe mark.

OctopussE placed 1^st in the Race2, with WyliE (helmed by the feisty young Dairmuid Brodie) and Easy-go (Paul Hick, Skerries' seasoned campaigner) showing great form and placing 2^nd and 3^rd respectively.

Race3, OctopussE consolidated their lead with another commanding first, but competition for 2^nd and 3^rd was a 3-way tie. Positions for 2^nd 3^rd and 4^th regularly changing throughout (with Eaglet and E-type also contending) as boat-handling proved crucial. Only at the finish line by 1/2 a boat-length did Enchantress pop ahead of Easy-go. The last race, Enchantress powered off the start line at the pin end ahead of OctopussE and maintained the lead to the 1^st mark, but tired hands after a bumpy day on the sea led to less slick hoist and OctopussE passed to press onwards for another win. The final leeward mark Enchantress' skills were tested again and a disorderly spinnaker drop and resulting loss of boat-speed (in moderating conditions), gave the opportunity for chasing boats press on to place good scores.

Pat O Neill veteran of the class, and top-scoring Irish skipper at the J80 Worlds 2018 in France (placing 10^th overall & 1^st in one race) deservedly and decisively won the 2018 Eboat National Championship. Equal points were scored for 2^nd and 3^rd , with 4^th placed boat only a point behind.

This year's championship was a great demonstration of eboats as lively and competitive racing yachts capable of being raced in a variety of conditions. Boat-handling skills were the keys to success and racing was exciting and satisfying. The eboat class continues to live up to its reputation as light-displacement competitive IOR rated mini-toner.

To enquire about the closest one-design yacht racing in Dublin and how to engage in the Eboat class please contact CYBC (info@cybc.ie) or SSC (info@skerriessailingclub.com). Opportunities exist particularly for experienced sailors and helms, as well as those starting in sailing and looking for lively and exciting sport. This year the fleet regularly turn out 5 to 6 Eboats for club-racing, and both Skerries SC and Clontarf YBC are open to membership to all interested in sailing and racing.

(Class Chairperson (Bernie Grogan), presenting prizes to OctopussE)

2018 Championship Results

Last updated 17:31 on 9 February 2021