Excitement builds in Howth for the arrival of 12 Melges 15s

As the Irish Summer finally showing signs of appearing, a full container of 12 Melges 15s is enroute to Howth Yacht club set to arrive next week.  With 12 boats that arrived in Ireland last May, this arrival is set to double the Irish fleet to 24 boats as the class continues to grow rapidly. 

With 13 boats set for the season Howth yacht club takes inspiration from Houston yacht club

With one Melges 15 already in Howth, the arrival of another 12 should give a strong fleet of 13 boats ready to sail in Howth’s Thursday dinghy racing.  A diverse range of owners ranging from the Oppie ‘Dad’ to the ‘Cruiser Racer’ are looking forward to taking ownership with many owners returning to Dinghy ownership after a long hiatus.  Family too is a common theme with all combinations of parents, partners and siblings set to sail and race on Howth waters this Summer.  This ownership trend matches that already seen in Dun Laoghaire and around the world now where the class has become the fastest growing dinghy fleet

First M15 HYC owners Fiachra and Cormac Farrelly training this Winter

Howth’s boats will see class numbers top 800 internationally with boat numbers 796 to 807 set to make their new home in the waters off Ireland’s eye.  In a club initiative one boat (805) will be owned by Howth Yacht club itself providing members more chances to get afloat. Club fleets have been popping up in the US over the last year with Houston yacht club perhaps showing our own HYC the way forward with their own club owned fleet of boats.

The demo boat working hard off ‘Ireland’s eye’ in Howth last Winter

The Irish nationals set for Howth on August 24th 25th should be a competitive fair with expected international entries to push the fleet past 24 boats.