Deilginis - From Portrush to Ballydehob via Howth

Looking only gorgeous - Deilginis with her new deck back in Howth on Thursday December 13th Photo: W M Nixon

It's a long way from exquisite teak-laid decks that the ancient Howth 17s were reared. But when a class has been going for 114 years, a little teak treat and some intensive TLC is well earned. Not that the original timber used was suspect. Although basic stuff, it was of good quality. But in those days in the 1890s it was expected that one design classes would be replaced by newer designs at regular intervals, and some boat types reputedly had it written into their rules that their one design class association would be automatically wound up at the end of seven years.

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Howth Seventeen Championship 2012   Saturday 11th August

(L-R) Commodore Roger Cagney presents the Howth Seventeen Scratch Cup to John Curley, Jim Potter & Paul McElligott from "Rita"

Following the abandonment of their first race on Friday evening, the Howth Seventeens enjoyed a full day of racing on Saturday when Scorie Walls and her race management team provided them with 5 windward-leeward races to conclude their 2012 National Championships. John Curley and Marcus Lynch's 'Rita' proved that the age (of their boat) is no disadvantage and drove the 114 year old and intensively campaigned Seventeen to overall victory following 3 wins in the five races.

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Results - Scratch >>              Results - H'cap >>

Howth Seventeens host the 'Gaerloch Trophy' team racing event

The Seventeen class and Gaerlochs initiate pre-start engagement in front of the East Pier

The Howth Seventeens and their vice captain Ian Malcolm played host to the traditional annual team racing event against members of Scotland's famous Gaerloch Class on the June Bank Holiday weekend. Nine members of the 88 year old design from the Clyde travelled and were hosted by various 'Seventeeners' for the 2-day series of races in 6 of Howth's finest classic racing keelboats. Richard Kissane and his team provided the teams with 4 challenging races from the East Pier on Saturday, not least for the fact that the 8-12 knot north-easterly was combined with steep-waved sea conditions. Both morning races were won by John Curley and his Howth team on 'Anita'. The afternoon's races were again dominated by the home side although Gaerloch skipper Gordon Mucklow found 'Anita's' turn of speed in the final race to finish second behind 'Rita', avoiding a 3rd clean sweep by the Howth team. Foul weather on Sunday sealed the victory for the 'Seventeeners' and allowed the visitors to hop on the DART and visit the National Yacht Club and the Maritime Museum on Dublin's southside.

The David Spy Gaerloch Trophy - for Gaerlochs vs Howth 17s team racing, first raced in 1985

The Gaerloch Trophy was presented to HYC Rear Commodore Brian Turvey by Gordon Mucklow, to be 'minded' until the next year's challenge in Scotland. The Seventeens would like to thank the Gaerloch team for coming to Howth Yacht Club as well as thanking all those who helped host the event.

Wilkinson family make presentation to Howth Seventeen Class   Sunday 18th March 2012

(L-R) Commodore Roger Cagney, Shane Wilkinson, Rear Commodore Brian Turvey, Jamie Wilkinson, Peter Courtney Shane Wilkinson holding the trophy presented in 1972 for the 75th Anniversary of the Howth 17s. (1897 - 1972). It was won by Norman Wilkinson. Jamie Wilkinson holding the painting of the Howth 17, Aura, by Alice Boyd, wife of Herbert Boyd who designed the Howth 17 in 1897. Peter Courtney holding the picture of Shelagh Wilkinson who died in January 2012.

1980's (Flying Dutchman) Olympic Silver Medallist Jamie Wilkinson along with his brother Shane took time on Sunday to make a presentation to representatives from the Howth Seventeen Class. They presented a painting from their family home of the Seventeen 'Aura' by Alice Boyd. Alice was the spouse of W. Herbert Boyd who designed the famous racing keelboat in 1897 and was Commodore of Howth Sailing Club for 52 years! Jamie and Shane's father, Norman was one of the most prolific Seventeen sailors and owned 'Leila' for 51 years until 1998. (details of 'Leila') Shelagh, his spouse and long standing member of HYC and who passed away a month ago, named and launched the newest Seventeen in May 2009 (named 'Sheila' in her honour). (Launching of Sheila). It is believed that the painting was spotted by Norman Wilkinson many years ago in a gallery in Merrion Square, where he bought it for 'three guineas' with a view to eventually giving it to the class. Also donated to the class was the trophy that Norman collected when he won the special 'Howth Seventeens 75th Anniversary Race' in 1972 at the helm of his 1898 launched and recently restored 'Leila'. The trophy can be viewed in the cabinet beside the HYC bar and the painting is now hung in the club dining room.

Contacts Email: [email protected] Class President: Mark Lynch Class Captain: Eoghan Ryan (2012)

Address 17 Footers Association, Howth Yacht Club, Harbour Road, Howth, Co Dublin, Ireland