Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the club based?
The club is based in Dun Laoghaire Harbour in the area know as the Coal Harbour. In this boat yard the club stores its boats and has a container for storing equipment. This map may help you find us.
The Coal Harbour is between Monkstown and Dun Loaghaire Dart stations about 5 minutes walk from either.
Our Sigma yacht is berthed on the marina nearby.
What type of sailing is offered?
Sailing sessions are organised for dinghies and for yacht(keelboat) sailing.
Up to 12 people take part in dinghy sailing sessions, run by an appointed Captain and Vice Captain. Members take turns to crew the safety boat for each session. Sailing takes place both in and outside the harbour depending on weather conditions.
Up to seven people can attend a keelboat sailing session which is led by a Captain. Ruffian sailing normally takes place in Dublin Bay from Howth to Dalkey and longer trips can take place at weekends.
Do I need to have previous sailing experience?
...for keelboat Sailing
For keelboat sailing no experience is required. If you are a beginner or improver, you will have the opportunity to sail with more experienced sailors and thereby improve your sailing skills.
...for Dinghy Sailing
For dinghy sailing you need to have done at least a beginner's dinghy sailing course, or have similar experience. If you are unsure or have not sailed in a while please contact us. We always arrange for less experienced crew to have an experienced partner.
What boats does the club have?
The club has three Vago dinghies, two Magnos, one Topaz Tres, one 33ft Sigma yacht, one 23ft Ruffian yacht, a safety boat and a small launch for going to and from the Ruffian mooring.
What type of boat is a Magno?
A Magno is a two person plastic hulled boat with an assymetric genneker and trapeeze. It's comfortable, simple to rig and sail while still offering high performance.
What type of boat is a Vago?
A Vago is a two person plastic hulled boat with an assymetric genneker and trapeeze, similar to the Magno.
What type of boat is a Topaz Trez?
A Topaz Trez is a two person plastic hulled boat with an assymetric genneker and trapeeze, similar to the Magno but smaller.
What type of boat is a Ruffian?
The SID Ruffian "Ruff Diamond" Sail number 155 is a five person keelboat yacht with an overall length of 23
feet. The Ruffian Racing class is one of the largest keelboat classes in Ireland with more then twenty regularly racing
at the national championships. "Ruffin' it" can provide a more leisurely sail with longer trips in the Irish Sea
from Malahide to Wicklow or can compete in regattas or Dublin Bay races.
What type of boat is a Sigma?
The SID Sigma 33 "Obsession" is a seven person keelboat yacht with an overall length of 33
feet. The Sigma 33 class is one of the largest keelboat classes in Dublin Bay. "Obsession" is regularly used for weeknight practice and for weekend live aboard cruises on the Irish Sea and beyond.
What is the difference between Keelboat and Dinghy sailing?
The Sigma and Ruffian are large keelboats with up to seven crew. You can wear your normal clothes with the addition of some rain gear. Keelboats have a greater range and can sail to Wicklow or Malahide. You don't need any experience to take part in keelboat sailing.
Dinghy sailing takes place in small two-person boats. Your dinghy may capsize, so you need to wear a wetsuit and a buoyancy aid. You don't need to be a world champion swimmer as long as you are comfortable being in the water. Dinghy sailing takes place within the harbour, and in the immediate surrounding area. You would need some previous experience to take part in dinghy sailing.
Do I need a regular sailing partner to sail on Dinghies?
No, for each dinghy session people are paired up based on experience. People also swap around to crew the safety boat, so you will probably find yourself sailing with a couple of different crew. It's a great way to meet your fellow sailors.
I'm interested in dinghy sailing but havn't sailed before?
You would first need to do ISA Basic Skills Dinghy course beginners course.
If you are interested in trying out the club before joining, you are welcome to join us for a session or two. We charge a 40 euro single session membership fee, which is refundable against your annual membership if you join. You just need to let us know in advance when you would like to sail. Please contact us for details of sessions.
How often can I sail?
Dinghy sailing sessions take place 3 weeknights May to September and on weekends all year round. Keelboat sessions take place four weeknights and Sundays from April to October. Members can sail in as many sessions as they wish subject to availability. (Additional session will be added if there is a demand).
Can I sail on both Keelboats and on Dinghies?
Yes, you can sail as often as you wish. We encourage all members to take part in both Keelboat and Dinghy sailing. For those who have no dinghy sailing experience, we organize taster sessions from time to time with wetsuits and instruction provided.
What type of clothes/equipment do I need?
For dinghy sailing the following is required:
- a wet suit (3mm arms and legs with 5mm body minimum recommended);
- booties or old runners;
- cagoule or windcheater;
- sailing gloves.
- We do have some wetsuits available for guest use, but not for members.
For Keelboat sailing:
- warm clothes (no matter how warm it seems on land!);
- waterproof jacket and waterproof trousers (even if it's not raining you may get wet from sea spray);
- wellies or sailing boots or old runners.
Lifejackets, safety lines, sailing harnesses are provided.
If you have any questions please contact us.
What on shore facilities are provided?
The SID clubhouse (photo) provides basic changing facilities and equipment storage. We do not have any toilets or showers. The unofficial clubhouse for apres sail is the "Purty Kitchen".
When sailing on the Sigma you can use the marina facilities (changing rooms, toilets, showers etc)
Is safety cover provided?
Safety boat cover is provided for SID organised dinghy sessions. For events and races such as regattas the safety cover is provided by the organisers of the event.
Can I take a boat out on my own?
No, all sailing is organized in sessions with assigned captains and safety cover. We will organize extra sessions subject to demand.
How are dinghy sailing sessions organised?
Sessions are run by a Captain and a Vice Captain. Depending on the weather and how experienced the participants are, the Captain decides who sails with whom and where the sailing area is to be. The safety boat is also present and is crewed by members on a rotation basis.
Is sailing an expensive sport?
No. For Keelboat sailing, no specialist equipment or clothing is needed. You just need to pay your annual membership fee and you can sail as often as you wish.
For overnight trips on the Sigma there is a small extra charge for use of the boat.
For dinghy sailing you would also need to buy a wetsuit (typical prices from e100).
What is the membership fee?
- Full details on the cost of membership and how to apply can be found on the membership page. The membership fee is for the period January to December.
- No further session fees apply but members are responsible for race fees for entry to races and regattas etc.
- There is a cruising fee of roughly e20 per person per night payable if the Sigma is taken on a cruise. This does not apply to day sailing from Dun Laoghaire.
- Membership of the Irish Sailing Association membership is included.
What opportunity is there to race?
SID boats are entered in DMYC Frostbites (Sundays October to March) and in the
Dublin Bay Sailing Club
races which are held on Tuesdays and Saturdays from April to August. Entry fee is shared among those taking part and a rota organized.
There are also a number of regattas run by other Dun Laoghaire clubs during the summer months.
Does SID provide training?
SID does not provide formal training to members, but we do encourage all members to take appropriate ISA courses. Some informal sessions are organized by members from time to time on a voluntary basis. We sometimes organize group training externally with an ISA approvedi provider or a Powerboat training provider. SID is not a substitute for taking a course, but it is a great environment in which to practice the skills you have acquired through training.
Can my kids sail with SID?
No, SID club caters to adults only. If you wish to introduce you children to sailing we would recommend ISA Junior courses or contact the Irish National Sailing School or Irish Youth Sailing Club or Sea Scouts in Dun Laoghaire.
If you have any other questions or queries please don't hesitate to contact us.
