"Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore." – André Gide
The Cruising Group reconvened on September 1st following a wonderful summer sailing season. Many of our members returned from adventures at home and around the world. Some will share their experiences at the October 6th monthly meet-up, offering great content, tips, and advice for exploring foreign seas. All HYC members are welcome!
Howth Yacht Club's active Cruising Group were thrilled to welcome Grainne Costigan from Sutton, who shared her preparations for the 2025 solo Atlantic race. The event drew a large audience, requiring additional seating. Grainne discussed the challenges of preparing for and navigating the Mini Transat route aboard her 6.5-metre boat, Sea Fever, in the east-west Transatlantic Race.
Seventy solo sailors will participate in this non-stop two-leg race across the Atlantic. The race begins on the weekend of the Autumn Equinox in Les Sables d'Olonne, France, and extends over 30+ days. The first leg, France to the Canaries, is shorter but more challenging with stronger winds, while the second leg, Canaries to Guadeloupe, is longer with prevailing trade winds. A key feature of the race is the ban on communication with shore and external assistance, highlighting the skill and resilience of the solo sailor. Grainne, the first Irish woman to participate in the event, offered insights into her boat’s preparation, including food, water, equipment, sail sets, and more. She described the extreme physical and mental stresses, noting that competitors often managed only twenty minutes of sleep between watches, with hallucinations being not uncommon.
Follow Grainne on www.gcostigan.com, Instagram @miniSeaFever, and www.minitransat.fr.
Many HYC boats also participated in the highly anticipated 3 Liffey Bridges event this month. Hosted annually by Cruising Association Ireland, the event was attended by the Dublin Lord Mayor and concluded with a muster and dinner at the Gibson Hotel. Despite the weather, the day was a great success, with music and festivities continuing into the early hours.
In addition, some HYC members had the opportunity to visit the Peruvian Navy Training Vessel, BAP Union, moored at Dublin Port. The four-mast ship, bound for Panama via Europe, impressed everyone with its immaculate condition and welcoming crew.
We also remember with sadness our fellow sailor, Pat Murphy, who passed away this year. Pat was a cherished member of our community, an avid dinghy racer, a world voyager, and a mentor encouraging sailors of all ages. May he rest in peace.
Save the Dates!
Our Autumn/Winter meetings are packed with exciting events. All HYC members are welcome:
October 6th – HYC Cruising Group: Sailing Tales and Tribulations
November 3rd – Michael Harpur: eOceanic
December 1st – End of Year Wrap
December 6th – Annual Awards Dinner
January 6th – John Leahy: CAI Talk
