Our Boats
Access 303 –‘Free Spirit’, ‘Free Will’, ‘Freedom’, ‘Freemew’, ‘Pinky’, ‘Purply’
Belfast Lough Sailability has 6 of these great little two person sail boats. They are a good introductory sail boat, irrespective of disability and were specifically developed with disabled sailors in mind. They are easily manoeuvred and virtually uncapsizable. Servo assisted mainsheet and helm can be fitted allowing sailors with limited mobility to have the opportunity to be able to sail single handed. They are ideal where one to one tuition is required and also a great favourite with younger sailors who can achieve a level of freedom and independence not normally possible on land. They are perfectly balanced when sailed single-handed or by two full sized adults and are a very relaxing and comfortable boat to sail.
Skud 18 - 'Will Power'
Belfast Lough Sailability has one Paralympic class Skud-18 which is at the sharp end of sailing performance - being fast and fun to sail. It was acquired by the fund raising efforts of Tiffany Brien, who sailed single handed across the Irish Sea from Scotland to Carrickfergus to raise the £18k to buy this high performance boat. It requires a level of experience, skill and bravery and is a steep learning curve to sail in comparison to the Access 303. The Skud-18 provides the opportunity for sailors with disabilities to compete on equal terms with able-bodied sailors and is an exciting challenge for able-bodied and disabled sailors alike.
Safety Boat – ‘Morna Hughes’
The ‘Morna Hughes’ is a Bombard Explorer RIB and is primarily used as a safety boat providing on the water support to our sailors and kayakers alike. The safety boat is crewed by two experienced volunteers at all times whilst activities are taking place out on the water.
Safety Boat – ‘Fergus’
‘Fergus’ was an ex-RNLI Lifeboat donated by Carrickfergus Borough Council and is primarily used as a safety boat providing on the water support to our sailors and kayakers alike. The safety boat is crewed by two experienced volunteers at all times whilst activities are taking place out on the water.
Open Working Boat – ‘Rosy’
Proudly named 'Rosy' after a very dedicated lady who put many hours of hard work and support into Belfast Lough Sailability as Hon. Secretary. This boat is one of the latest additions to the Belfast Lough Sailability fleet and was funded by Sports Matters. She is an open working boat that has been adapted for accessibility. Carrying up to 10 people including people in wheelchairs, she has wheelchair anchoring points and also a socket to which the Oxford Dipper hoist can be fitted.
-ourboats.png)
.png)
Sea Rover
The newest edition to our fleet, arrived mid June 2011 and since then has really proven her worth. The Sea Rover was funded by the People’s Millions Big Lottery Fund with the help from all of our supporters who helped secure this funding through telephone voting. She is specially constructed and allows full wheelchair access via a drop down ramp which means that the wheelchair user does not have to leave their wheelchair to get out onto the water. With safety in mind there are wheelchair anchoring strips in the deck plus she can also be helmed by a wheelchair user. Through this boat Belfast Lough Sailability provides full on the water support for our disabled sailors and gives them the opportunity to be accompanied by a carer/family member/friend to comfort and support them whilst on the water. Being accompanied by a familiar face is of great benefit to our young and vulnerable disabled participants as they venture out into Belfast Lough. It also gives our volunteers a vital, stable and wheelchair accessible platform from which to coach and provide increased vital safety cover for all on the water activities.
Kayaks
Due to the kindness of one of our volunteers we are able to offer another dimension to our on the water activities by having available to us the loan of three sit on top kayaks. These are very stable, manoeuvrable and easy to use allowing our members and volunteers the opportunity to experience something different to sailing.
