The SB20 is a one-design class of sailboat commonly used for racing. Marketed and distributed by Sportsboat World the boat was designed by Tony Castro and launched in 2002.

Sportsboat SB20 ( ex:Laser SB3 )
Development
DesignerTony Castro
LocationUK
Year2002
No. built>800
BrandLaser / Sportsboat World
Builder(s)White Formula, UK
NameSportsboat SB20 ( ex:Laser SB3 )
Boat
Crew3 or 4
Displacement685 kg (1,510 lb)
Draft1.5 m (4 ft 11 in)
Air draft9.05 m (29.7 ft)
TrapezeNone
Hull
TypeMonohull
ConstructionGRP
LOA6.15 m (20.2 ft)
Beam2.15 m (7 ft 1 in)
Engine typeOutboard
Hull appendages
Ballast327 kg (721 lb)
Rig
Sails
Mainsail area18 m2 (190 sq ft)
Jib/genoa area9.3 m2 (100 sq ft)
Gennaker area46 m2 (500 sq ft)
Racing
RYA PN911[1]

The SB20 was originally called the Laser SB3, and was marketed and distributed by Laser Performance under license from the designer. This licence ended in 2012.[2]

The detail of the stainless steel bar of the SB20 that does not allow hiking.

The yacht is an open keelboat, strict One-Design and is designed for racing with a crew of 3 or 4 whose maximum weight must not exceed 270 kg. With a high aspect ratio keel with a very high ballast ratio the yacht is very stable, but also quite fast due to the substantial sail area. The SB20 is unique in that it does not allow hiking, using a small stainless steel bar to prevent hiking by the crew, this allows competitive crews of all shapes, sizes and ages. Fast Fun and Affordable this boat rules are so strict that it does not allow "money" to dictate the results.

The majority of boats are located in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Portugal, Australia, France, Holland, Singapore and Italy and the class has attracted considerable support. in 2019 there is a growing fleet in the UAE and Turkey. In 2005 the SB20 became the second largest one-design fleet at the Cowes Week regatta with 66 entries. In 2006 it became the largest fleet with 102 entries pushing the XOD into second place, an accolade it held for two further years.

The Sb20 Class is also unique in that since 2018 you can rent a race-ready boat to participate in regattas.

In 2020 the first SB20 Carbon version especially built and set-up for ORC and IRC racing will be launched.

There are over 800 boats worldwide, sailed in over 20 countries. Growth in fleets internationally enabled the class to successfully apply to World Sailing for the right to host a world championship, the first of which was hosted in Dublin during 2008. Regular top quality events organised by the Sb20Class.com

World championships edit

Year Location Entries Winning Boat
/ Helm
Crew Ref
2021 Cascais,
Portugal
66 OpenBar
  Henrique Haddad (BRA)
Mario Trindade
Leonardo Lombardi
Pedro Caldas
[3]
2018 Hobart,
Australia
59 Le Grand Réservoir / Mazet & A
  Achille Nebout (FRA)
  Gabriel SKOCZEK (FRA)
  Pauline Mazzocchi (FRA)
  Bruno Mourniac (FRA)
[4]
2017 Cowes, UK
79 GBR3752
  Geoff Carveth (GBR)
  Jerry Hill (GBR)
  Richard Lovering (GBR)
[5] [6]
2016 Cascais, Portugal 76 RUS 3711 - New Territories
  Hugo Rocha (POR)
Alex Semenov,
Fran Palacios,
Gonçalo Barreto
[7]
2015 Trentino, Italy 92 FRA 3653 - Give Me 5 by FFV Youth
  Robin Follin (FRA)
  Marine BOUDOT (FRA)
  Emeric Michel (FRA)
2014 St. Petersburg, Russia 48 ATOMSTROJKOMPLEKS
  Evgeny Neugodnikov (RUS)
  Sergey MUSIKHIN (RUS)
  Pavel KUZNETSOV (RUS)
2013 Hyères, France 90 GILL RACE TEAM
  Craig Burlton (GBR)
  Stephen White (AUS)
  Adam Heley (GBR)
2012 Hamilton Island, Queensland, Australia 42 GBR 3053 WKD
  Geoff Carveth (GBR)
  Roger Hudson (RSA)
  Lesley DHONAU (GBR)
[8]
2011 Torquay, UK 103 GBR 3053 Race Team Gill
  Geoff Carveth (GBR)
  Andy RAMUS (RSA)
  Emma CLARKE (GBR)
  Ian MILLS (GBR)
[9]
2010 Torbole Casaglia, Italy 110 GBR 3465 - 3 Sad Old Blokes
  Jerry Hill (GBR)
  Joe LLEWELLYN (GBR)
  Grant ROLLERSON (AUS)
[10]
2009 Cascais, Portugal 54 GBR 3042 - Race Team Gill
  Craig Burlton (GBR)
  Adam Heeley (GBR)
  Stephen White (AUS)
[11]
2008 Dublin, Ireland 137 GBR 3053 - Team Earls Court
  Geoff Carveth (GBR)
  Roger GILBERT (GBR)
  Sarah ALLAN (GBR)
  Roz ALLEN (GBR)
[12]

References edit

  1. ^ "Portsmouth Number List 2012". Royal Yachting Association. Retrieved 31 July 2012.
  2. ^ "SB20 new sales and marketing structure announced". Sail-World.com. Retrieved 17 May 2012.
  3. ^ "Cascais SB20 World Championship 2021 - Clube Naval de Cascais". www.cncascais.com (in European Portuguese). Retrieved 2021-09-28.
  4. ^ "SB20 World Championship 2018 Results".
  5. ^ "SB20 World Championship - Entry map". sb20worlds.co.uk. Retrieved 2017-10-17.
  6. ^ "SB20 World Championship - Overall series". sb20worlds.co.uk. Retrieved 2017-10-17.
  7. ^ "SB20 Worlds 2016 Results". CN Cascais. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
  8. ^ "SB20 Worlds 2012 Results". Retrieved 29 January 2013.
  9. ^ "SB20 Worlds 2011 Results". Retrieved 29 January 2013.
  10. ^ "SB20 Worlds 2010 Results". Archived from the original on 2 June 2013. Retrieved 29 January 2013.
  11. ^ "SB20 Worlds 2009 Results". yachtsandyachting.com.
  12. ^ "SB20 Worlds 2008 Results". yachtsandyachting.com. Retrieved 29 January 2013.

External links edit