Watercraft
The Club is closely, but not exclusively, associated with the Shannon-One-Design (SOD), a single-sail class of open clinker built boat designed for a crew of two. Subsequently it was considered desirable to bring a third person along, and this has now become the class rule. The SOD was modelled on a traditional 18'-0" lake boat. The SOD was designed by Morgan Giles of Teignmouth. It was introduced to the Club in 1922 in response to a growing demand for a one-design competitive and less expensive dinghy. Over a hundred and forty have now been built for the Shannon Lakes, almost all by the master craftsmen such as Walter Levinge, Peter Quigley, and Jimmy Furey of Lough Ree. Some of the original fleet still continues to race. Sail numbers started at No. 32.
The largest and most significant event run by the club annually is a week long event commencing on the August Bank Holiday.
Other than SOD's, the Club is made up of a growing number of barge owners, as well as a large mixed cruiser class and a junior section, both of which are very active. Junior sailing was introduced in 1968, and today instructs beginners with a fleet of Optimist, Laser, Mirror and Laser Pico dinghies.
Read more about this topic: Lough Ree Yacht Club