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Sailing the Olympic Journey
                US Sailing Team
The Newest Olympic Sailing Class:
The 49er is the brainchild of Australian 18 ft skiff maestro Julian Bethwaite. Bethwaite designed a 16 foot boat, along the lines of an 18 foot skiff, that sails at extreme speeds, but remains manageable for two people. He incorporated all the benefits of lightweight, high-tech construction methods while adhering to strict one design principles and rigid class rules. The result is a masterpiece - the world's most exciting sailboat, now available to all comers.
The hull and deck of the 49er are constructed of an epoxy/E glass laminate sandwiched around a PVC foam core and vacuum bagged. Carbon fiber, unidirectional reinforcements support the mast and shrouds. The solid wings are of similar construction to the hull and provide added stability and ease of movement for the sailors. 49er foils are foam cored epoxy with unidirectional glass and carbon reinforcements. The result is a rock solid platform of extremely light weight.

 

 

The flexible topmast automatically depowers the main-leech in puffs, allowing more sail area for light air.
Standardized one-design sails by Neil Pryde.
Self-tacking jib runs on a curved traveler spanning the deck in front of the mast
Pulling the spinnaker halyard extends the carbon fiber spinnaker pole, pulls the tack out to its end and hoists the spinnaker. Pulling the other end releases the halyard, pulls the spinnaker into its chute and also retracts the pole.
The 49er rig is a two-part unit composed of long, spun-fiberglass and carbon, flexible tip, which runs from the top to just under the lower spreader. The bottom section is anodized aluminum. The 2 spreader set up with cap, primary and immediate shrouds allows for plenty of control and tuning and can still support the gigantic, high-profile, masthead, asymmetrical spinnaker.


 


LOA: 16'
Beam: 5'9"
Beam with wings 9'
Sail Area: 215 sq. feet
Spinnaker: 400 sq. feet Draft: 4'9"
Rigged Weight: 270 lbs

 

The ram vang, pushing down on the boom from above, saves the mast from inverting and creates space forward under the boom.

The high boom allows an easy run from wing to wing in the tacks and gybes.
The mainsheet leads straight off the boom to the hand as in the 18s.


Solid wing, an integral part of the design, makes moving around the boat easier for sailors.


Wings slide inboard for storage and trailering.


The 49er can sail faster than the wind!


Stop by a competition and ask for a ride.