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Designed by Frank Bethwaite (Julian's father), Ron Norman who's
a Professor at the University of Tasmania, and Mike Lemon of Tamar
Design, this new Sailing Simulator for Lasers or similar una-rigged
dinghies, promises to revolutionise the way we train our bodies
for racing. By simply lifting the boat on to the pivoting simulator
frame and connecting the rudder and sail trim sensors to the computer,
the helmsman can, thanks to the visual monitor display, experience
virtual sailing simulation. There's even the option to switch off
the heel ram so beginners can learn about steerage and sail trim
without having to worry about being 'tipped in'. And for the more
advanced there's the option to add gusts, shifts, and increase the
windstrength, and plot a course to sail around.
The new Sailing Simulator sounds a very
useful bit of kit, but what's the price?
The RRP is approximately $US15,000. To order a unit the best thing
to do is visit the website: www.virtualsailing.com.au/
and order from there.
As well as Olympic sailors, who do you most see the Sailing Simulator
appealing to?
Olympic sailors will benefit greatly and that area is where a
lot of the money will come from initially, but it has a much broader
appeal. We particularly like the idea of sailing schools using it
to introduce kids into sailing. And it gives an opportunity to train
at any time of day, whatever the weather.
Would you say it's primarily a training platform for getting fit?
Yes. Sailors in hard training will be able to race every day and
concentrate on their weak areas. If they lack in strength in strong
winds for example, that is the area they'll work, the same applies
to light airs and waves.
Tell me a bit about the new dinghy designs
you have on the drawing board?
The first is a 39er, a 4.7m, two-man non-trapeze asymmetric dinghy
suitable for an overall crew weight range of 145-180kg, and the
other is the 9er, a 2.4m kiddies boat which weighs just 15kg and
has a sail area of 3.8sq m²
What sort of market research do you do before
designing a new dinghy and how important do you feel this is?
There is no substitute for thorough market research. It is undoubtedly
the reason why our designs are so successful. I would say that we
probably do more international market research than any other marine
design company in the world.
How do you rate UK-based Ovington Boats,
the company which builds of many of your designs?
Top class. Dave Ovington is a great builder, arguably the best
in the country. He has a massive workforce producing quality boats
including the successful Mumm 30s.
I know Ovington Boats build the 29er but
is there anyone else in Europe building them yet?
No, but because some Europeans won't buy British - like the Kiwis
not buying off the Australians - we are currently looking for another
European builder.
What about internationally?
We have some good builders in Canada, Argentina, South Africa,
New Zealand and Australia. And we are looking at the possibilities
of Czech, Holland, Italy and probably Korea.
As a one-design I know they shouldn't,
but do you find they vary from builder to builder?
Fortunately we haven't found any discrepancies yet. The Americans
started their fleet with a container load from Australia and a container
load from the UK and they were identical.
How many countries sail the 29er?
We've sold over 500 boats in 25 countries in just two years. And
it's already an international class.
When the 49er was selected as the new high performance dinghy
for the Olympic Games there was naturally a huge surge in sales.
Do you think it has hit its peak?
It hit its first peak, flattened off and sales are now on the
way back up again.
What are your views about the longevity of the 49er?
The hulls last about four or five years whereas the wings generally
only last about two and a half years.
Do the wings cause a lot of stress to the hull?
I think the wings probably mitigate a lot of the stress because
they act like springs. Unlike hard aluminium tubes the wings remain
flexible.
And finally, what do you think about the
recent Olympic classes decision?
Predictable. Although I do feel sorry for the Soling class, I
understand why it was dropped over the Star. There are so many more
Stars in the world and it has the advantage of being a two-man boat.
Thanks Julian and good luck with the Sailing
Simulator. 
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