Review on 59er

by Mark Jardine on 21 Mar 2002 Here's an excerpt from the Yachts & Yachting article.

Friday was my first chance to have a go in the new 59er. This Frank Bethwaite designed boat is designed for the more mature skiff sailor with no trapezes, but performance that you would associate with a true skiff-style
boat. The rig will look very familiar to those used to the 29er and 49er - this is due to it being designed by Frank's son Julian
who made both of their rigs. The sail area is 150sq. ft. upwind with a 235sq. ft. asymmetric kite. Our test sail was in around 12 knots of breeze.

The first thing I noticed while sailing the boat was how flat the sails seem. With the new designs such as the 59er the hull
itself is relatively thin, requiring less depth in the sails to drive the boat along. The remainder of the width of the boat is
made up with the rolled wing-like side decks.

Upwind the boat was easy to sail and keep in a groove. Dave Hall of Ovington Boats said that the fastest upwind
performance was gained when not feathering, until it becomes too windy to do this. The responsive rig does most of the
work that would usually be required by playing the mainsheet. Loads on the controls are unbelievably light with the
off-the-boom mainsheet only requiring fingertip control. The jib is a self-tacker like the 29er and 49er with a single control
line lead centrally behind the mast. Through the tacks you really notice the extra space afforded by the high boom. Also the
extra height of the rolled side decks make it very easy to stand instantly coming into the boat.

Downwind the boat quickly gets up and goes. By sailing high initially the apparent wind quickly built sending us further off
the wind in an instant. Once here the sheet loads again were light and the boat was very stable. Gybing as well was easy
but I am sure would provide a challenge in stronger winds.

Early racing in Sydney Harbour showed the 59er to be slightly slower than a B14 in the breeze, but holding it's own in the
lighter winds. The increased rocker gives it the extra light wind performance which should be great for inland racers. The
class is aimed at crews weighing over 150kg between the helm & crew. Teams under this weight will carry lead to bring
them up to the minimum weight. - , Yachts & Yachting website

Full story: http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/default.asp?article=6054