Bethwaite Design

The boat's performance is indisputable and its design can only be described as innovative. A craft that is respected for its speed, agility and finesse. It is easy to sail but is technically challenging to race well.

Classes are established around the world where the B14 currently provides close racing where women represent 10% of the class. Because of the light loads and the emphasis on technique rather than power, women excel in this class. Since the B14 uses hiking racks, the differential in righting moment over weight, which does affect performance, is significantly reduced between short and tall people as compared to trapezing. As was discovered during the prototyping of the B14, and now globally accepted in this type of boat, crew weight (within a very broad range) is significantly less of a factor than with other heavier boats. Again, because the boat is twin hiking, the usual requirement of 'larger person on the wire, smaller person on the helm' does not apply.

The B14 has proven to be popular with the new breed of sailors who are looking for the thrills of 18 ft skiff sailing at a low cost.

The B14, irrespective of crew weight, is all about subtlety, agility, grace, finesse, elegance, rhythm and balance.

The B14 was designed in 1986 by 18ft skiff champion Julian Bethwaite. The design of the boat is modelled on his two handed 18ft skiff 'Prime III' which incorporated many innovative concepts such as the asymmetrical spinnaker and the two man crew. The blend of skiff ideas, such as hiking racks, retracting spinnaker pole, asymmetric spinnaker, flexible topmast and a dish-like cockpit makes the B14 an attractive boat.

In the initial development of the boat a weight equalisation system was used. This however was proven to be of no benefit.

In 1987 the B14 was launched in Australia. Since then fleets have also grown in Japan and Hong Kong. In 1993 Rondar Raceboats Ltd launched the B14 into Europe. There are now fleets in most European countries.

As the boat has had a maturing period in which a limited number of improvements have been made to the boat and the construction methods, there is now little room for specification changes which would enhance performance.

There is no strong marketing machine behind the B14. The Designer and Boat Builders have relied on the quality and characteristics of the boat to help build and promote the class. This helps to keep the retail cost to a minimum. The B14's main promotional activity is through exposure at events, training and demonstrations, and Dinghy Shows.

Outstanding power to weight ratio is the key to the B14's blistering performance, which is enhanced by a sophisticated rig. A wide range of body weights can remain competitive in all conditions and because of the light loads and easily driven hull form, it returns an outstanding performance for effort.

The positive steering and directional stability in high winds are impressive and this makes it easy to sail both upwind and downwind. A fully battened main and a large genoa produces exhilarating speed to windward, this is dramatically boosted by the easy to handle asymmetric spinnaker off the wind. The mast features a glass fibre top section to both reduce weight and to offer outstanding flexibility in strong winds, thus providing perfect gust response. The extended wings allow the crew to drive the boat with greater control and balance, while the asymmetric spinnaker, set from a retractable bowsprit, makes gybing easy, encouraging downwind tacking in any condition.

Easily managed on shore, the B14 can be easily carried to and from the water by three people and can be towed or carried on a roof rack. The detachable wings fit neatly on the deck.

The B14 is very stable in heavy winds due to the wide rack configuration which allows the crew to drive the boat fast. It is very simple to rig and to transport and has the added value of beating most boats on the water. This is a truly exciting 'One Design' concept that has lead the revolution to dinghy high performance sailing.

Both women and men find the boat challenging and exciting to sail. It is a boat that can be learned to sail quickly and easily but requires a considerable amount of technique to sail at top level. This enhances the class whereby beginners can acquire skills by competing with those at advanced levels. Most owners of the B14 love their boat and did not buy due to media and marketing pressure, but for the boat itself. The B14 is a pure adrenaline racing machine, but is also a boat that people enjoy sailing.