{{Short description|Olympic sailing class}} {{More citations needed|date=August 2008}} {{use dmy dates |date=June 2021}} {{Infobox sailboat specifications |name = |image boat = 49er skiff.svg |class_image = 49er black.svg |crew = 2 (double [[Trapeze (Dinghy Gear)|trapeze]]) |loa = {{convert|4876|mm|ft|abbr=on|sigfig=2}} |lwl = |beam = without wings:<br />{{convert|1752|mm|ftin|abbr=on|sigfig=2}}<br />with wings:<br />{{convert|2743|mm|ftin|abbr=on|sigfig=2}} |draft = {{convert|1447|mm|ftin|abbr=on|sigfig=2}} |hull weight = {{convert|94|kg|abbr=on}} |mastheight = |mainsailandjib= {{convert|19.97|m2|abbr=on|sigfig=3}} |spinnaker = {{convert|37.16|m2|abbr=on|sigfig=3}} |d-pn = 68.2<ref name="UScb">{{cite web|url=http://offshore.ussailing.org/Portsmouth_Yardstick/Current_Tables/Centerboard_Classes.htm |title=Centerboard Classes |publisher=US Sailing |access-date=31 July 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120315064646/http://offshore.ussailing.org/Portsmouth_Yardstick/Current_Tables/Centerboard_Classes.htm |archive-date=15 March 2012 }}</ref> |rya-pn = 710<ref name="RYA2017">{{cite web |url=http://www.rya.org.uk/SiteCollectionDocuments/technical/Web%20Documents/PY%20Documentation/PN%20List%202017%20(Web%20Version).xlsx |title=Portsmouth Number List 2017 |publisher=Royal Yachting Association |access-date=22 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170323054424/http://www.rya.org.uk/SiteCollectionDocuments/technical/Web%20Documents/PY%20Documentation/PN%20List%202017%20(Web%20Version).xlsx |archive-date=2017-03-23 |url-status=dead }}</ref> |phrf = |updated = |status = current }} The '''49er''' is a double-handed [[skiff (sailing)|skiff-type]] high-performance [[sailing dinghy]]. The two crew work on different roles with the [[helmsman|helm]] making many tactical decisions, as well as steering, and the crew doing most of the sail control. Both of the crew are equipped with their own [[Trapeze (sailing)|trapeze]] and sailing is done while cantilevered over the water to the fullest extent to balance against the sails.
The 49er was designed by [[Julian Bethwaite]] (the son of [[Frank Bethwaite]]) and developed by a consortium consisting of Bethwaites, Performance Sailcraft Japan, Peter Johnston, and Ovington boats.<ref name=":0" /> The boat has been an Olympic class since it was selected by the [[International Sailing Federation]] to be the men's high performance double handed dinghy [[Sailing at the 2000 Summer Olympics|Sydney Summer Games of 2000]]. Its derivative featuring a re-designed rig, the 49er FX, was selected by [[World Sailing]] to be the women's high performance double-hander at the [[Sailing at the 2016 Summer Olympics|Rio Summer Olympics of 2016]].
==History== The 49er's name comes from its hull length of {{convert|4.99|m|ftin}}. It incorporates ideas developed in Julian Bethwaite's [[18ft Skiff]]s, notably the Prime Computer series of boats, which were double handers.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://forums.sailinganarchy.com/index.php?showtopic=163903|title = Prime Computer Skiff| date=20 February 2015 }}</ref>
To handle a large and powerful sail area, the mast uses a square topped sail that causes the upper main to twist off and flatten, allowing a controllable sail with fast gust response and reducing the heeling moment. The use of solid wings, rather than tubes as on similar boats ([[RS800]] etc.), makes it easier for the crew to run across the deck from gunwale to gunwale during maneuvers.
[[Image:49er.jpg|thumb|49er skiffs in a race]] [[Image:49er sail boats.jpg|thumb|49ers at the Extreme Sailing Series in Boston harbor preparing to race, 4th of July, 2011]] The 49er made its first Olympic appearance at the Sydney Olympics in 2000 and has continued to grow in popularity ever since.
With a [[Portsmouth yardstick]] Handicap of 740 the 49er is the fastest two person one-design monohull dinghy.
In 2009 the boat received a new rig design, including a larger fully carbon mast (replacing the aluminum mast) and square top (roach) mainsail.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.49er.org/component/option,com_frontpage/Itemid,1/ |title=49er Class |website=49er.org |access-date=2010-01-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100127181931/http://www.49er.org/component/option,com_frontpage/Itemid,1 |archive-date=2010-01-27 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
==Construction== As a one design class, the 49er has two licensed suppliers, Mackay Boats in Oceania and Ovington in Europe.
===Hull=== The hull is made of Epoxy GRP and foam sandwich laminate with carbon fibre in high load areas. It includes two solid wings, also called racks, that clip into the side to increase righting moment of the trapezing crew.<ref name="ovingtonboats.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.ovingtonboats.com/index.php/shop/49er.html |title=49er shop |website=Ovington Boats |access-date=2015-05-08 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518024316/http://www.ovingtonboats.com/index.php/shop/49er.html |archive-date=2015-05-18 }}</ref> Its length was fixed at 4.99 metres because the ISAF brief for the high performance Olympic class dinghy called for a 5-metre boat, but Tokao Otani, a member of the development consortium, pointed out that there was a tariff in Japan for boats over 5 metres long.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |title=Higher performance sailing|first=Frank|last=Bethwaite|date=2008|publisher=Adlard Coles Nautical|isbn=9781408101261|location=London|oclc=854680844}}</ref> It has a fine entry to efficiently transition between the low speed displacement, and high speed planing modes.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://49er.org/class-info/the-boat/design-elements/|title = Design Elements| date=26 May 2023 }}</ref> According to the International 49er class rules, the minimum hull weight including all permanent fittings can not be less than 94.0 kg.<ref name="sailing.org">{{cite web |title=International 49er Class Rules |url=http://www.sailing.org/tools/documents/49er2016CR220416-[20658].pdf |access-date=13 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170327071646/http://www.sailing.org/tools/documents/49er2016CR220416-%5B20658%5D.pdf |archive-date=27 March 2017 |pages=11 & 16 |date=2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> [[File:Weymouth Olympics Polish mens 49er.jpg|thumb|49er at the 2012 London Olympic Games]]
===Spars=== Southern Spars, part of the [[North Sails|North Technology Group]], is the licensed supplier of the 49er mast. It is a three piece male-moulded assembly made from 100% standard modulus carbon.<ref>{{cite web |title=49er Mast Users Manual |url=http://www.mackayboats.com/mackayboats/assets/File/49erUsers%20Manual%202010%20%20%5BCompatibility%20Mode%5D.pdf |website=MackayBoats |publisher=SouthernSpars |date=2010}}</ref> It is 7.0 metres tall and capable of supporting a combined crew weight up to 165 kg from its dual trapeze. The mast is braced by three sets of [[Shroud (sailing)|shrouds]] that connect to a fitting on the side of the boat. The crew is able to adjust them by tightening or loosening them, depending on the wind speed and sea states.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.southernspars.com/southernspars/Projects/OneDesign/49erClass/tabid/28060/language/en-US/Default.aspx |title=49er |website=SouthernSpars |access-date=2015-05-08 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120628021208/http://www.southernspars.com/southernspars/Projects/OneDesign/49erClass/tabid/28060/language/en-US/Default.aspx |archive-date=2012-06-28 }}</ref>
The boom is made from an [[aluminium]] alloy extrusion.
===Foils=== The [[rudder]] and [[daggerboard]] are made from a composite of epoxy, carbon and glass, covered by a hard [[gelcoat]] surface. The head of each class legal foil carries the embossed 49er logo and the ICA label.<ref name="sailing.org"/>
===Sails=== The 49er carries three sails: a mainsail, jib, and spinnaker. The main and jib combined are 20 square metres, fully battened and made of reinforced Mylar (film polyester). The main was redesigned in 2007 from a full, curved roach plan to having a square on top in order to provide more sail area and to control more shape adjustment. The spinnaker is 38 square metres in a tri-radial asymmetric shape.<ref name="ovingtonboats.com"/>
==Events==
===Olympics=== ====Men's 49er==== {{Olympic medallists in 49er}}
====Women's 49er FX==== {{Olympic medallists in 49er FX}}
===World Championships=== {{Main|49er & 49er FX World Championships}} ====Men's 49er==== {{49er World Championship medallists}}
====Women's 49er FX==== {{49er FX World Championship medallists}}
==Related boats==
The 49erFX was developed by Mackay Boats to be a women's Olympic class. It consists of a 49er hull, wings, and foils, with a scaled down rig designed to suit the weight of an elite female crew.
The [[29er (boat)|29er]] is a smaller, single trapeze trainer to the 49er. It has become popular in North America, Europe and Australia as a fast youth boat. Recently the [[29erXX]], a twin trapeze version of the 29er, has been produced with a rig very similar to the 49er.
The 59er dinghy was put into production in Australia and the UK in 2002. It is a non-trapeze, {{Convert | 4.7 | m | ftin | adj = on}} sailing dinghy, rigged with an [[asymmetrical spinnaker]]. It is designed for a crew weight of {{Convert | 145 to 180 | kg | sigfig = 2 | abbr = on}}.
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{Commons category}} * [http://www.49er.org/ International 49er Class Association] * [http://www.49er.org.uk/ UK 49er Class Association] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20110427125904/http://www.sailing.org/classes/49ER.php ISAF 49er Microsite]
{{Olympic class sailboats}} {{International Sailing Federation Classes}} {{Sailing dinghies and skiffs}} {{Authority control}}
[[Category:49er (dinghy)| ]] [[Category:Sailboats defined by class]] [[Category:Sailboat types built by Nautivela]]