The new Frank Bethwaite-designed Ovington 59er is making its debut at the Sailboat and Windsurf Show this weekend. This two-man sitting out boat was certainly drawing the crowds and if any of the other Ovington boats any thing to go by, this new design has every chance of success.

According to Ovington’s Dave Hall, Frank Bethwaite has taken the Tasar just one step further: ‘It’s a boat which will perform and give asymmetric apparent wind sailing using the shift techniques – balance, and steerage – without having to be an athlete.’

To ensure the boat can be sailed equally by similar weight crews there’s a minimum crew weight of 150kg. So if you’re too light, you simply need to add some lead kilos to get up to weight. ‘It’s a penalisation system,’ says Hall, ‘to stop the lightweights winning all the time. They’re welcome to sail but they’ll have to top up their weight.’

Although the layout and rig is virtually the same as the 29er and 49er, the hull is quite different. To take the increased crew weight, there’s more volumn and the chine is further aft.

The moulds for this new boat are now complete and Ovington will be starting to build for a May delivery. And the price? ‘7,200 ready to race.

For more details, contact Ovington Boats at sales@ovingtonboats.co.uk