Bethwaite Design

Bethwaite Design, founded by Frank Bethwaite (1920-2012) and continued by his children including Julian Bethwaite, is an Australian design firm that revolutionized high-performance dinghy sailing. Frank Bethwaite, an aeronautical engineer, applied scientific principles to sailing, authoring the influential book 'High Performance Sailing.' The firm created numerous successful designs including the Tasar, 49er (Olympic class), 29er, and contributed to the development of the Laser II. Bethwaite designs emphasize lightweight construction, efficient rigs, and planing hull forms. Their systematic approach to design, combining theoretical analysis with extensive testing, has profoundly influenced modern dinghy and skiff design worldwide. The firm continues to innovate in high-performance sailing under Julian Bethwaite's leadership.