B&G software purchase

Graeme Winn's Wave Technology Processor and Deckman for Windows acquired

B&G, a Simrad company, has acquired the rights to Sailmath technology and products. This state-of-the art technology line features the Wave Technology Processor (WTP) and Deckman for Windows (DfW) tactical software, which are both used by the world's best racing teams and navigators. B&G already has a strong relationship with Sailmath and the acquisition will enable further integration of this premium technology with B&G equipment.

“Sailmath technology is the perfect partner for B&G and Simrad,” comments Richard Acland, Managing Director, B&G. “Like B&G pilot and instrument users, sailors using Sailmath technology know that accurate, reliable information and control is crucial to great performance. By combining B&G and Sailmath technology, we're looking to improve performance at the top level even further. These are very exciting times.”

The Sailmath WTP offers data rates up to 10 times faster than other instrument processors. Its core design function is to increase accuracy of information in even the most sophisticated systems. As such, WTP can generally be found integrated with B&G systems on the majority of Americas Cup yachts, Volvo Round The World boats and winning Grand Prix race boats.

The main function of the WTP is to provide highly accurate navigational and tactical data to the navigator and crew. WTP uses sophisticated algorithms to correct errors in wind data induced by the movement of the boat in waves and during manoeuvres. To achieve this it uses rate-gyros to determine and correct for the motion of the yacht and its effect on the calculated wind data. The power of the WTP enables accurate corrections of these readings in real time, enabling crew to make decisions based on wind data with confidence.

WTP is a flexible platform that allows for bespoke solutions for special projects, further enhancing B&G's Special Projects work with customers on solutions that perfectly suit the requirements of their project.

Though B&G and Simrad are technology orientated, development of an in-house WTP alternative was deemed unsuitable. “The market is only so big, and to develop a further competing product would have had only increased the level of competition to an unsustainable level. Acquiring these products now gives B&G the best overall complete solution, and allows us to consolidate our position in our traditional core market,”
states Richard Acland.

In addition to the WTP, Sailmath's Deckman for Windows (DfW) software is used by many of the world's top teams and their navigators. DfW can be linked to all current B&G instrument systems and provides navigators with precise tactical and weather based information. “DfW software is designed to improve performance in both inshore and offshore racing. It is already used by many B&G equipped yachts and has found a perfect home on RaceVision2, B&G's waterproof, ruggedised on-deck PC,” says Richard Acland.

Dr. Graeme Winn, the creator of Sailmath's products will be assisting B&G in the integration of the technologies: “Sailmath technology and B&G equipment have always been ideally suited, with many of the world's top yachtsmen and teams using the combination of advanced software and hardware to boost performance. The full integration of Sailmath into B&G is an exciting prospect, and I'm looking forward to helping the process, and to continuing to work with B&G on new developments in the future through my new company, Racing Navigation Consultancy Ltd”

“The strategy regarding the acquisition of this technology is to strengthen and leverage B&G's position in the premium and race sectors of the market. WTP and DfW are very complementary to B&G's existing product range, and naturally enhance the H2000 and RaceVision systems,” concludes Jan Berner, President of Simrad.