Sydney International Boat Show 2005

Visitors to the Sydney International Boat Show will be able to try their hand at sailing a dinghy without leaving shore. Sailability NSW and Access Dinghies will have a sailing simulator on their joint stand (130E). The simulator is based on the hull of a 2.3 metre Access dinghy and utilizes a computer program to prompt the “virtual sailor” and measure his/her skill.

According to Neil Anderson, President of Sailability NSW, the simulator will be a big drawcard to the Sailability/Access Dinghy stand. “The simulator has been developed by respected yacht designer Frank Bethwaite. It has roll motion and a screen on the bow which monitors the sailor's progress around a race course, complete with timing. It has the usual joy-stick steering and mainsheet controls that are found on an Access”.

Australian-designed and made Access Dinghies are the dominant design amongst the 45 Sailability clubs around Australia. They allow even those sailors with severe disabilities to show their considerable skills - in boats with outstanding performance. And yet they are just as suitable for sailors of all abilities and of all ages.

In addition to experiencing the simulator, Sailability stand visitors can win a Zodiac Cadet Compact Inflatable, kindly donated by Zodiac Group Australia, along with a 3hp outboard, total value $2530. Tickets are $2 each.

Sailability is the the BIA-nominated charity of the Sydney International Boat Show.BIA President, Ian McAndrew comments: “Sailability, as part of its vision, is keen to attract more members, more volunteers and to gather community support. The BIA is delighted to be able to give Sailability NSW the opportunity to showcase its operations with a stand at the Sydney Boat Show”. This is the seventh year in which Sailability NSW has been honoured in this way.

The Sailability stand will be manned by well-informed Sailability NSW members and volunteers ready to answer questions and arrange membership.

Sailability NSW is one of eight state or territory organizations under the umbrella of Sailability Australia and is part of the world-wide Sailability organization. Sailability is organised and manned entirely by volunteers. In NSW alone, there are 23 Sailability branches, each running regular sailing days.

Graeme Adam, Sailability PR, graemeadam@sailability.org.au. 0423 741 681