B&G
Encyclopedia
B&G, formerly known as Brookes and Gatehouse, is the leading developer and manufacturer of advanced instrumentation systems for racing and cruising sailing yachts.
and the 2008–09 Volvo Ocean Race.
Over the course of the 1950s, B&G, now based in Romsey
on the south coast of England, extended its activities into echo sounders and in 1960 produced its first speedometer. In 1966 the ketch
Gypsy Moth IV, the yacht which earned Sir Francis Chichester his single-handed circumnavigation record, was equipped with a full suite of B&G instruments.
In the 1970s and 1980s the company continued to rapidly innovate, receiving in 1981 a Design Council Award for its Hercules electronic data system, which effectively introduced computers to leisure boating, and continues to do so to this day, remaining the market leader in advanced instrumentation systems for grand prix racing yachts and sailing superyachts, as well as for club racers and blue water cruising yachts.
As a company B&G has changed hands a number of times during its 53 year lifetime, and is now a subsidiary of Navico
, the Norwegian based leader in the leisure marine electronics sector. B&G however remains headquartered just a few miles from its birthplace, in Romsey, Hampshire.
, navigator
and crew and/or analysed by integral data processing functions to produce additional information flows that enable the yacht's crew to make informed decisions with regard to performance optimisation and navigation strategy and tactics - particularly in a competitive environment.
Data that is collected may include apparent wind speed, apparent wind angle, boat speed, heading, position (Latitude/Longitude) and depth. By combining and analysing these inputs a B&G system can calculate and display in real time information such as true wind speed, true wind direction, course over ground, Velocity made good
, time and distance to next waypoint, and much more. This data can additionally be fed into tactical navigation software such as B&G's proprietary Deckman system and analysed against tidal and current databases, electronic charting and weather prediction feeds to enable the navigator to devise the fastest and most efficient route between two or more points. This information can also be fed into autopilot systems.
In 2008 the B&G product range is centred around the H3000 system, with a wide range of configurations available for boats of all types and sizes. Grand prix racing yachts typically include the ground-breaking WTP2 (Wave Technology Processor) which compensates for the movement of the boat itself through the water via a three axis rate-gyro sensor to give even greater accuracy in data read-outs, and at substantially higher speeds than conventional systems.
Alongside instrumentation, B&G also designs and manufactures self-steering gear
for sailing yachts. Their autopilots have been used by many short-handed racers, including Dame Ellen MacArthur during her single-handed circumnavigation race on Kingfisher in the 2000-01 Vendee Globe
and her outright single-handed circumnavigation record on Castorama/B&Q.
Products include:
, Hampshire, England, where B&G was first established. B&G Service can perform service and repairs for all B&G equipment worldwide, including products dating as far back as 1956.
Introduction
Its equipment can be found on many of the world's leading sail racing yachts, including the majority of competitors for recent competitions such as the 2007 America's Cup2007 America's Cup
The 2007 America's Cup was the thirty-second challenge for the America's Cup and was won by Alinghi in the 7th race. The Cup is the most famous and most prestigious regatta and Match Race in the sport of sailing....
and the 2008–09 Volvo Ocean Race.
History
The company was founded in 1956 by Major R.N. Gatehouse and Ronald Brookes who had formed a partnership the previous year to develop and manufacture a new radio direction finder (RDF) for use by private sailing boats. In 1956 the 'Homer' receiver was produced, said to be the first transistorised RDF to be made available to the world's leisure marine market.Over the course of the 1950s, B&G, now based in Romsey
Romsey
Romsey is a small market town in the county of Hampshire, England.It is 8 miles northwest of Southampton and 11 miles southwest of Winchester, neighbouring the village of North Baddesley...
on the south coast of England, extended its activities into echo sounders and in 1960 produced its first speedometer. In 1966 the ketch
Ketch
A ketch is a sailing craft with two masts: a main mast, and a shorter mizzen mast abaft of the main mast, but forward of the rudder post. Both masts are rigged mainly fore-and-aft. From one to three jibs may be carried forward of the main mast when going to windward...
Gypsy Moth IV, the yacht which earned Sir Francis Chichester his single-handed circumnavigation record, was equipped with a full suite of B&G instruments.
In the 1970s and 1980s the company continued to rapidly innovate, receiving in 1981 a Design Council Award for its Hercules electronic data system, which effectively introduced computers to leisure boating, and continues to do so to this day, remaining the market leader in advanced instrumentation systems for grand prix racing yachts and sailing superyachts, as well as for club racers and blue water cruising yachts.
As a company B&G has changed hands a number of times during its 53 year lifetime, and is now a subsidiary of Navico
Navico
Navico is the world’s largest developer, manufacturer and distributor of marine electronics for the recreational market, supplying over 100 countries around the world. The company was created in March 2006 through the merger of Simrad Yachting and Lowrance Electronics by their common owners, Altor...
, the Norwegian based leader in the leisure marine electronics sector. B&G however remains headquartered just a few miles from its birthplace, in Romsey, Hampshire.
Products
B&G produces integrated instrumentation systems that collect and analyse a wide range of data relating both to a yacht's performance and the external conditions in which it is sailing. This information can then be displayed to the helmsmanHelmsman
A helmsman is a person who steers a ship, sailboat, submarine, or other type of maritime vessel. On small vessels, particularly privately-owned noncommercial vessels, the functions of skipper and helmsman may be combined in one person. On larger vessels, there is a separate officer of the watch,...
, navigator
Navigator
A navigator is the person on board a ship or aircraft responsible for its navigation. The navigator's primary responsibility is to be aware of ship or aircraft position at all times. Responsibilities include planning the journey, advising the Captain or aircraft Commander of estimated timing to...
and crew and/or analysed by integral data processing functions to produce additional information flows that enable the yacht's crew to make informed decisions with regard to performance optimisation and navigation strategy and tactics - particularly in a competitive environment.
Data that is collected may include apparent wind speed, apparent wind angle, boat speed, heading, position (Latitude/Longitude) and depth. By combining and analysing these inputs a B&G system can calculate and display in real time information such as true wind speed, true wind direction, course over ground, Velocity made good
Velocity made good
Velocity made good, or "vmg," is a term in sailing, and specifically yacht racing, that refers to the component of a sailboat's velocity that is in the direction of the next mark. The concept is useful in sailing, because a sailboat often cannot, or should not, sail directly to a mark to reach the...
, time and distance to next waypoint, and much more. This data can additionally be fed into tactical navigation software such as B&G's proprietary Deckman system and analysed against tidal and current databases, electronic charting and weather prediction feeds to enable the navigator to devise the fastest and most efficient route between two or more points. This information can also be fed into autopilot systems.
In 2008 the B&G product range is centred around the H3000 system, with a wide range of configurations available for boats of all types and sizes. Grand prix racing yachts typically include the ground-breaking WTP2 (Wave Technology Processor) which compensates for the movement of the boat itself through the water via a three axis rate-gyro sensor to give even greater accuracy in data read-outs, and at substantially higher speeds than conventional systems.
Alongside instrumentation, B&G also designs and manufactures self-steering gear
Self-steering gear
Self-steering gear is equipment used on ships and boats to maintain a chosen course without constant human action. It is also known by several other terms, such as autopilot and autohelm...
for sailing yachts. Their autopilots have been used by many short-handed racers, including Dame Ellen MacArthur during her single-handed circumnavigation race on Kingfisher in the 2000-01 Vendee Globe
Vendée Globe
The Vendée Globe is a round-the-world single-handed yacht race, sailed non-stop and without assistance. The race was founded by Philippe Jeantot in 1989, and since 1992 has taken place every four years....
and her outright single-handed circumnavigation record on Castorama/B&Q.
Products include:
- Hydra 330
- Hydra 2
- Hydra 2000
- Hercules 690
- Hercules 790
- Hercules 2000
- H1000
- H2000
- H3000
- WTP
- WTP2
- WTP3
- Zeus
- Triton displays
- 4G broadband radar
Service
The B&G Service department is still located in LymingtonLymington
Lymington is a port on the west bank of the Lymington River on the Solent, in the New Forest district of Hampshire, England. It is to the east of the South East Dorset conurbation, and faces Yarmouth on the Isle of Wight which is connected to it by a car ferry, operated by Wightlink. The town...
, Hampshire, England, where B&G was first established. B&G Service can perform service and repairs for all B&G equipment worldwide, including products dating as far back as 1956.