the optimist sailboat

United States Optimist Dinghy Association

Class contact information.

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Class Website

One-Design Class Type: Dinghy

Was this boat built to be sailed by youth or adults? Youth

Approximately how many class members do you have? 1200

Photo Credit:

About United States Optimist Dinghy Association

USODA is the national class organization for Optimist sailing in the United States.

Our mission is simple: USODA will support and sustain junior sailors, their families, and junior sailing programs with leadership, information, and organization which facilitates the growth of Optimist sailing at all levels. We will accomplish this while promoting fun, safety, self-reliance, and good sportsmanship.

USODA is a 501(c)(3) educational organization, able to receive tax deductible contributions from individuals. Its interest is in promoting a boat, the International Optimist Dinghy (IOD), and promoting sailing across the United States.

Boats Produced: Over 23,000 in the United States

Class boat builder(s):

The Class has multiple builders, with McLaughlin being the sole builder in the United States. The main vendors in the United States for new boats are:

McLaughlin Simmons Boatworks KO Sailing Zim

Approximately how many boats are in the USA/North America?

Where is your One-Design class typically sailed in the USA? List regions of the country:

The Optimist Class is active throughout the US.

Does this class have a spinnaker or gennaker? No

How many people sail as a crew including the helm?  1

Ideal combined weight of range of crew:  75-110 lbs

Boat Designed in  1947

Length (feet/inches): 7’2″

Beam: 3’8″

Weight of rigged boat without sails: 77 lbs

Draft: 2’9″

Mast Height: 7’5″

Class Rules (PDF Doc)

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• McLaughlin Optimist

Product Details

Mclaughlin optimists.

The only Optimist hand built in the United States by experts for over 25 years. McLaughlin has built World Champion hulls for years and have put in the hard work to come out on top. With the stiffest hulls available, minimum weight guaranteed, and best rigging options available, these boats are built to last and consistently perform for years to come.

Standard McLaughlin Hull Equipment

• Harken 3:1 Mainsheet Block System
• Optiparts Padded Hiking Straps
• Adjustable Mast Step
• 3 x Optiparts Airbags
• 2 x Standard Optiparts Bailers

Available Packages

Mclaughlin optimist club racer.

• Standard McLaughlin Hull
• Optiparts Upgraded Club Spars
• New Rule Epoxy Blade Set
• Dinghy Shop Club Sail with Window

McLaughlin Optimist Intermediate Racer

• Optiparts Quick Silver Spar Set
• Dinghy Shop Sweet Blue Race Sail with Window

McLaughlin Optimist Advanced Racer

• Optiparts Black Gold Racing Spar Set
• Choice of Quantum or Olimpic Race Sail

McLaughlin Optimist ProRacer

• Upgraded ProRacer McLaughlin Hull
• 4:1 Harken Mainsheet System with Double Tapered Mainsheet
• 2 x Optiparts Large Bailers
• Optiparts Mast Clamp
• Extra Padded Adjustable Hiking Straps
• Optiparts Black Gold / Giulietti or Optimax MK3 spars
• McLaughlin N1 PRO Foils
• Quantum or Olimpic Race Sail
• Laser Performance
• Fulcrum Rocket
• One Design Parts
• Universal Parts
• Transport & Storage
• Maintenance
• Instruments
• Paddleboard
• Accessories
• Rentals & Events

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Optimist Resources

Understanding Club, Silver & BlackGold spars.

How to set up the standard Opti rig.

Detailed photos of rigged Optis.

The Optimist sailboat  is the designed for youth sailors and is the choice for introductory sailing experiences. West Coast Sailing has all the resources you need to rig, find replacement parts, and enjoy sailing your Opti.

Opti Line Lengths:

About the Optimist:

The Optimist sailboat, affectionately known as the Opti, is a popular and iconic single-handed dinghy designed specifically for young sailors. Renowned for its simplicity, stability, and ease of use, the Optimist has become a staple in youth sailing programs worldwide. With a distinctive pram-like hull and a single, sprit-rigged sail, this small boat provides an excellent platform for beginners to learn the fundamentals of sailing. Its widespread use in sailing schools and junior regattas highlights its effectiveness in nurturing sailing skills and instilling confidence in young sailors, contributing to its status as one of the most widely sailed and recognizable boats in youth sailing.

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Meet the Optimist Dinghy

December 4, 2013 by Sail1Design Editor Leave a Comment

by Airwaves writer Emma White

The optimist, originally designed by Clark Mills in 1947, became a registered One-Design boat in 1995; after a few modifications. It is roughly 8 feet long, precisely 3 feet and eight inches wide, and weighs approximately 77 pounds. Although, many describe this boat as a floating bathtub, it does not stop youth sailors from competing and having fun. Sailed internationally in more than 100 countries with approximately 200,000 sailors registered in optimists. Optimists are safe and are easy for kids to sail who want to hit the water and have some fun. Optimists are also sailed competitively. Whether it be state, national, or even international competitions, opti sailors enjoy the thrill of racing this boat. Sailors learn invaluable skills from high-level coaches, make life-long friends, and learn skills that increase independence through various clinics and regattas offered to them.

Optimist sailors range from the age of 10 to15 years old. They are eligible to compete in national and international events. These sailors represent the ‘red’, ‘white’, and ‘blue’ fleets. The divisions further separate the sailors by age. Sailors aged10 are placed into White fleet, followed by sailors aging between 11-12 wh o are in Blue fleet, and finally sailors aging between 13-15 who are in Red fleet. Although, the fleets divided the age group of 10-15, they all compete with one another on the starting line and in the race course. Results of regattas are delineated by “fleet” and the top female competitor is usually recognized. The use of fleets is just one way to identify each racer.  Racing is available to sailors younger than 10 years of age and this group of sailors is referred to as “green fleet”. National and local events are organized for these eager, opti-enthusiasts as well, allowing them to get a head start on opti competition before they join the older sailors.

A wide age range of opti sailors also translates into a broad weight range of the junior sailors. A study of the 2011 Optimist Worlds (a competition among the most skilled opti sailors in the world) which was held in New Zealand, pinpoints the range and average weight of the top ten optimist sailors of the regatta. The average size of the finishers were 110 pounds, with a range of 30 pounds. This means that optis are for sailors of all sizes, and it also means, contrary to popular belief, optimists are not boats that sailors outgrow at the age 13.

Many of opti sailors have aspirations of competing at the Olympic level. In fact, nearly 50 percent of the United States Sailing Team are previous opti sailors. Optimists are provide a strong sailing foundation, fun and they are competitive.

            Rigging Information:

–   One hull

$1 –   Fiberglass

–   One sail

$1 –   The sail is held up with a sprit and two battens

$1 –   Sail-ties connect the sail to the boom and mast

$1 –   To adjust sail shape, change the sprit, vang, and outhaul tension

–   Use a rudder and centerboard

Thank you to the following sources for making this article possible:

http://www.optiworld.org

https://sites.google.com/site/optiracingusscmc/faqs

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Optimist_(dinghy )

http://pix.daveheinphotography.com/Boats

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Optimus Coach Development Program

2024 African Championship Notice of Race Released

Notice of race for the 2024 optimist european championship released.

2024 Optimist North American Championship - Notice of Race

Optimus coach development clinic in panama, international optimist dinghy association (ioda) empowers women with exclusive coaching camp, planning for the optimist class takes place in mallorca, 2024 optimist south american championship - nor released.

IODA Selects Metasail as Tracking Provider for European and World Championship

Record Participation Marks 30th Sailing Point Easter Regatta

2024 IODA events

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Documentation

McLaughlin Optimist

Relaunching Fall 2023...

May 12, 2023  

US One-Design, Inc , a leading importer and reseller of performance one-design dinghies, gear and accessories has acquired North American’s only manufacturer of Optimist Dinghies, McLaughlin Boat Works.

Having pioneered much of the performance technology used on today’s Optimists, McLaughlin Boat Works has been the leading producer of Optimists for over 25 years. Built right here in the United States, McLaughlin Boat Works has earned a worldwide reputation for craftsmanship, speed, and excellence. American made strength, speed, and durability have been the cornerstones of their manufacturing process, and it shows… McLaughlin has produced more championship sailors than any other boat.  Their commitment to US Optimist sailors and the broader youth sailing community has been unparalleled. “The Sherman family is eager to begin working closely with Trisha Leaver and her team of highly qualified individuals to produce the same consistent, high quality and the only “Made In The USA” McLaughlin Optimists that the sailing community has come to love.” Steve and Mike Sherman will be overseeing the new production line ensuring North America has the highest quality Optimist manufactured in the World.

US One-Design and McLaughlin Boat Works share a common mission of “giving service beyond anyone’s expectations.” US One-Design is committed to supporting competitive youth sailing and will continue McLaughlin’s legacy of supporting US Optimist sailors on-the-ground with charters, education, and regatta support.  Equally important to US One-Design owner, Trisha Leaver, is supporting club and community sailing programs.  Often known for saying “every sailor starts in the green fleet,” Leaver’s passion for getting … and keeping … sailors of all ages and abilities out on the water is the foundation upon which US One-Design was built.

McLaughlin Boat Works, in partnership with US One-Design, is open for business and committed to providing the same exceptional sales, service, and support that have made them the top choice for individual Optimist sailors, clubs and community sailing programs across the country for over 25 years.  Current inventory coupled with start-up production will assure an adequate supply of Mclaughlin Optimist for 2023 and beyond.

McLaughlin Pro Racer, Ex-Charter

McLaughlin Championship, Hull Only

McLaughlin Pro Racer, Hull Only

McLaughlin Pro Racer

McLaughlin Intermediate Racer

McLaughlin Club Racer

VIDEO - The Optimist, the very first sailboat of many sailors... with surprising performances

December 23 2019

Written by Yachting Art English Edition

You don't need foils to fly an Optimist ! The proof in video, on Yachting Art Magazine!

The Optimist (or 'opti', 'oppie', and 'bathtub')  is a small solo sailboat, designed in 1947 in Florida, for children's initiation to sailing. Usually built in composite or CP Epoxy, this dinghy is often the first sailboat on which one gets on, which gives rise to anthology regattas ! 

The Optimist is undoubtedly the most widely distributed sailing boat in the world, with nearly 150,000 units officially registered in their class around the world. This one-design yacht benefits from a class recognized by the International Sailing Federation (IVF).

The Optimist, designed in 1947 in Florida

It was in 1947 that the Optimist was imagined by the American naval architect Clark Mills, on the initiative of Major Clifford McKay who, inspired by a soapbox race, wanted to keep children busy on the water, to keep them from hanging around town: sailing rather than delinquency!

Taking up the concept imagined by Clifford McKay, Clark Mills therefore designed a small children's sailing boat with a very stable square hull, rigged as a catboat, equipped with a gaff sail and a sabre daggerboard, which can be built by an amateur, from a sheet of plywood! The plans were then offered to the Clearwater Yacht Club, which registered the patent.

The first Optimist flotilla was financed by local merchants and since then, the Optimist's popularity has never wavered.

Optimist reaches Europe via Scandinavia

Improved by Danish naval architect Axel Damgaard, the Optimist was introduced to Europe from Scandinavia, and was actively promoted by Olympic multi-medalist Paul Elvstrøm. In 1960, the Optimist design was modernised and the boat officially became a one-design class in 1995.

The Optimist is generally the first sailing boat on which 120,000 children in 120 countries all over the world have taken up sailing. At the London Olympics, 80% of the sailing competitors were former Optimist sailors!

The defects of its qualities

Packed with qualities, indetrônal in spite of the numerous attempts of certain shipyards, the Optimist has two major defects: the fact that it fills up with water much faster than you would like, and its non-folding rudder, which requires you to position it once you are on board, a not very simple operation for beginners. 

L'Optimist, le tout premier voilier sur lequel on monte... aux performances surprenantes - ActuNautique.com

Pas besoin de foils pour faire voler un Optimist !! La preuve en vidéo, sur ActuNautique.com ! L'Optimist est un petit voilier solitaire, conçu en 1947 en Floride, pour l'initiation des enfants ...

http://www.actunautique.com/2016/05/l-optimist-le-tout-premier-voilier-sur-lequel-on-monte-aux-performances-surprenantes.html

Optimist Technical Data Sheet

• Technical data sheet
• Length 2.34 m
• Beam 1.20 m
• Weight from 35 to 45 kg
• Draught 7.8 cm
• Mast height 2.35 m
• Sail area 3.60 m².
• Architect Clark Mills (1947)

VIDEO - The Optimist, la prima barca a vela di molti velisti... con prestazioni sorprendenti - Yachting Art Magazine

Non c'è bisogno di fogli per far volare un Optimist! La prova in video, su Yachting Art Magazine! Uploaded by Zeljko Perovic on 2013-11-26. L'Optimist (o 'opti', 'oppie', e 'vasca da bagno') è un...

http://www.yachtingart.com/2019/12/video-the-optimist-la-prima-barca-a-vela-di-molti-velisti.con-prestazioni-sorprendenti.html

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The history of the Optimist Dinghy

Related Articles

Hatteras Sailing

encouraging youth sailing and competitive opportunities

Optimist Class Sailboats

Why does Hatteras Sailing sail the Optimist Class?

The Optimist Class sailboat has been the standard for youth and junior sailing programs for decades. The class was launched in 1947, and has a long history as the training boat on which the world’s best sailors learn the basics. The boat was designed and first built in Clearwater, Florida but quickly traveled to Europe and throughout the world. The International Optimist Dinghy Association (IODA) was formed in 1965 and remains one of the most active racing classes in sailing. There are many reasons for a juniors program to adopt the Optimist Class as the training boat for young first time sailors.

Optimist is a deceivingly humble class. An uninformed observer may look at an optimist and see a little kids pram, but an optimist is a fairly high performance little dinghy, and the rigging is cleverly adjustable. From that angle, the Optimist is the unsung hero of junior sailing, and just skirts the line between safety, simplicity, and performance.

Hatteras Sailing chooses to sail the optimist for the same reasons thousands of other sailing and yacht clubs worldwide:

Availability of boats, gear, and competition

Sailboats are expensive. They are expensive to own and expensive to maintain. For a community sailing program, like Hatteras Sailing, it is a prudent decision to choose a boat that is very popular with a long history. This means there is a larger market of used gear and boats which is more affordable for a community supported program.

Many opportunities for racing locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally

Because the Optimist Class has such a long and well established class association (IODA), there are many more opportunities to sail against other competitive sailors in an Opti versus other training dinghy designs. Optimist is just the standard worldwide. If any of our sailors show exceptional talent, more opportunities for more competitive racing helps our club develop that talent.

It is ideal for a sailor to remain in the Opti class as long as physically possible.

The IODA allows sailors to remain in the optimist class up to 15 years of age. The relative simplicity of the Opti class allows sailors to focus on understanding the fundamentals of sailing – wind, current, physics, weather, and the physical and mental multitasking required to make expert sailors. The competition is intense, worldwide sailing opportunities are prevalent, and the sailors learn and practice racing tactics and strategies becoming experts at very young ages. By the time a sailor is ready to graduate Opti class, these fundamental skills should be well developed allowing the sailor to transition into team sailing and more boat complexity on a strong foundation of more fundamental skills.

What gear and equipment does an Optimist Class sailboat need to be competitive?

There is a fair amount of gear an Optimist sailor needs for his/her boat to be legal for racing, but also to be competitive. In this article, we are going to outline the rigging and gear. There many other accessories such as watches, wind instruments, etc which are legal in racing that are not particularly unique to Opti sailing and, while nice to have, those will not be covered here.

Optimist Boat & Gear

• Tiller and tiller extension
• Daggerboard
• Spars: mast and boom
• Mainsheet blocks and rigging
• Bow line /Painter
• Daggerboard securing bungee & rigging

Personal Gear

• Dinghy Sailing booties
• Good watch with timer

Hatteras Sailing currently only has one dolly which we share among all 8 of our boats. Within this fall season, it is our goal to raise enough funds to have a dolly for each boat. Our team also needs a travel trailer which will hold all of our competition Optis, gear, dollies, and rigs.

How much does it cost to buy and equip a new Optimist Class sailboat to perform at the highest level?

A brand new Pro Level Opti equipped for international level racing with a full set of gear and accessories can be purchased new for around $5000. Club level boats can be found for less and the largest manufacturer also sells re-certified refurbished hulls in good as new condition.

A sailboat “class” is a written specification agreed and maintained by the sailors of the class. Most sailboat class associations will allow any builder to manufacture to the class standard, and provide certification services to builders who wish to produce sailboats for the racing class. This is true of the Opti Sailboat Class.

There are many manufacturers for the Optimist class, and the competitive differences between boats are fairly minimal. However, the gear, sails, and rigging can be a significant difference to a sailor’s performance. Currently, our club has a set of 7 borrowed optimists that belong to the Colington Yacht Club and most were built by McGlaughlin.

Many clubs build their own Optis and request a certification of their boats. There are advantages to a ‘build your own program’. Clubs may choose to build because it offers a significant bonding and educational experience for both the parents and sailors. An Opti can be built in wood or in fiberglass. If you build an Opti from fiberglass, it is helpful to have a certified mold and then each boat is racing class. The builder of the mold gets a manufacturer’s certificate and issued a builder number, etc.

Owning your gear and accessories

Our club has a set of 8 hulls (7 borrowed, 1 owned) in pretty good condition and well maintained. Our club eventually does need to purchase its own boats.

Currently, sailors in the Hatteras Sailing program do not need to buy a boat to participate or to be competitive. However, as our sailors improve and succeed in regional racing, having a really great boat that belongs to you is something that every competitive sailor eventually wants. Sailboats like Optis resell for pretty good value. A great Opti purchased for $5000 may sell in 7 years for $2500 – $3000.

When a sailor makes it onto the Hatteras Sailing Invitational Team, they earn the right to choose a club hull and label that hull with their own name. In essence, for as long as they remain on the team, that boat is assigned to the sailor, and that sailor should race, equip, and maintain that the boat as their own.

Equipping your boat

There is considerable wear and tear on gear that is used during practice, etc, and keeping a secondary set of gear preserved for racing is a good strategy. This could mean purchasing or making your sailor a new set of racing sails, boards, rigging, and even spars that they only use for racing.

Any personally owned racing gear belongs to the sailor and is not used by other club members during practice or scrimmage. It can be kept at home and preserved in good condition. Accessories and gear can be augmented and improved by the sailor’s family, preserved in very good racing condition, and sold later to another sailor. All our invitational sailors are invited to have their own gear, but not required to do so.

Article References & Links

Windcheck Article

McGlaughlin

IODA Website

• EXPLORE Random Article

How to Sail an Optimist

Last Updated: April 7, 2023

This article was co-authored by Nitzan Levy . Captain Nitzan Levy is a Sailor, Social Entrepreneur, and the Founder of Sailors NYC, a recreational sailors’ club based in Jersey City, New Jersey that specializes in cruising boats and a variety of community programs. Capt. Levy has over 20 years of sailing experience and has sailed in many places around the world including: the Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea, The Caribbean, and the Indian Ocean. Capt. Levy is a U.S. Coast Guard Licensed Master of vessels up to 50 Tons with Auxiliary Sail and Assistance Towing Endorsements. Capt. Levy is also a NauticEd Level V Captain Rank Chief Instructor, an American National Standards Assessor, an SLC instructor, an ASA (American Sailing Association) Certified Instructor Bareboat Chartering, and an Israeli licensed skipper on Boats for International Voyages. This article has been viewed 41,693 times.

Sailing is fun and easy if you know how. Optimists are safe, simple boats designed for children who are learning how to sail. Their main advantage is that there are extensive opportunities for children to take optimist sailing to a very advanced level. Hugely popular, there are optimist national teams in many countries and Optimist World Championships are held annually. On a more local level, there are thousands of smaller competitions available which are organized by yacht clubs and sailing programs.

• Keep in mind that a boat cannot sail directly into the wind.

Community Q&A

• Check the weather before you set sail. This way, you’ll have a general idea of which way the wind is blowing. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• There are plenty of other small boats to choose from if you are an adult that are a lot easier to maneuver in. The most popular single-handed small boat is the Laser. These usually require you to be over 110 pounds to be able to sail properly. If you are under this weight, another similar boat is the Byte, which is smaller than the Laser and most popular in Canada. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• If you are starting out, there is a plastic version available which is slower but more durable than fiberglass. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• Sit on the opposite side of the sail. The fastest position for an optimist is when all four corners of the hull are in the water. If there is a light wind, you may find that you have to lean towards the sail in order to achieve this. This helps to keep the boom from coming towards you if the wind is not heavy enough to keep it out. Thanks Helpful 6 Not Helpful 0
• Ensure you have a bow line with a bowline knot at the end attached to your mast step. Do not thread this through the drain hole in the middle of the rail at the front of the optimist. Doing so will gradually wear away the rope during towing and may lead to it snapping undertow. The severed end will snap back and may lead to serious injury of the sailor, particularly risking eye injury. It will also prevent fast evacuation in the event of a thunderstorm. Thanks Helpful 4 Not Helpful 1
• As with all water sports, sailing can become dangerous when the weather is not favorable. If you are caught out in a thunderstorm, capsize (turn over) your boat immediately so that the mast is underwater and perpendicular to the sea floor. Stay with your boat. Do not go out if you believe that the wind conditions are too difficult for you, however, you should always push yourself to manage in conditions slightly more difficult than you are used to because this is how you will improve. Thanks Helpful 6 Not Helpful 3
• Even if there is light wind and clear blue skies, you should always wear a flotation aid. Thanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 3

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OPTIMIST DINGHY SPEED GUIDE

North Sails class leaders Zeke Horowitz and Juan Carlos Romero answer your International Optimist Dinghy speed and boathandling questions.

Who sails an Optimist Dinghy?

The pram-style Optimist is a great starter boat for learning to sail and later learning to race, and youth sailors can literally take their Optimist Dinghy to whatever level they want. Any motivated young Optimist sailor will develop both confidence and dinghy sailing skills, from boathandling techniques to big-fleet strategy and tactics; some will go on to race at the highest levels. The sailors who do best in the class are those who spend the most time sailing their boats, usually with a good coach, strong sailing program, and ample resources. The International Optimist Dinghy Association is the biggest one-design class in the world.

Top young Optimist sailors line up on the starting line at a clinic held on Miami's Biscayne Bay.

Who is the ideal Optimist sailor physically?

Sailors should be fit and agile, able to move gracefully and hike out for extended periods. Those who do best are usually 12 to 14 years old and weigh up to 110 pounds. Regionally, top sailors can still compete at 115 or even 120 pounds. Girls sail equally with boys, and it’s common to see three or four girls in the top 10 at any regatta.

What are three top Optimist speed tips?

• Find a good coach and team.
• Focus hard while you’re on the water.
• Do well in school so you can miss days while off sailing.

What should buyers know when choosing an Optimist Dinghy?

Any sailor’s first boat is typically a used boat, to allow for collisions due to inexperience with dock landings and being in close quarters with other boats. Competitive sailors will normally move up to new boats as they reach higher levels. Older boats can remain competitive, but heavy travel and racing schedules put a fair amount of wear and tear on the boats. As a result, used boats may need gelcoat dings and scratches repaired. A fully outfitted new boat may run $5,500, while a good used boat costs 30 to 40 percent less. Keep in mind that you can purchase different sizes of boom section with different stiffness, although most sailors stick with a mid-range version. As a sailor grows, a stiffer boom may be preferred. If your mast is extremely bendy, it may also help to replace it with a stiffer one as experience and size merit.

How do you move an Optimist Dinghy around?

An Optimist weighs only 35 kilograms (77 pounds), which makes it easy to put on top of a car. There are also many trailering options; some teams own trailers that carry up to 18 boats, plus a coach boat!

How long does it take to rig an Optimist Dinghy?

Rigging time depends on how focused the sailor is on the task, but it’s not hard to have a boat ready in 40 minutes. What’s most time-consuming is attaching the sail to the spars, which in the Optimist requires tying knots in a way that’s carefully prescribed by the rules (see the North Sails Optimist Tuning Guide ). The goal is to match the luff curve with how much the mast will bend in a given condition, which varies depending on a sailor’s weight.

How many sails are allowed?

Top sailors will take two sails to a regatta, but just one sail is allowed for the duration of the event; the other is a backup in case of a breakdown. There is some nuance to selecting Optimist sails, but North presents a good choice of radial or crosscut sails of different size depending on the sailor’s weight. Read more about what North offers , from a crossover sail for beginners, to two crosscut and four radial-cut racing sails.

International Optimist Dinghy Tuning

What are the keys to rig set-up.

Properly eased outhaul tension shows wrinkles at each sail tie giving ample power to the lower part of the sail.

What control systems are unique to the Optimist?

A modest wrinkle from the top of the mast extending toward the end of the boom indicates correct sprit tension.

Optimist Dinghy Upwind Sailing

How do you trim the sail upwind in light air.

Shown sailing in a clinic (without sail numbers), these Optimist Dinghies show off the design’s distinct profile with sprit rig and squared off bow and stern.

When sailing in medium winds, how should the sail be trimmed upwind?

Move the mast rake back to your base setting when you move to the rail, and in choppy conditions, pull the outhaul tight enough so the vertical creases at the boom sail ties extend only up to the first seam. Smooth out the wrinkles in the luff by removing one twist in your boom preventer, so you achieve a round, deep nice shape for the entry. You want moderate luff tension, but you don’t want it tight. Trim the sprit so the sail is very smooth, and trim the mainsheet so the boom is right over the corner or just inside the corner of the transom.

In hiking mode or heavy air upwind, how do you trim the sail?

When hiking, rake the mast a bit forward from your base setting to compensate for how the mast will bend. Have your outhaul tight enough that a crease shows in the foot, until you fill the sail with wind. Take another twist off the boom preventer to get good tension on the luff. Sprit pole tension should still be tight and the sail, smooth. When trimming, ease the boom to the corner of the boat and sometimes just outside the corner.

When the Optimist is sailing upwind, overpowered, how should the sail be trimmed?

Demonstrating good upwind sail trim, this Optimist sailor is flying her leech telltales and has the boom trimmed at or near the transom corner.

What are the key gear changes in an Optimist when sailing upwind?

The Optimist sailor’s focus when sailing upwind is primarily on body movement, mainsheet trim, and steering the boat. None of the sail controls are adjusted. When there are choppy conditions or a big wave, bear off and ease the sail to stay powered up. In a flat spot, trim harder to improve your pointing. Because the Optimist is a hard-chine boat, keeping the boat flat is critical—the boat makes leeway and the rudder works like a brake when you allow heel.

What else is important upwind?

One important technique to learn is “sailing and bailing.” Two buckets are attached to the boat with bungee cords, and the technique is to scoot aft and squeeze the bailer bucket between your front leg and the bulkhead, rocking the boat to windward to fill the bailer by feathering the boat up and hiking at the right time. Move your mainsheet and tiller extension to the same hand and use your free hand to toss the water in the bailer overboard. Don't forget that a full bailer of water weighs 8 pounds, which is quite a bit of weight working against you when it’s sloshing around the floor of your boat.

Optimist Dinghy Downwind Sailing

Where do you sit when sailing the optimist downwind.

Heading downwind, you always sit on the rail, heeling a little to windward to lift the leeward chine out of the water and to tilt the sail a little higher. In light air and until you’re surfing, stay forward, with your shins against the bulkhead. Effectively, you’re staying in the middle of the boat. In surf and big waves, move aft quite a bit to avoid submarining the bow under a wave and then move forward again. The amount of fore-and-aft body movement is greater in an Optimist than in some other singlehanders because the bow is blunt, so in waves you need to work hard to keep it above water.

How do you trim downwind?

This sailor’s downwind trim shows slight windward heel, mainsheet eased to 90 degrees, and daggerboard fully raised.

How much pumping of the main is fast downwind?

Pumping the main is fast any time there’s good wind and waves. Top sailors grab the sheet at the ratchet block and pump it by extending their hand up over their heads. You are allowed one pump per wave, and at major regattas there are on-water judges keeping count.

How do you shift gears when sailing an Optimist downwind?

Think about how far in or out you have the boom, and think about how much you should be moving fore and aft. In max light air, the daggerboard is up, the boom is out past 90 degrees, and you’re focused on keeping the boat as quiet and at as steady an angle of heel as possible. In 20 knots, it’s completely different—the board is only two-thirds of the way up, you are pumping on every wave, and you are moving all over the place.

Optimist Dinghy Boathandling

What are the keys to starting well in an optimist.

It’s important to get into the front row and hold your position on the line in advance of the start. It’s also key not to get flagged for sculling with your rudder. This takes practice, always keeping the boat moving but at the slowest speed possible. You want just enough flow across the leech of your main to hold your spot. The boats tack quickly, so we recommend that you learn to do a quick double-tack; sometimes when there’s space to windward, you can tack twice and gain valuable room on your lee side for acceleration.

What are the keys to tacking an Optimist well?

Steering from behind your back, move what was your forward, mainsheet hand aft to hold the tiller extension as well, then bring your other hand around and take the mainsheet. In all conditions, over-trim the mainsheet when you start your tack until head to wind so you maintain flow on your sail, then ease it through rest of the process and finally trim the sheet afterwards, usually after the boat has been flattened. In medium air, you make the same move, but it happens faster and you’re moving from rail to rail. The main trim is the same. When it’s windy, you hardly roll the boat and simply move quickly across, grabbing the rail with one hand to get there. Ease the main during the tack once you pass head to wind and then trim when fully hiked.

What are the worst mistakes in tacking an Optimist?

Over-rolling the boat and filling it with water is easily the worst mistake. In light air, be sure not to use too much rudder. That’s slow, and so is not getting enough roll. We have one word to describe finding the right amount of roll for each condition—practice!

What are the keys to jibing an Optimist well?

In light air, keep it smooth. Have the boat rocked to weather already, then just lean in and grab the parts of the mainsheet, lean out, and pull the sail over. Stand up and walk across the boat to avoid a big splash, then transition to heel the boat again to windward. In medium winds, your roll jibe is the same but involves a quick hop across the boat (as you would in a tack). In heavy air, the jibe is different. Your main goal is “Don’t flip over.” Try to pull the boom across while surfing a big wave because your sail will be less loaded and you’ll be more in control; however, you’ll often find the boom still has enough load on it to require a strong pull. A common mistake is to get stuck—you’ve turned the boat part way, but the main is too loaded to come across. When you are ready to jibe, jibe with confidence by making a decisive turn at the same time that you pull the main over. As the sail comes over, cross the boat quickly to the rail and steer back to leeward on the new jibe. Make sure the main doesn’t get eased beyond 90 degrees as you jibe, or you’ll surely flip.

Do you have any other suggestions for jibing in heavy air?

The chicken jibe (also known as “tacking”) is popular when it’s blowing. If you’re a less-experienced heavy-air sailor and not sailing in the top 20, this is a great way to be sure you’ll stay in the race.

Can you recover on your own from capsizing an Optimist?

An Optimist sailor can “self-rescue” because the boat has three air bags. Make sure they are fully inflated so less water gets in the boat. If you flip, right the boat from the windward side and spend at least one minute standing in the boat and bailing hard with both bailers, which are attached to the boat with bungee cords. At that point you can start sailing and bail out the rest as you go.

What boathandling drills do you recommend?

The board is down and the main is powered up for the turn at the leeward mark. A bit of leeward heel would reduce the amount of rudder required.

What are the most common Optimist boathandling mistakes?

Let’s start with not capsizing. It takes practice to learn where the edge is in heavy air. Other mistakes we see include using too much rudder instead of doing smooth roll tacks and roll jibes. This applies to sailing in a straight line, too. For example, avoid using too much rudder downwind. If you start heeling to weather too much, the boat wants to head down. Instead of pushing the tiller to compensate, shift your body weight to leeward and trim the main.

What’s the coolest thing about the International Optimist Dinghy class?

The Opti class is by far the largest and most dynamic one-design class, in part because it has the most variables on the planet. Parents, coaches, and thousand of young sailors, growing up through a super-sensitive time of their lives. The basic strategies and tactics the class requires are a great outlet and an excellent way to learn the values of discipline and conservative decision-making. Whether you travel and learn about getting through airports and how to make friends in other countries, or you simply learn to take care of your own boat and sail on your own, Optimist sailing is a chance for you to learn a whole lot about yourself in a supportive, fun, rewarding environment. The Optimist is sailed all over the world and has a half dozen continental championships. After sailors age out, some go on to contend for Laser Radial and 4.7 world titles, and many become leading competitors in doublehanded classes such as the 420 and 29er. A final testament to the class: the great majority of skippers at the 2016 Olympics got their start in the Optimist class.

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Flavia tomiselli: 2024 richmond award winner and rising star at north sails, explaining the world’s most advanced sail technology, people power: cleaning up air in the med's ports.

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Injecting optimism and inspiration

"I know ME as an adult, would have helped ME as a kid, to believe in myself sooner, dream bigger and reach for more quicker. I believe I can do this for thousands of sick, needy and very average kids. Help the Little Optimist and I to inspire them!" Greg Bertish

Little people can do HUGE things!

Optimist (noun): definition  = An optimist is a person who engages in positive thinking, or “looking on the bright side” of things. Optimism is the outlook that good things will happen, even if the situation may not appear totally positive at the moment.

An Optimist Dinghy: definition  = The Optimist is a small (8 foot by 3.5 foot), single-handed sailing dinghy intended for use by children up to the age of 15. The Optimist (Opi) is known as a small Childs sailing dinghy, a bit of toy rather than a yacht. 

The Little Optimist was created to be a character, a metaphor and vehicle to connect with kids, to promote positive thinking and belief, and to create a passion and purpose to overcome obstacles in life. Through his humanitarian work with children,  Greg saw that many marginalized and compromised  kids (and everyday people) in South Africa,  had very little to live for. They had a lack of hope, passion and desire to  follow their dreams.  As a child, he too lacked confidence, had bad acne, was a poor student and was bullied. He later endured 200 days in hospital and underwent 2 open heart surgeries due to an undiagnosed Tropical Bacteria that attacked his heart valves.  Using his life-changing experiences and adventures, Greg created the story of The Little Optimist, a tiny boat with a huge heart. A little character that inspires kids to overcome their circumstances, to do good, to be optimistic and to never ever give up.

To boldly go where no Optimist has gone before!

Optimism is a potent health tonic and through our children’s books we inspire kids to be optimistic and do more good.

BUY A PRESENT OF PASSION, INSPIRATION AND HOPE

For Each book you buy, WE donate a book to a marginalised child.

Greg was a bullied child, who did not think he would amount to much.  He had bad acne, was insecure and did not excel at school. Due to key mentors and moments in his life, he was able to overcome his insecurities and fears and has become a leader, role model and an inspiration to many. After a rare tropical bacteria  attacked his heart valves, he underwent multiple surgeries and 200 days in hospital. Greg survived & thrives. The power of positive thought and the strength of the human spirit have helped him piece back his life and his lifestyle, and he now inspires many through his unique Optimist talks, books, movies  and programs.

Sailing Therapy

As a bullied and insecure child, Greg found relief and self healing through sailing his little optimist dinghy. Through the Trust Greg has designed and helps run Sailing Therapy Programs. These Sailing Therapy experiences and programs play a key role in helping kids who are compromised either health or socio-economically wise, to overcome their physical and mental hardships.

Optimism is a potent health tonic. The documentary Optimist , has shown at film festivals around the world, and has  inspire thousands of people to be optimistic and follow their dreams. Each time the movie is downloaded , a marginalised kid in Africa receives a donated Little Optimist book in their home language.

Greg Bertish, joint winner of the 2019 METS DAME awards in Amsterdam. Awarded in recognition of charity work carried out by The Little Optimist Trust in South Africa.

Optimism is a potent health tonic and through our programs, talks, books and documentary we inspire kids to be optimistic despite their present situation.

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Optimist Documentary: Buy now & support a child in Africa

The Optimist: the most popular children's dinghy in the World

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Welcome to IOCA UK, the class association for the Optimist dinghy which organises events and training throughout the UK.  Most of the world's best sailors started in the Optimist dinghy and went on through other classes all the way to the Olympics.

Whether you are interested in training, or racing at local or national events, or the chance to take part in european events, IOCA UK is here to help you get started and support you along the way.

Check our Racing and Training calendars to find all of our upcoming national and regional events.

The News section has details of previous events and a form to signup for class email announcements.

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