International Optimist ("Opti")
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The International Optimist ("Opti") dinghy is one of the
world's most popular boats for young sailors. There are regattas
at every level from local to regional to national to international.
The boat is most commonly used for sailing education and racing
by pre-teens although weight in such a small boat becomes more of a
factor under some conditions: in heavy air, heavier sailors tend
to do better than their lighter competitors. The opposite tends to be
true for light air and lighter sailors. It is not at all unusual to
find adults sailing these "teacups" in just-for-fun races.
And why not? At one of the prestigious California Yacht clubs a few years ago, multi-America Cup competitor and winner Dennis Conner was observed getting ready to sail an Opti in a just-for-fun event. Someone asked him is it wasn't a bit beneath him to sail such an undignified teacup. He replied "when my competitors sail bathtubs, washtubs or innertubes, I sail bathtubs, washtubs or innertubes. It is, after all, a measure of the sailor's skill, not the depth of their pocket that should determine the best sailor."
Optis can be had used for under $1000. A newish, race-ready one will be $2000-4000.
Camano Sail does not use the Opti in its Camano Island program because the fiberglass construction does not take kindly to Learn-to Sail students running the boats onto our rocky and sometimes barnacly beach. We use another excellent 8-feet long dinghy, the Walker Bay Breeze which is available from our sister company, Lil' Cat Boat Co., Ltd at a very attractive package price which includes sailing lessons.
Opti photos compliments of Geoff Webster, photoone@ihorizon.net
Home Port Walker Bay
And why not? At one of the prestigious California Yacht clubs a few years ago, multi-America Cup competitor and winner Dennis Conner was observed getting ready to sail an Opti in a just-for-fun event. Someone asked him is it wasn't a bit beneath him to sail such an undignified teacup. He replied "when my competitors sail bathtubs, washtubs or innertubes, I sail bathtubs, washtubs or innertubes. It is, after all, a measure of the sailor's skill, not the depth of their pocket that should determine the best sailor."
Optis can be had used for under $1000. A newish, race-ready one will be $2000-4000.
Camano Sail does not use the Opti in its Camano Island program because the fiberglass construction does not take kindly to Learn-to Sail students running the boats onto our rocky and sometimes barnacly beach. We use another excellent 8-feet long dinghy, the Walker Bay Breeze which is available from our sister company, Lil' Cat Boat Co., Ltd at a very attractive package price which includes sailing lessons.
Opti photos compliments of Geoff Webster, photoone@ihorizon.net
Home Port Walker Bay