How fast can an Optimist sail?
30 knots
Due to its inherent stability, unstayed rig, robust construction and relatively small sail, the Optimist can be sailed in winds of up to 30 knots. Optimists are manufactured to the same specification by over 20 builders on four continents.
Is Optimist sailing an Olympic sport?
It has been an inspiring summer of Olympic sport and we congratulate all the former Optimist sailors who participated in the 2012 Olympics. Of the 209 boat skippers 79% were known former Optimist sailors and 59% had sailed in Optimist international events. Only 18 (9%) are known not to have sailed Optimists.
Why is it called a genoa?
The city’s modern name may derive from the Latin word meaning “knee” (genu; plural, genua) but there are other theories. It could derive from the god Janus, because Genoa, like him, has two faces: a face that looks at the sea and another turned to the mountains.
How much does an Opti weigh?
77 pounds
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!
When was the Optimist boat invented?
1947
It recounts the origins of the Optimist dinghy in the initiative in 1947 of Major Cliff McKay from Clearwater in Florida who linked his 11-year old son’s love of sailing with the popular soapbox car racing of the time.
What is a number 1 sail?
a # 1 would be you biggest head sail on the boat and so on. SOme people have a 110 and a storm sail so the 110 would be ther # 1 and the Storm Sail would be a # 2.
What is a 100% jib?
Jibs and Genoas are triangular sails which are affixed to a stay in front of the mast. Jibs are typically 100% to 115% LP and are generally used in areas with heavier winds. The smaller area of a jib allows it to be able to perform more efficiently in greater wind speed without the need to furl away sail shape.
What is a lightning sailboat?
The Lightning is an American sailing dinghy that was designed by Olin Stephens of Sparkman & Stephens as a one-design racer and first built in 1938. An accepted World Sailing class, the boat is one of the most popular one-design sailing classes in the United States and is also raced in several other countries.
What kind of sails do you use on Optimist dinghy?
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. What are the keys to rig set-up?
Is the Optimist sailboat a racing boat?
Most packages are available as new or utilizing our charter fleet gear. As proud as we are of our American-made, expertly crafted Optimist sailboats, we know that a racing boat is only as good as the racer at the helm. With that in mind, we are proud to document the incredible results of McLaughlin racers around the world.
Which is the best sailboat in the world?
McLaughlin is the most technologically advanced Optimist sailboat in the world, specifically engineered for speed and a proven champion – our Optimist sailboat has never been beaten in World Championship competition. Built right here in the United States, McLaughlin has earned a worldwide reputation for craftsmanship, speed, and excellence.
How long does it take to rig North Sails Optimist?
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 ).