Comments on: The International Optimist Dinghy https://smallboatsmonthly.com/article/the-international-optimist-dinghy/ Wed, 05 Feb 2025 14:07:43 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.2 By: Lee Thomson https://smallboatsmonthly.com/article/the-international-optimist-dinghy/#comment-153416 Sun, 26 Jan 2025 14:22:04 +0000 https://smallboatsmonthly.com/?post_type=article&p=240761#comment-153416 Both of my kids learned to sail Optis and remember them with real affection. Although the elder did come home after the first day of sailing camp and say “mom, we’re learning to sail in soap dishes, but it’s really fun!”

]]> By: Cliff McKay Jr https://smallboatsmonthly.com/article/the-international-optimist-dinghy/#comment-150932 Thu, 09 Jan 2025 00:23:07 +0000 https://smallboatsmonthly.com/?post_type=article&p=240761#comment-150932 Clarke maintained consistency with a a strong jig on which he mounted the bow, the midship thwart and the transom. With those held firmly in precise relation, it was easy to fasten the keel, chines and stringers for a consistent hull.

]]> By: Jenny Bennett https://smallboatsmonthly.com/article/the-international-optimist-dinghy/#comment-150787 Tue, 07 Jan 2025 22:53:59 +0000 https://smallboatsmonthly.com/?post_type=article&p=240761#comment-150787 In reply to kent lewis.

The Class rules dictate that bags must be 45l +/- 5l. Permissable bags are commonly available as 43l and 48l. The larger bags are slightly heavier but because they occupy more space in the boat there is less water in the boat after a capsize.

]]> By: kent lewis https://smallboatsmonthly.com/article/the-international-optimist-dinghy/#comment-150342 Sat, 04 Jan 2025 15:25:49 +0000 https://smallboatsmonthly.com/?post_type=article&p=240761#comment-150342 Good article. What size are the buoyancy bags. 43l or 48l, or both?

]]> By: Frans Loots https://smallboatsmonthly.com/article/the-international-optimist-dinghy/#comment-150294 Sat, 04 Jan 2025 07:13:08 +0000 https://smallboatsmonthly.com/?post_type=article&p=240761#comment-150294 My Dad and I built my Optimist from a kit back in 1969. We lived in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. We knew nothing about sailing dinghies. The boat weighed a ton, leaked like a sieve and when beating into a strong breeze the bows got twisted off by the sideways forces from the mast.
Building the boat started a lifelong passion for boatbuilding for me.
It was the first Optimist at our club and a very prominent Finn sailor took note of how a complete novice could set off and sail it with no help from a proficient sailor. He went and convinced a whole lot of parents to get Optimists for their kids. In next to no time the club had a huge fleet and were producing national champions.
I also think it is a pity that it has become almost impossible to get a home built Optimist to measure these days.

]]> By: Ben Fuller https://smallboatsmonthly.com/article/the-international-optimist-dinghy/#comment-150090 Thu, 02 Jan 2025 22:28:36 +0000 https://smallboatsmonthly.com/?post_type=article&p=240761#comment-150090 Clark didn’t much like what happened to the Opti, preferring it to be home or simply built. I gather that he was invited to speak at some fancy Opti championship, let the folks know and wasn’t invited back. I don’t believe it is possible to build one accurately enough to measure into the International standard. There will be a first generation home built example in the new Wells Boat Hall that will open this summer at Mystic Seaport.

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