Proven from Sydney Hobart to Tahiti Named Dimension-Polyant cloth Designed in Geelong, shipped worldwide Talk to a sailmaker
A$US$ Get a quote
Kraken Favicon
QUOTE
Quote
Go
Browse all 1,200+ boats →
Optimist

Optimist-Light

dinghy

A lighter cloth weight for light-air performance, keeping power in the sail when there's barely enough breeze to fill it.

LOA
2.3
M
YEAR DESIGNED
1947
DESIGNER
Clark Mills
One-Design Sails

Sails For This Class

Showing the single result

Technical Data

Specifications

LOA
2.3
M
Beam
1.13
M
Draft
0.84
M
Hull Weight
35
KG
Crew Min
1
Crew Max
1
Year Designed
1947
Mainsail Area
3.3
M²
Jib Area
0
M²
Spinnaker Area
0
M²
Class Profile

Class Facts & History

Category
Optimist
Type
dinghy
Designer
Clark Mills
Class Association
International Optimist Dinghy Association (IODA)

History

Clark Mills designed the Optimist in 1947 for a junior sailing programme in Clearwater, Florida, built from two sheets of plywood so any family could afford one. The design was standardised in 1960, the class became strict one-design in 1995, and IODA now oversees a class sailed in more than 120 countries with well over 150,000 boats registered, more than any other sailing dinghy in the world.

Sailing Characteristics

Cut from a lighter cloth than our Medium sail, this generates power sooner and holds a fuller shape in light air, which matters for a crew at the low end of the class weight range. Best suited to lighter sailors and drifter conditions.

Racing Context

Suited to light-wind venues, lighter or younger sailors, and events where the breeze regularly sits under ten knots, common at many club and regional regattas.

Not Sure This Is Your Exact Boat?

Browse the full range of one-design classes we build sails for, or get in touch and we'll help you find the right rig.

Browse All Classes