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Optimist

Optimist-Pro Medium

dinghy

Our race-grade Medium cut, the racing version of our benchmark all-round sail for sailors chasing results, not just club points.

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

Sails For This Class

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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

The same middle cloth weight as our standard Medium sail, cut to racing specification with tighter shape tolerances and finishing for sailors who race at a level where consistency across the fleet matters.

Racing Context

Used by sailors campaigning across national and continental Optimist events, including the IODA World Championship, where fleets at major regattas can run to several hundred boats.

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