Optimist

Also known as oppie, bathtub

international racing sailing class

Key facts

Location: International
Design: One-Design
Name: Optimist
Draft: 5 in (130 mm), 2 ft 9 in (0.84 m)
Type: Monohull
Construction: Fibreglass
Hull weight: 77 lb (35 kg)
Loa: 7 ft 9 in (2.36 m)
Lwl: 7 ft 2 in (2.18 m)
Beam: 3 ft 8 in (1.12 m)
Keel board type: daggerboard
Rig type: Sprit-rigged
Mast length: 7 ft 5 in (2.26 m)

~7 min read

Article

Optimist Fleet of Optimists Typical Optimist storage Rigging on shore Optimist dinghies waiting to a wind The Optimist, also known as Opti, is a small, single-handed sailing dinghy intended for use by young people up to the age of 15.

The Optimist is one of the two most celebrated sailing dinghies in the world, with over 150,000 boats officially registered with the class and many more built but never registered. It is sailed in over 120 countries and it is one of only two sailboats as an International Class by World Sailing exclusively for sailors under 16.