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Dinghies planing in a strong breeze under mountains
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Optimist

One-design class · Clark Mills · since 1947

Boats
11
Results
12
Wins
4
Races
1
Length
2.36m
Beam
1.12m
Draft
0.84m
Weight
0.0t
Sail area
3.3m²
Official class page
OverviewBoats11Races1

Why sailors choose the Optimist

The Optimist is the standard first racing dinghy for children, a cheap, simple pram that young sailors can handle alone from about age eight. Families and clubs choose it because of its enormous worldwide class, a structured path to international championships, and a strong record of producing Olympic sailors. It is only for sailors under 16, so everyone eventually moves on.

  • Simple, safe single-hander for children
  • Largest youth class, sailed in over 120 countries
  • World and continental championships give a clear competitive path
  • Many Olympic dinghy skippers started in it
  • Restricted to sailors under 16

Our note

Most successful

  1. 1US national team1 win · 2 results
  2. 2JKU Deep Blue1 win · 1 results
  3. 3Turkish national team1 win · 1 results

Specifications

One-design class

Designer
Clark Mills
First built
1947
Length
2.36m
Waterline
2.18m
Beam
1.12m
Draft
0.84m
Displacement
35kg
Sail area upwind
3.3m²
Keel
lifting

Single-handed youth dinghy with a sprit rig and daggerboard; displacement is hull weight.

Published figures for the design; individual boats are often modified. Sources: en.wikipedia.org

What sailors and testers say · in our words, from the linked pages

  • He calls it the natural first boat for young sailors, with over 150,000 boats registered across more than 120 countries.

    IODA Secretary General Antonio González de la Madrid, via Sailors for the Sea · Sailors for the Sea, 2024

  • The club says it is safe enough for an eight-year-old yet technical enough for a 15-year-old, and many Olympic dinghy skippers began in it.

    Royal St George Yacht Club (Dublin) · Royal St George YC