WARNING!

READING THIS PAGE COULD CHANGE THE REST OF YOUR LIFE There are hundreds of thousands of people out there addicted to sailing . . . . because of the Optimist

Why sailing?

Sailing is fun: a great social life, now and for the rest of your days Sailing is for all: tall? short? fat? thin? girl? boy? green with pink spots? - sailing is for you Sailing builds self-reliance, physical strength, quick thinking and a love of the environment Sailing doesn't cost a fortune - we'll talk about that later

Why the Optimist? Optimists are designed for kids. They can handle them without danger, fear or back-strain Single-handed is best. They didn't learn to ride a bike on a tandem Over 150,000 kids in over 100 countries cannot be wrong The Optimist is not only the biggest dinghy class in the world, it is the fastest growing The only dinghy recognised by the ISAF* exclusively for under 16s *the world organising body for sailing Former Optimist sailors were over 50% of the dinghy skippers at the last Olympics Builders on five continents. Your local sailing club has them - and if it doesn't, it will!

What is an Optimist? "a flat-bottomed, hard-chine, pram-bow dinghy with a una spritsail" (The Observer's Book of Small Craft) "a bathtub that breeds the best sailors" (Observant Sailor at the Club Bar) 2.31m (7'6.1/2") long, 1.13m (3'8") wide. Weight 35kg (77lbs). Easily transported on top of any car, (where it will drip water over your shiny paintwork!). Safe and simple enough for an 8-year old Exciting and technical enough for a 15-year old Available in GRP, wood or wood/epoxy.

What will it cost? In North America add around 30% to the prices below. Around US$500 a year. It works like this (very like the secondhand automobile market): US$ 500 - 800 buys a good first boat (pre-owned) - and you can expect to drop $200 when you sell Trade up every year or so. Reckon on adding around $300 a year to your investment When you sell your last Optimist you have the price of a good secondhand Laser or 420 - and the path to a lifetime of sailing If you want to buy new, beginners' boats start around $1,600 + any sales taxes. But see the warning on the technical page Add a good buoyancy aid/PFD (personal flotation device) and some clothes according to your local weather Check out fees at your local sailing club That's all, folks! Now check out your local sailing club or contact your national Optimist association. For an overview on IODA and its activities see our Yearbooks. Return to Optimist Homepage