What is the best sail shape?

A deep or “full” shape is more powerful than a flat shape. Deep sails are best for power and acceleration. A flat sail is best when overpowered in heavy air. A flat shape is also fast in smooth water, as it creates less drag.

How much does an optimist sailboat cost?

While a brand new, ready to race Optimist will start at less than $3,000, completely rigged Optis suitable for beginners can be had for less than $1,000.

How do you depower an Optimist?

The key depowering technique is to loosen the sprit tension, take another twist off the preventer, and push the boom down hard to pull on the vang—then, pull only some of the sprit tension back on, which leaves the sail with a wrinkle from the top of the mast to the clew.

What sail shape is fastest?

Our results were that the triangular sail (with the point up) went considerably faster than the other sails. Our research seems to indicate that our hypothesis was incorrect, as the triangular sail (with the point up) went much faster than the three other sail shapes.

How heavy is an Optimist?

An Optimist weighs only 35 kilograms (77 pounds), which makes it easy to put on top of a car.

How fast can an Opti go?

Due to its inherent stability, unstayed rig, robust construction and relatively small sail, the Optimist can be sailed in winds of up to 30 knots. Optimists are manufactured to the same specification by over 20 builders on four continents. There is strong evidence that hulls from different builders are the same speed.

When was the Optimist boat invented?

1947
Origin. The Optimist was designed in 1947 by American Clark Mills at the request of the Clearwater Florida Optimist service club following a proposal by Major Clifford McKay to offer low-cost sailing for young people. The Optimist Club ran a soap box derby, but wanted more than a single-day event.