fibre section slots into the top of the standard
Opti mast. The mast is still stepped in the
conventional way. The new sail is not only a
more conventional shape but is also 1.2m^2
bigger than the standard Opti’s four-sided sail.
It’s fully-battened and has a sleeve luff that
slides over the mast – a bit like a windsurfer’s.WHAT’S THE RATIONALE?
Various considerations shaped the development
of the kit, says Mason.
“Kids getting into sailing invariably begin in
an Optimist – it’s a fantastic training vessel and
will continue to be. But kids become bigger and
heavier and quickly outgrow it, and for those
who advance and become competitive, the Opti’s
performance soon loses its lustre.
“Stats show that on average about 200
kids participate in our Optimist Nationals
every year, but only about 20 percent of those44 Boating New Zealand