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continue sailing. So it’s not a great retention story- something’s wrong.
“I think there are two main issues: loneliness
and cost. Sitting alone in a boat for hours on end
isn’t much fun for a kid. Many want to participate
in an activity they can do with their friends. The
Opti’s a one-man boat so it can be quite solitary.
This modification not only allows bigger, heavier
kids to continue sailing as they grow, but it’s also
perfect for two-up sailing.
“Secondly, for kids that become serious about
competitive sailing, the step up to the next class
of dinghy is prohibitive – anything from $5,000 to
$10,000. That’s a lot of money for many families.
I believe the O-Pro fills the gap. The modification
kit is a relatively inexpensive outlay – around
$1,500 – and immediately offers bored sailors a
more dynamic, performance-orientated boat. It’s
an affordable solution.”
New Zealand’s Chris Steele – winner of the
2007 Optimist Worlds – says the O-Pro is a
promising, enormously exciting concept that offers
a solution to many of the limitations inherent in
the traditional Opti.
“Apart from offering developing sailors a more
exciting experience, I’m sure it would appeal to
many clubs because it effectively creates two
classes with one boat. The traditional Opti will
remain the go-to boat for learners, but an existing
fleet of Optis can be transformed in minutes
for more experienced sailors looking for more
performance – for very little capital outlay.
“Consider that these appendages are stowed in
the boat’s cockpit, so clubs wouldn’t have to find
additional or larger lockers.”
Twelve-year old Tom Darbey has been sailing
Optis for two-and-a-half years at Wakatere, and
says the O-Pro is definitely more of a handful but
also much more exciting.
“It’s a lot quicker and drier, but you have to be
careful when gybing. It’s easy to attach the bow
section, and in some ways the sail is easier to rig
than the Opti’s. I really like it.”
ABOVE The clip-on bow
and bigger sail provide a
dynamic performance.
FAR LEFT The bow can be
fitted by the young sailors
themselves.
LEFT A few more
adjustments are offered
with the new sail, so it’s
easily tweaked for optimum
shape; the O-Pro uses the
standard rudder.Consider that these
appendages are
stowed in the boat’s
cockpit, so clubs
wouldn’t have to
find additional or
larger lockers.