opti sailboat drawing

Optimist Sailboat Build

Introduction: Optimist Sailboat Build

Building the Wood/Epoxy Optimist In 1947 a gentleman named Clark Mills designed a small sail boat for kids to learn to build and sail called the Optimist.  This boat was designed to be built from 3 sheets of plywood, with basic woodworking abilities.  As time progressed, builders began to modify the boats to gain speed advantages - as happens with all vehicles. In 1995 the International Optimist Association took the boat back to its roots and a set of dimensions were compiled to retain an exact shape of the boat, so as to remove design advantages from one boat to another.  The Optimist is tightly controlled now with over 60 measurements and tolerances of the hull are generally +/- 5 mm.  The tolerances do not allow the builder to exploit the possible variations of shape of the hull, but do allow a competent builder to construct a legal racing hull.  Half Moon Bay Yacht Club has a summer youth sailing camp.  Through the years we have trained many a young boy or girl to rig and sail the small boats available to us.  Normally in an older Laser or Coronado 15.  In 2011, the sailing program decided that the Optimist had a place in our sailing fleet to allow the younger kids (7-15) to rig, launch, sail and retrieve the boats themselves while under adult supervision.  We set about looking at the building of wood/epoxy Optimist sailing boats.  We quickly focused on making racing legal hulls so as to be competitive with other surrounding sailing clubs.  This is where the accuracy and repeatability of the ShopBot CNC router at TechShop of  Menlo Park www.techshop.ws became an invaluable tool in our fleet building.  I made it at TechShop.  Due to the close tolerances allowed, and the desire to have an almost identical fleet of boats, the ShopBot  fit the bill to the letter.  Once I redrew the plans into CAD drawings and transferred to cut files the different parts of the boats were identical.  Each group of people that wanted to build a boat only had small amounts of fitting, beveling and gluing to accomplish, with very little use of dangerous equipment needed and quick progress to show for their efforts, so kids fit right into the task of building boats.

Attachments

The jig produced on the ShopBot retains the correct shape and supports the boat, while it is being built, to retain the exact design measurements. The plans for the boat can be found from many sources for free on the internet.   Plans are available in many languages, as well.  One such source is http://www.optiworld.org/Woodguide05.pdf Another guide to building an optimist is http://www.burcotboats.co.uk/howToBuild.pdf , as well as half a dozen other well written articles on the internet. But none provide CAD quality drawings or files to work with modern computer controlled machine tooling. Well, here they are:  The jig as well as the major parts of the boat.     The jig sides , mast step, rudder, dagger board , dagger board case ends and doubler pieces are made from 18mm or 3/4" ACX or marine grade plywood; (1219.2mm x 2438.4mm) 48" x 96".

Now to get started, the jig we have designed is the exact dimensions of a finished hull shape. Both ends of the jig have interlocking pieces to allow for inserting and removing as needed during the building of the boat. The cross members are standard 2" x 4" cut to 44" long and with a 3/4" dado 8" to each side of center to fit into the grooves of the forms. These should be cut so as to be flush with the top of the form and screwed into place to prevent movement. The bottom boards provide a stable platform for the jig to sit on. The jig should be placed on a flat surface for the build, as distortion to the jig will transfer to the boat being built. Save the scraps for blocking.

The file for the hull bottom, midship frame, dagger board case sides and corner braces are cut from one 4' x 8' sheet (1219.2mm x 2438.4mm) of 12mm Marine grade plywood  If you save your larger scraps for doubling plates and gunwale rails, you will have very little waste.  The first cuts should be for the 6mm deep dado at both ends of the hull to join the bow and transoms to.   The second cut should be for the dagger board trunk cut out.  The third cut should be the outline of all the pieces.  In order to fit both sides of the dagger board trunk on one sheet, one side will have a joint to be epoxied together to match the other side.

The next setup  should be for 6mm plywood.  Again a 4' x 8' sheet will make both ends, both sides, mast thwart frame and again scraps can be used for doublers and clamping pads. You now have a boat cut and ready for a little fitting.  Bevel the edges of the bottom to the approximate angles of 15 degrees with a block plane and you are ready to start your build.  I would recommend a dry fit of all parts prior to mixing epoxy.  This doesn't take long and may save you a lot of trouble with messy epoxy. 

Center the bottom in the jig, stand on it to bow it and hold it down, and temporarily screw it to the 2" x 4" 's 130mm each side of center line to allow for gluing of the doublers without covering the screws, so they can be removed later.  The holes will be filled in when the boat is removed from the jig with epoxy.  Rip a 4' x 8' sheet of 4mm plywood into 1- 240mm strip and 2-80mm strips with a 45 degree beveled edge.  This can be done on the ShopBot or a table saw.  These are the doublers for the bottom to meet design minimum thickness while saving weight.  Once these are epoxied into place and trimmed you are ready to install the sides, mid ship frame, bow and transom.  The mid ship bulkhead can be used to position the strips in the correct place on the bottom of the hull.  Once these are epoxied in position, placing some weights on top, until cured, works well.  You will be covering the dagger board slot, but that can be easily cut out once the hull is removed from the jig and turned upside down for fitting the dagger board trunk and filling of screw holes.

The plans show two temporary braces.  These can be made from any scrap plywood and are used to hold the proper shape of the sides while doing the assembly and glue up.  Once the gunwale rails are installed these will be removed and discarded.  The bow and transom fit into the dado at the front and rear of the hull bottom panel.  The sides wrap around the outsides.  A couple small blocks of wood screwed onto the jig at the bow and stern help in keeping the sides in position while clamps are applied.   A small slot cut into the two forward jig pieces to allow a small bar clamp of your choice works well to hold the two sides together tightly.  Once you are comfortable with the fit of all the parts your ready to mix epoxy.  Wet out each side with unthickened  epoxy.  Then add a small layer of thickened epoxy and assemble with the temporary braces and mid ship brace installed.  Next is the mast deck and thwart.   Fit and epoxy in place.  Some of the scraps of 18mm can be used for the doubler in these areas.  You can install the bow and transom doubler before or after this step.

Gunwale rails and rub rails are next.  You can use layers of plywood or fancy colorful woods if you plan to use a clear finish to show off your work.   Build up the layers until you get to the final thickness required, per the plans.   Rip 1 for each side of boat starting with a 45mm wide piece stepping down 5mm for each 10mm of thickness.  Cut out pockets for and install the corner blocks next.   Form and shape the rails to the required shape and thickness and you are ready to remove the boat from the Jig.  We used a hand planer for the rough shape and finished with a belt sander.  It will now hold its shape and dimensions.  The jig can be used as a cradle to support the boat as you work on it either upside down or right side up.

Once the boat is removed from the jig, it can be turned over and all joints filled with thickened epoxy.  Install the dagger board trunk through the hull and epoxy in place.  We choose to put our club logo and hull # on the sides of the dagger board trunk.  Once again the ShopBot makes this a blank canvas for your artistry.  Below one of the boys is rounding the edges before the dagger board trunk is installed.  Shape the bottom of the dagger board trunk  to conform to the hull bottom from the outside once it is cured in place.  Install the doubler pieces on the inside to help support the dagger board trunk.  We installed a few wood dowels into the midship frame to add strength as well.   Sand, epoxy and finish the exterior of the hull as desired, with either paint or a clear finish.  On the inside of the hull fillet the joints with thickened epoxy.  Install the flotation attachment pads, and main sheet block pad.  Sand, epoxy and finish the interior of the boat as desired and the hull portion of your sail boat is ready for hardware installation.  We chose white enamel for the insides for a cleaner look.  You will also find the plans from one of the internet sites below.  Download these and print copies to have available as you work. 

To build a race legal hull requires a measurement by a certified Optimist qualified measure person.  Plan on 4 hours or more for this process.  The PDF file is the list of measurements for the hull.  The tolerances are close, but with the use of the CNC controlled cutting you should have a race legal hull that your kids can be fully involved in the building of.  The dagger board piece and rudder that was cut will need to be shaped and profiled.  Again we used a plane for the rough shape, followed by the belt sander.  Hardware kits are available online as well as sails, spars, FRP rudders and dagger boards at very reasonable prices.  One such site is : http://www.mauriprosailing.com/Optiparts-Optimist/Optiparts-Optimist.htm?gclid=CKHtt7O1t64CFQ9-hwodHBRhrA

Sail Plan The sail can be home-made, as well, but with mass production the prices just are hard to beat.  Again the spars can be made from PVC pipe, Wood or Aluminum tubing, but most can be purchased for a cheaper price than your time and investment.   You probably won't need the hottest racing level gear until you see if your kids are in for it.  Then watch out if they catch the bug!  You will be one proud parent to have started them out on such a great and rewarding life of sailing. http://www.mauriprosailing.com/Optiparts-Optimist/Optiparts-Optimist.htm?gclid=CKHtt7O1t64CFQ9-hwodHBRhrA

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The CABBS Optimist Pram

captain Published October 23, 2016 · Updated January 4, 2024

The CABBS Optimist is a perfect introduction to both boatbuilding and sailing.

It is a great adult/child project that will create lifetime memories. The CABBS boat is plywood on frame construction and assembled with construction adhesive and screws. Simple and quick to build with common hand tools, it can be crafted in 40 – 60 hours. The boat weighs approximately 65 lbs.

The CABBS Optimist Plans

How to Order

Building a CABBS Optimist

Even more information

Want to learn more about building an Optimist? Here is a great site that compiles just about anything you wanted to know about building an Opti.

http://woodenoptimist.blogspot.com

Optimist Racing

Although the CABBS Optimist is true to Clark Mills’ objectives and fun to sail, it will not meet the measurement requirements for sanctioned racing competition under the International Optimist Association.

• Next story  CABBS at the 2017 Cleveland Mid-America Boat Show
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Meet the Optimist Dinghy

December 4, 2013 by Sail1Design Editor Leave a Comment

by Airwaves writer Emma White

The optimist, originally designed by Clark Mills in 1947, became a registered One-Design boat in 1995; after a few modifications. It is roughly 8 feet long, precisely 3 feet and eight inches wide, and weighs approximately 77 pounds. Although, many describe this boat as a floating bathtub, it does not stop youth sailors from competing and having fun. Sailed internationally in more than 100 countries with approximately 200,000 sailors registered in optimists. Optimists are safe and are easy for kids to sail who want to hit the water and have some fun. Optimists are also sailed competitively. Whether it be state, national, or even international competitions, opti sailors enjoy the thrill of racing this boat. Sailors learn invaluable skills from high-level coaches, make life-long friends, and learn skills that increase independence through various clinics and regattas offered to them.

Optimist sailors range from the age of 10 to15 years old. They are eligible to compete in national and international events. These sailors represent the ‘red’, ‘white’, and ‘blue’ fleets. The divisions further separate the sailors by age. Sailors aged10 are placed into White fleet, followed by sailors aging between 11-12 wh o are in Blue fleet, and finally sailors aging between 13-15 who are in Red fleet. Although, the fleets divided the age group of 10-15, they all compete with one another on the starting line and in the race course. Results of regattas are delineated by “fleet” and the top female competitor is usually recognized. The use of fleets is just one way to identify each racer.  Racing is available to sailors younger than 10 years of age and this group of sailors is referred to as “green fleet”. National and local events are organized for these eager, opti-enthusiasts as well, allowing them to get a head start on opti competition before they join the older sailors.

A wide age range of opti sailors also translates into a broad weight range of the junior sailors. A study of the 2011 Optimist Worlds (a competition among the most skilled opti sailors in the world) which was held in New Zealand, pinpoints the range and average weight of the top ten optimist sailors of the regatta. The average size of the finishers were 110 pounds, with a range of 30 pounds. This means that optis are for sailors of all sizes, and it also means, contrary to popular belief, optimists are not boats that sailors outgrow at the age 13.

Many of opti sailors have aspirations of competing at the Olympic level. In fact, nearly 50 percent of the United States Sailing Team are previous opti sailors. Optimists are provide a strong sailing foundation, fun and they are competitive.

            Rigging Information:

–   One hull

$1 –   Fiberglass

–   One sail

$1 –   The sail is held up with a sprit and two battens

$1 –   Sail-ties connect the sail to the boom and mast

$1 –   To adjust sail shape, change the sprit, vang, and outhaul tension

–   Use a rudder and centerboard

Thank you to the following sources for making this article possible:

http://www.optiworld.org

https://sites.google.com/site/optiracingusscmc/faqs

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Optimist_(dinghy )

http://pix.daveheinphotography.com/Boats

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Hatteras Sailing

encouraging youth sailing and competitive opportunities

Opti Boat Parts and Terminology

For our youth to understand anything the coaches are saying on the water, they need to understand what the parts of the boat are named. Sailing has its own language and terminology for really good reasons… so instead of our coaches blasting on the megaphone across the water on a windy day, “Pull the string thingy under the horizontal metal thing”, it is much more succinct for them to instruct, “Sheet In”. Our basic learning boat is the Optimist. Please study the parts of the boat and their names or labels…. for fun this diagram is multilingual!

• Hull Sides – Bow, Stern, Starboard and Port Sides
• Mast, Boom and Sprit are all Spars
• Rudder, Tiller and Tiller Extension Steer the Boat. The rudder can also be used to slow down the boat. The person steering is called the helmsman.
• Centerboard of Daggerboard helps the hull not slip sideways over the water
• Sails power the sailboat and make it move forward. The better the sails are trimmed, the faster your boat can sail, so understanding how the sail controls work and what to look for in your sail shape is extremely important on sailboats.

Here is a link to a video of an instructor explaining the parts of the Optimist Sailboat! – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHhXD5jKL3w

Another good video on how to rig the Optimist Sail, Mast and Boom. – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BOPTCXSuevY

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The Optimist dinghy is the world’s most popular sailboat for children. North Sails offers multiple sail designs to match your sailor's weight and wind conditions. North has two styles of optimist sails. The Crossover Mainsail is an entry-level sail designed for beginners. This mainsail will carry beginners from their first days on the water through their first season of comeptitve racing.

OPTIMIST SAILS

All-Purpose (Below 38kg)

All-Purpose (38-42kg)

All-Purpose (42-46kg)

All-Purpose (46+ kg)

Entry level sailors

SPEED GUIDE

Tuning guide, optimist experts, kei takakuwa, andrew wills.

NEW ZEALAND

RICCARDO DE FELICE

Kicker schäfer.

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Opti Racing Explained

Getting started.

​ Opti Green Fleet is a great entry level experience for novice racers. When is a sailor ready for Green Fleet? Generally if they can get around two buoys with minimal assistance they're ready for Green Fleet. 

All  Northwest Youth Racing Circuit events include an Opti Green Fleet, with the exception of the WIND Regatta. Green Fleet racing often takes place on a separate race course that is smaller and more protected. Green fleet usually enjoys a shorter day on the water and/or a lunch break mid way through racing. Coaching is permitted during racing for the back half of the fleet, and coaches are encouraged to coach everyone, not just their sailors. Many regatta hosts provide Optis free of charge, and/or offer a reduced entry fee for Green Fleet sailors. At some regattas it can be as easy as just showing up with a lifejacket and positive attitude! 

There are no prizes or trophies for Green Fleet, instead sailors are given participation awards. Most Green Fleet sailors are between the ages 7-10. The only age restriction is that sailors must be younger than 15. Sailors generally do Green Fleet for one year, or until they are near the top of the fleet, before moving up to Championship Fleet. Switching back and forth between Green Fleet and Championship Fleet is discouraged. Click here to read the USODA Green Fleet Policy Statement .

In addition to the NWYRC Green Fleet events, there are other local green fleet style events to attend. The Milfoil Dodger series is popular among Seattle area sailing programs. They are casual one day regattas with an emphasis on fun and learning. Many novice racers will participate in both the Milfoils and Green Fleet at the NWYRC regattas. Milfoils are a great way to gain confidence and experience. The Milfoil Dodger Calendar is below...

Championship Fleet

When sailors are ready to move out of Green Fleet they move into the  "Opti Championship Fleet." T o make Optimist racing in the United States as fair as possible, the class puts each skipper into an age group or fleet.  White Fleet is for skippers who are ages 10 and under. Blue Fleet is for skippers who are 11 or 12. Red Fleet is for skippers who are 13-15. At  Northwest Youth Racing Circuit  regattas white, blue, and red fleets are combined. However, overall series results are broken down into age groups. At the end of the summer the NWYRC recognizes the top finishers in each age group, plus an overall series champion.

"Aging Out" or "Sizing Out?"

On their 16th birthday sailors "age out" of the Optimist and are no longer allowed to compete in the class. However, most sailors "size out" before they "age out." Sailors will start to outgrow the Opti around 110lbs. For some sailors this happens sooner than others. Those who are very competitive may stick it out until they are 115lbs, but being competitive becomes increasingly difficult once you exceed this weight. My advice is to stay in the Opti as long as you are still having fun and feeling competitive. It's no fun to be the biggest sailor and get passed by everyone in light or medium wind. Before that happens, start thinking about what's next. Maybe that's the Laser with a smaller 4.7 rig or sailing an FJ with a friend. 

Class Association

The United States Optimist Dinghy Association oversees Opti racing here in the US. The USODA is in charge of enforcing class rules, overseeing national/qualifying regattas, and selecting the US National Team. The USODA adheres to the rules and guidelines set forth by the International Optimist Dinghy Association . Opti sailors are strongly encouraged to join the USODA. Although USODA membership is not required for NWYRC events, it is required for championships, qualifiers, and team-trials. Membership is also a good way to support the class that supports you! On the USODA website you'll find lots of great resources!

The US National Team

The US National Team is run by the USODA. The purpose of the USNT is to improve the level of Optimist sailing in the United States, by providing high level training to top US Optimist sailors who compete internationally. The team receives the best coaching available and practices against the best sailors in the country. The team also tries to improve the fitness of sailors. It is funded by parents of participating sailors and does not impact the USODA budget. A sailor must first qualify for Team Trials by finishing in the top 20% of the USODA NW Championships or one of the country's other regional Opti championships. Team trials is arguably the most competitive Opti regatta in nation, since the best sailors from each region are all in attendance. The top forty-five (45) finishers at Team Trials are selected to the US National Team, which is an elite travel group that participates in international Opti regattas all over the globe.

For Parents

• Opti Parent Guide - Part 1
• Opti Parent Guide - Part 2
• ​ An Open Letter to Parents
• Opti Fiberglass/Gel Coat Repairs
• How to Transport an Opti