Opti
What is an Optimist?
- Also called an Opti or IOD – Short for International Optimist Dinghy
- a flat-bottomed, hard-chine, pram-bow dinghy with a spritsail” (The Book of Small Craft)
- “a bathtub that breeds the best sailors”
- 7′ 6 ½” long, 3′ 8″ wide. Weight 77lbs
- Easily transported on top of any car.
- Safe and simple enough for an 7-year old
- Exciting and technical enough for a 15-year old
Why the Optimist?
- Optimists are designed for kids. Kids can handle them without danger, fear or back-strain
- The Opti is a boat that can teach fundamentals to beginners and advanced strategy to racers.
- Single-handed is a great way to learn. They didn’t learn to ride a bike on a tandem
- Sailed by over 150,000 kids in over 100 countries. “The worlds most popular boat”
- Former Optimist sailors were over 50% of the sailing competitors at the last Olympics
- The Okauchee Lake Sailing School owns 7 Optimists. Rental is free in apprentice classes, and a small charge for more advanced classes.
X Boat
What is a Class X boat?
- “pointed bow, two person boat – built like a tank – which breeds great sailors”
- “a stable boat – forgiving for the beginner, but skills learned transfer to any boat”
- 16″ long, 7 wide. Weight 470 lbs
- Easily transported on a trailer. Typically stored on a trailer or a boat lift.
- To compete, you must be under 16, but boat is large enough to be a great family day sailor.
Why the Class X boat?
- “wildly popular in SE Wisconsin, with many local competitions – which breed social opportunities”
- Great local, large scale regattas available
- Two person (skipper and crew) builds teamwork and friendships
- Great competition (and social interaction) available right on Okauchee Lake
- Fleets on Okauchee, North, Pine, la Belle, Pewaukee, Nagawicka, etc.
- Many former Class X sailors compete at HS national, collegiate national and Olympic levels
- The Okauchee Lake Sailing School owns 2 Class X boats available as scholarship or low rental fee.
420
What is a 420?
- A highly maneuverable 2 person boat that develops boat handling, rule tactics and fast tempo race strategies.
- “pointed bow, two person boat with 2 sails”
- 14′ long, 5′ wide. Weight 150lbs
- Easily transported on a trailer. Typically stored on a ramp or a small dolly. Launches by hand.
Why the 420?
- The 420 teaches the essence in specialized skipper and crew movements that apply to all other boat classes.
- The 420, in club application, teaches the concepts od using a spinnaker and trapeze.
- The boat of choice for high school sailing (more than 500 high schools nationwide)
- The boat of choice for collegiate sailing (more than 100 universities nationwide)
- the two person team (skipper and crew) builds teamwork and friendships
- High school teams active at Oconomowoc, Arrowhead, Kettle Moraine and other Milwaukee area schools
- The Okauchee Lake Sailing School owns 7 420’s. Boat rental built into tuition.