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international optimist dinghy
Optimist Dinghy

When the Clearwater, Florida Optimist couldn't run the Soap Box Derby program because of the city's flat terrain, they looked for a sailing alternative. In 1947 Clark Mills designed the Optimist Pram—a home-built plywood dinghy that cost less than $50. It caught on quickly. In 1958, Axel Damgaard brought the trainer to Denmark where it was modified and renamed the International Optimist Dinghy. Today, this eight-foot, sprit-rigged boat is the only international Sailing Federation approved dinghy for sailors under 16 years of age.

Harken part numbers link to Harken on-line store.

Optimist - side view Harken: Stand-Up Boot Harken: 57mm Carbo Ratchamatic Harken: 40mm Carbo Fixed Head Stand-Up Harken: 40mm Ti-Lite Harken: Micro Single Harken: Opti Hook-in Block

Carbo Ratchamatic® Mainsheet Block
Automatically shifts from light air to ratchet mode Engagement adjusts to suit weight and sailing style. Fast Release!

Ti-Lite Block
Reeve Spectra® line through a snap clip to attach this trick block to the bridle. Use the same line to form a becket on which to deadend the mainsheet.

hook-in halyard block
Features stainless sideplates and balls and is a gotta-have for fine-tuning your halyard under load.