Inner-city kids building Optis
Printed From: Yachts and Yachting Online
Category: Dinghy classes
Forum Name: Dinghy development
Forum Discription: The latest moves in the dinghy market
URL: http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=2830
Printed Date: 19 Aug 25 at 1:19am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.665y - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Inner-city kids building Optis
Posted By: Gulfcoastbreeze
Subject: Inner-city kids building Optis
Date Posted: 03 Apr 07 at 7:13pm
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There is a great account of a non-profit in New York City called Brooklyn Boatworks that teaches inner-city kids how to loft, build, and sail Optis http://www.classicyachtmag.com - here in the Winter issue of CY. What a fine idea!
GCB |
Replies:
Posted By: Gulfcoastbreeze
Date Posted: 04 Apr 07 at 7:13pm
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Does anyone know of a program like this in the UK? I'd be interested in finding out.
GCB |
Posted By: NickA
Date Posted: 04 Apr 07 at 9:43pm
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Couldn't they teach them to make decent boats? ------------- Javelin 558 Contender 2574 |
Posted By: m_liddell
Date Posted: 04 Apr 07 at 11:34pm
An oppie is basically a glorified box. A swift solo or something is going to be quite a bit more challenging and needs more materiel/space. |
Posted By: Villan
Date Posted: 04 Apr 07 at 11:51pm
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And with the added material comes extra cost, plus the amount of time making it and the skill needed to sail it is enormous! Dont forget they are "Non Profit" so whatever they make has to be able to pay for itself, or cost very little ... £8000 ish ( If I am remembering correct ) is a LOT for a non profit organisation for inner city kids to pay out. When you first sailed, were you singlehanded, with the trapeze, in that much boat? I know you are meant to take people just out of their "comfort zone" when teaching them ... But that would be extreme! ------------- Vareo - 149 "Secrets" http://www.TandyUKServers.co.uk" rel="nofollow - TandyUK Servers |
Posted By: Gulfcoastbreeze
Date Posted: 05 Apr 07 at 8:54pm
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Yeah, these kids are about 10-12 years old. Excellent question, Villian. My first time on the water was in an aluminum jon boat at age three. Ya gotta walk before you can run...
GCB |
Posted By: NickA
Date Posted: 05 Apr 07 at 9:42pm
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Indeed oppies would be great if they'd stayed what they were supposed to be: cheap, simple, easy to sail, easy to make, basic boats for tots - to be quickly passed over in favour of a real boat once they'd learnt to sail. They were never supposed to be any good, just cheap and cheerful. Instead of which, due to the endless inpouring of lifeblood by various RYA type organisations, instead of having died a natural in favour of something better, the class is alive and well and a "competitive" new oppie costs £1700 (or more with the trimmings). Like em or not: under 14, want to race or get any training, ; gotta get an oppie. Don't want to knock these folk - but won't it be sad when they go out to race in their homemade boats and get beat by highly trained, 14yr old, richly parented brats sailing carbon. Swift solo ... erm evidently not. To be fair the optimist association recognise that things have gotten silly ( http://www.optiworld.org/ioda-technical.html#ccheap - http://www.optiworld.org/ioda-technical.html#ccheap ), but RS are still selling £1700 oppies! ------------- Javelin 558 Contender 2574 |
But something with a point at the front must surely be possible. 
Posted By: JimC
Date Posted: 05 Apr 07 at 10:09pm
| There's something slightly amusing about a page that lauds cheaper boats at the bottom but admonishes sailors not to buy cheap imitation Oppies at the top... |
Posted By: Gulfcoastbreeze
Date Posted: 06 Apr 07 at 9:05pm
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Here is a quote from page 39 of the winter '07 issue of Classic Yacht magazine online: "Interestingly, the original hulls were built in plywood, so we have official class plans, allowing these hulls to be measured and actively raced in the future." source: http://www.classicyachtmag.com - www.classicyachtmag.com NickA, it looks like these are original, and built by kids as intended.
GCB |
Posted By: Gulfcoastbreeze
Date Posted: 08 Apr 07 at 7:23pm
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Elaborate, please. |
Posted By: Matt Jackson
Date Posted: 10 Apr 07 at 5:03pm
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I do think it's a great idea but they could have found a bit of water with less green scum on it to take the publicity picture surely? ------------- Laser 203001, Harrier (H+) 36 |
Posted By: Gulfcoastbreeze
Date Posted: 11 Apr 07 at 1:11am
| Hah...well I guess that's Brooklyn for you. The kid in the Yankees hat sure looks like he's having fun, though, green scum and all. |
Posted By: Gulfcoastbreeze
Date Posted: 30 Apr 07 at 6:04pm
| Does anyone know if this is being done in the UK by anyone? Maybe in the Docklands? |