New Olympic events.

Originally posted by By The Lee Originally posted by iGRF Sophisticated? I don't think that's an adjective I'd use. I had a look at a few pictures and can see various different cuts, but to me the overiding factor is more likely which tack you set that sticky up pole batten thing, go off the start line with that on the wrong side aint going to help I bet. You mean the sprit.... It is always rigged on starboard because guess what thats the tack you start on! Modern sprits are flexible enough not to touch the sail on either tack

Is it? That would make sense I guess to keep a sense of one design about them, but I swore I saw a picture of a mixed start line and the NZ guy had his on the opposite side to the rest of them, damned if I can find it now. Is it possible to rig either side? Would make sense if your kid was goofy to rig accordingly there can be no doubt it'll be sided, lots of sails are wether you want them to be or not and those oppi sails definitely fit the bill to be better on one tack than the other.

Edited by iGRF - 27 Oct 18 at 10:25am

Depends I guess on how the sticky up sprite thing is attached at the mast and wether the whole thing can be swiveled to rig it on port, I'd certainly consider which side to rig it depending on the course, I have an issue with a Gnav that winds me up deciding which side to pull the sail down, then our courses always tend to be heavy on one tack and it's always the wrong one that I forget to rig for in my snr moments.

Well for most folk it must be set up for their weakest tack no?

It'll be great for goofy kids, I wonder has anyone checked if a higher proportion of goofy kids win Oppi races.

Originally posted by iGRF Originally posted by GML There are plenty of cheaper ways than buying a new Optimist to get onto the RYA junior pathway. You can for example buy a competitive second-hand Topper for less than £1000, and entry level boats for even less than that. There are already three competing single-handed RYA junior pathway boats in the UK - Optimist, Topper and Tera Sport - not to mention the Cadet and Feva double-handers. Do we really need yet another one?!?! By the sound of it, then no, so why does anyone in their right mind force their kid into that extortionately priced sailing box then and Craiggo's right a sail cut in a hunk of junk like that isn't going to be worth one duff shift or crap start.

Probably because it is the safest and easiest high form stability boat you can put a 5-8 year old in without scaring them sh*tless. By all means you can talk toppers or any other rival but only above 8 for a boisterous kid and 10 for a timid kid. Boxes with high form stability and short masts are a pretty good combination when you don't have a clue what you are doing.

If you want to talk other classes once competent then maybe you have a point but all other options when taken over the life cycle of owning and selling the boat are all similar.

You could not make this stuff up ...