O'Pen Bic

Originally posted by laser4000 does she like to race it? If she does then stick with the oppy!!

She's not that fussed on racing at the moment - prefers to have fun. That
said, I guess an Open could race in a handicap fleet?

Sorry to drag up this old thread.

My daughter's Oppy is old and dated so it's time to replace it. However, I
have a nagging feeling that something like the Open Bic would be more
fun to sail and own, not to mention cheaper.

There is something about Oppies that I find naff. I wouldn't sail an adult
boat with the same characteristics. No self-draining, a gaff rig, and you
have to sit right on the transom when going downwind to stop them
swamping - once the kids move onto another boat, they then have to
learn NOT to sit behind the tiller...

So, has anyone had any experience with Opens or Teras?

Thanks

Phil

Our training principal at bbsc has stated many a time he would be MORE than happy to destroy all the oppis at club as they are crap for training lol
He despises them and i hate having to empty them at the end of the day

Originally posted by CT249 The idea that capsizing should be made more of a hassle so kids learn not to do it is outdated, silly and dangerous.

We had one kid who capsised an Opti on one of our sailing courses, put him back about 3 days training as he was convinced that they would sink and take him with it.  Try convincing a 7 year old otherwise!!

We've moved to Optis from Sabots as our club trainers. I used to think the Opti was a horrible little boat until I saw how easy they were to store, rig and sail, and how much fun the kids have.

Until they capsize......

Some of our beginner's prams here have been modified to have self-draining cockpits. It's not always easy but surely the Opti could have a look at shifting to it. You can even retro-fit the false floor in one class.

The idea that capsizing should be made more of a hassle so kids learn not to do it is outdated, silly and dangerous.