Dinghy development: Optimist versus Tera

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Optimist versus Tera

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=11633
Printed Date: 12 Jul 25 at 3:21am
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Topic: Optimist versus Tera

Posted By: johnreekie1980
Subject: Optimist versus Tera
Date Posted: 01 Sep 14 at 1:56pm

Just saw an article on a Tera event at Derwent with 103 boats competing. Is the Tera taking over from the Optimist in the UK and do parents now need to buy two boats to let their kids compete in a series if they are good enough to go to a world championship?

Whilst the Tera is a relatively modern looking dinghy it does not appear to be cheap at over £2000 and I am not even sure you get a trolley for that money. Why are all these parents choosing to go down this route with the likely outcome that we will have a reduced youth class at the under 15 category.

Replies:

Posted By: JimC
Date Posted: 01 Sep 14 at 2:09pm

Because they don't want to be labelled as Oppie parents?

Posted By: Dougal
Date Posted: 01 Sep 14 at 2:16pm

Having recently returned from the Oppie Nationals at Weymouth, I think the Teras still have a way to go before they start threatening the Oppies. 103 Tera's is a great turnout which many classes would be delighted with, but the Oppies still managed 470 boats with 19 countries represented.

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What could possibly go wrong?

Posted By: Dougal
Date Posted: 01 Sep 14 at 2:23pm

Originally posted by JimC

Because they don't want to be labelled as Oppie parents?

I've got to be honest, I was a bit worried about this whole 'Oppie Parent' thing before heading to Weymouth. In practice though my experiences were of an incredibly friendly and helpful bunch of people and I found the 'Oppie parent' thing to be a myth. No doubt there will be exceptions, but you get them in all classes (I have recent experiences of this elsewhere...). Personally, I had a really enjoyable week.

I would also add I thought the race management and shore management were exceptional, and the amount of effort put in by mainly/wholly(?) unpaid volunteers was great to see. The majority of days being sunny with winds between 10kts and 22kts also helped. The expression champagne sailing was used on more than one occasion!

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What could possibly go wrong?

Posted By: Medway Maniac
Date Posted: 01 Sep 14 at 2:41pm

I went to a talk by the designer a couple of years ago, and he said he felt the niche for the Tera was on account of the boxy, flat fronted look of the Oppi. Kids wanted a pointy bow and that's what he gave them. From the evidence, it seems he was right.

I can imagine that a top Oppi with all the best kit costs appreciably more than a Tera too? That might be another factor. There are second-hand Oppis, of course, but are they good enough for little Jonny?

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Posted By: Dougal
Date Posted: 01 Sep 14 at 2:45pm

I've heard others say the same thing i.e. the Tera looks like a proper boat.

Each to their own of course, my youngest wouldn't be seen dead in a Tera as he loves his Oppie (it was £1,200 second hand for a competitive boat inc. a sail that is ok, new fully spec'd Oppies are £3k - £3.5k I think).

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What could possibly go wrong?

Posted By: johnreekie1980
Date Posted: 01 Sep 14 at 3:48pm

Originally posted by JimC

Because they don't want to be labelled as Oppie parents?

Surely Tera Parents is a worse nickname. I am Terafied already pardon the pun.

Posted By: kevg
Date Posted: 01 Sep 14 at 3:50pm

I think the Tera is more a threat to the Topper 4.2 (and then the full sail Topper 5.3) than the Optimist.

Kevin

Posted By: winging it
Date Posted: 01 Sep 14 at 4:29pm

We have had a sudden outburst of oppies this year ar Hunts. Four out racing in the handicap fleet on Sunday, 10 + doing Boat Camp last week. I see no sign of an imminent Tera takeover.

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the same, but different...

Posted By: craiggo
Date Posted: 01 Sep 14 at 8:38pm

I'm taken by the Tera, just got to find out whether it will work in a tidal estuary where Toppers work well but Optimists are too slow. I have to say the Oppie parent stigma puts me off going that route!

Posted By: NickA
Date Posted: 02 Sep 14 at 6:40pm

Surely, let the kid(s) try both and see which they like best.

... whilst considering:

Oppies available cheap but they'll always be trailing the £3.5k ones

Oppies have great RYA support / traiining / zone squads etc etc

Anyone can make and supply parts for an oppie so you're not stuck with RS for everything

My kids hated oppies and wouldn't have been seen dead in one (slow flat fronted box with a rig off an 18th century fishing boat); but I've known other kids love theirs to bits.

Oppie parents no worse than Mirror parents and Feva parents ... anyone clogging up our club with camper vans, ribs, rangerovahs full of spares etc is a pain. But without such supportive and generous parents you're probably not going to make that zone squad!

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Javelin 558
Contender 2574

Posted By: getafix
Date Posted: 03 Sep 14 at 4:59pm

Great turn out for the Tera event, it was a lot of fun according to the Dad I know who went with his son. Don't miss-label Oppy parents, or Tera parents for that matter, as all being "pushy", there is a difference between "pushy" and "supportive". If you don't believe me, go to any other type of junior or youth sports event or game, you'll soon be able to spot the difference between the supportive majority and (usually) highly visible pushy minority.

As for taking over? IMPO, the Tera would need wider support outside of the UK first and that would probably mean RS agreeing some kind of rights-deal with a few other parties. It's a good building block but perhaps not the answer that other commercial rights holders (or potential ones) would be interested in signing up to as-is.

Posted By: Ian29937
Date Posted: 03 Sep 14 at 6:49pm

SMOD (£2K) vs one Design (£3K) The people will vote with their feet.

The Oppi is pretty entrenched so I can't see the Tera taking over, but with it's squads, good looks and pricing, the Tera is a viable alternative.

Posted By: RichTea
Date Posted: 03 Sep 14 at 7:04pm

Whatever boat they sail, providing they have fun and enjoy it, want to sail again, it doesnt matter what boat they choose. At least they have a choice! (small choice compared to adults)

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RS200