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| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Length: | 7ft 7in |
| Beam: | 3ft 7in |
| Weight: | 77lbs |
| Sail Area: | 35sq ft |
| Designer: | Clarke Mills |
| Year: | 1947 |
Optimists
A floating soapbox car, the Optimist was originally designed as a project to help get kids off the street, and onto the water. Commissioned by a local civic group in Clearwater Florida, Optimists International, boat designer Clark Mills created the Optimist Dinghy. This 7ft7in pram was build from a single 8ft sheet of plywood.
The Optimist was one of the first boats that children could sail entirely on their own. Many Olympic sailors began their training in an Optimist. Today, it is has become the world standard for introducing young sailors to the sport.