Hi all,
Is the optimist dingy designed to plane?
Yours curiously,
snapperfish.

Don't know but probably not, although it does foil!

Based on this video, I would say 'yes'. Despite the gutful of water this young bloke is carrying in the bilge, that's a pretty flat wake behind. Kudos.

I would have said no, but after watching the video, then yes. They are hard chined and relatively flat bottomed, so it seems they just need lots of wind and a young, talented skipper....

Some of my favourite Optimist photos.

Can plane, but not really designed with planing in mind, would be the best way i could put it.


love those extreme opti photos

That second photo is cool.

Who hasn't gone over the side as a kid and kept hold of the tiller extension or mainsheet?

Was ok in the Sabot, could be a bit more problematic off the yacht.

Not exactly planing! But this is the southernmost sailing school in the world. A very cold, calm Saturday afternoon in Puerto Williams, Isla Navarino, Chile. Minutes later the kids emerged with a young navy officer, and had the most fun I have ever seen in little boats, in spite of no wind.