Multiple licensed builders (McLaughlin, Winner, Ovington, etc.) · Introduced 1947
Optimist
Designed by Clark Mills
About
The Optimist is the world's primary youth sailing dinghy — virtually every Olympic and America's Cup sailor learned in one. A pram-bowed, sprit-rigged singlehander for kids up to about age 15, sailed and raced in more than 120 countries with an extremely active international class. Cheap, indestructible, and the proven path into the sport.