Where can I purchase a set of blades?
 We offer a complete selection of blades in our online
store. If you are still unsure about which blade set is right for your
sailor, please do not hesitate to give us a call anytime. 800-784-6478.
We would be happy to help answer any of your questions and take your
order over the phone.
What should I be looking for when I buy blades?
There are basically four properties which define a good set of
blades, straightness, fairness,
stiffness and shape. Here's a
brief description of each, and what you should expect to see in
different price brackets.
Straightness is most important in the
daggerboard and can be tested by sighting down each of the long
edges. Because it is so technically difficult and labor
intensive, only the most expensive daggerboards will be perfectly
straight, most will have minor waves or a slight hook to one
side, on the order of 2-5mm.
McLaughlin standard race blades were used on the winning Opti at the World Championships, The U S National Championships and the North American Championships. Shown is a very proud Mehmed Music who builds blades for McLaughlin, holding the 2004 World winning blades.
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Fairness refers to how smooth the surface of
the foil is. The more expensive the blade, the more perfect you
may expect the surface to be.
Stiffness is most important in the
daggerboard. Stiffness is mainly controlled by the materials used in the manufacturing
process. Foils made of epoxy resin are the stiffest blades on the
market. Generally, stiffer is better, and stiffer is more
expensive. Beware that lightweight sailors, sailors under 65 or
75 lbs, often have have trouble depowering the boat in heavy
winds, an ultra stiff daggerboard will exaggerate this problem.
In such cases, you may be better off with a less expensive blade
as long as you pick a fair and straight daggerboard.
Shape is really only an option in the rudder
and it has a great deal to do with personal preference and
sailing style. If you're not sure, it's a good idea to give us a
call and talk to us about it, or have a little chat with your
coach. Don't be afraid to mix and match rudders and dagger boards. It's all about finding the right combination for
you.
Why do some blades cost so much more than
others, and what do I need?
All of the properties of a good blade that were discussed
above require a very high degree of technical skill and labor to
achieve. Also, materials that are light, strong and resilient to
warping are very expensive. What you are paying for is perfection
in each of those areas. Generally, the more you are willing to
spend, the closer you will come to the perfect blade. But here's
some advice from those who know:
First, You're better
off with bad blades in great condition than great blades in bad condition. If you don't buy a blade bag
to carry and protect an expensive racing blade set, then don't
bother buying the blades. Taking care of your equipment makes you
tons faster on the water and it will save you
lots and lots of money. Blade bags, bottom covers and dollies all pay
for themselves in one or two seasons.
Second, sometimes the qualities of the blades which we pay
for, are not what we want. As with spars, generally, stiffer
blades are better. But this is not always the case. Often coaches will have very light sailors raise their daggerboard about a
hand's width upwind in heavy air. Doing so helps depower the
boat, keeping it sailing flat and efficiently. If you're a light
sailor, you may be better off with a slightly flexible daggerboard
for that very reason. The bonus is that in light and medium
winds, stiffness isn't a factor, then in heavy winds you
get the benefits of having the entire foil in the water in the
lulls. In the puffs, the board will bend slightly, depowering
your boat and making you more efficient. It's a win/win
situation, and it costs less. Plus, when you're a hulking red
fleeter and you have to buy stiffer blades, they will be brand
new when you've got your best chance at doing some serious trophy
damage.
 These Optimist blades define 'state of the art'. Not only are they the stiffest Optimist foils available, but they are the best looking and undoubtedly the most durable. With the furniture quality beauty of the legendary E&V Blades, the N1 Foils share the same race proven shape and have
an integrated carbon fiber tube tiller. MPAT monocoque construction insures no separation and no warping. Built in Spain, they start with a high-density foam core for an ultra high strength to weight ratio. A paper-thin veneer of wood for beauty covers the core. This is then wrapped with a proprietary
glassfiber and injected under high pressure with epoxy resin in polished metal molds.
 The
leader in Optimist foils for over 20 years, Tebfoils have been winning
race after race in competitions throughout the world. Made partly by
computer-controlled machines and the finest craftsmen, each blade is
guaranteed to be superior in quality. These blades have a core of strong
western red cedar wood, reinforced by fiberglass and epoxy to
create optimal strength and rigidity. This means absolutely minimal
lateral movement and maximum lift. Tebfoils are available with two
rudder styles. The all-round shape is the best and most durable rudder
for all types of weather and sailors. The low pressure rudder is for
technically more advanced sailors performing with great technique and
trimming skills. An excellent rudder for increased wind speeds.
Our competition blade set is constructed of fiberglass and polyester
resin with a high density foam core. This makes the blade set light,
durable and stiff. It is an ideal choice for sailors at he regional to
national level, and any sailor under 90 lbs. in weight. The
elliptical rudder is designed to take the most advantage of the rules
governing shape. The daggerboard is laid up with .75 oz. cloth, then
stiffened with longitudinal strips of 1.5 oz. unidirectional cloth, it's
light and super stiff. The set is complete with Optiparts
hardware, a black anodized aluminum tiller, and a deluxe tiller
extension.
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