McLaughlin is the most technologically advanced Optimist in the world, specifically engineered for speed and a proven winner – our Optimist has never been beaten in World Championship competition.

Built right here in the United States, McLaughlin has earned a worldwide reputation for craftsmanship, speed and excellence. Don’t just take our word for it – you can find sailors in McLaughlin boats in Spain, New Zealand, China, Sweden, Australia, Greece, Netherlands, Korea, Ecuador, Peru, Turkey, Japan, Israel, Canada, Mexico, Columbia, Brazil, Bahamas, Bermuda and Australia, just to name a few.

So, we’ve told you where McLaughlin boats are raced, but now we want to tell you why they are raced, and why our Optimist has never been beaten in World Championship competition.

Below, you’ll find just some of the many reasons that McLaughlin is the best in the world.

• The McLaughlin mast step is the highest allowed, putting your sail higher in the air. With your sail high in the air, you will see a boost in power when you race.
• A stiff boat is a fast boat, and we craft the stiffest boats in the world.
• We provide peace-of-mind, guaranteeing our minimum weight.
• Sharpened aft transom/bottom edge releases water tension as it leaves the stern, resulting in decreased hull drag*.
• Due to its Teflon polished machine buffed bottom, a McLaughlin boat is fast, right out of the box. This also keeps the hull clean and impervious to contaminants in the water*.
• In order to keep the water flow uniform, from bow to stern,McLaughlin has installed low turbulence centerboard slots. The slot is reduced in size to the minimum limit through proprietary molded slot inserts*.
• Our State-of-the-Art vacuum bag process allows a further aft balance point and optimized bow weight. This facilitates the ability of the sailor to lift the bow through waves.
• Rigging that optimizes human performance such as: One handed dagger board height adjustment and racing non-skid applied to the areas that your feet land in a roll tack*.
• Double tapered mainsheet: easy on hands, moves freely in blocks, reduces the time to pull in mainsheet at mark rounds. Our custom spectra boom block extender allows the quick change of block ratios allowing either 3:1 or 2:1*.
• Mast cup position locking assures the mast will remain where you set it.
• Choice of pressure sensitive mainsheet blocks. This block runs freely in light air but helps reduce arm fatigue in heavy air*.
• Double padded outward lifted hiking straps are never upside down*.
• Mast lock along with bungee mast keeper for low friction and speed of assembly. It also gives you double protection in case of a capsize*.
• We will customize the boat to your specifications. Be it rigging or design we will build you the boat you want. Special blocks, metallic, clear transoms, custom colors. You want to try something new? We will accommodate you.

* Some of the above features are offered only on the Optisailors Pro Racer hull.