FAQ
We pride ourselves on our world-class results, American-made craftsmanship and good ole’ fashion customer service.
With that in mind, we want to help you with any questions you may have. Below you will find the answers to many of our most frequently asked questions, but we are always ready to answer any questions you may have about your specific situation! Simply email us at sales@optistuff.com or call 1 (800) 784-6478 and our team will help you in any way that we can.
Instructions
- Dolly Tire Repair Instructions (PDF format)
- Optimist Mast Step/Mast Collar Repair and Maintenance 101 (PDF format)
- Legal Centerboard Handle (PDF format)
- Bow Bumper Installation (PDF Format)
- Complete Glossary of Sailing Terms (PDF format)
- EX3018 Watch Instructions (PDF format)
- Gelcoat – Fiberglass Maintenance and Repair (PDF format)
- Epoxy Blade Repair (PDF format)
- Important Knots You Should Know (PDF format)
- How To Read a Compass (PDF format)
- Mast Safety Clamp System (PDF format)
- Optiparts Silver Mast tie on
sketch (PDF format) - Retro Fitting an old Optimist (PDF format)
- Rig Travel Bag (PDF format)
- Sail Numbering and Removal (PDF format)
- Simple Line Splicing (PDF format)
- How to tie a Brummel Splice (PDF format)
- Tie Sail to Mast Without top Plugs (PDF format)
- Preseason Boat Maintenance (PDF format)
- What Year is Your Boat? (PDF format)
Boat Speed, Tuning and Racing
- Mainsheet Systems – The Secret Weapon (PDF format)
- 2010 Optimist Pre-Race Checklist (PDF format)
- Self Safety Check List for Boat Compliance (PDF format)
- Flying Equipment to Regattas (PDF format)
- Sailing In Heavy Air (PDF format)
- Quantum Opti Tuning Guide (PDF format)
- Quantum Radial Tuning Guide (DOC Format)
- Quantum TR-1 Tuning Guide (JPG format)
- Over the Starting Line Early (PDF format)
- North Sails Tuning guide (PDF format)
Equipment Comparisons
- Olimpic (PDF format)
- All About Spars (DOC format)
- Boat Package Comparisons (PDF format)
- Guide to Blades and Foils (PDF format)
- Guide to Sails (PDF format)
- Guide to Spars (PDF format)
Why Kids Don’t Want to Sail
(How to keep kids in sailing and make it fun)
A two-part article reprinted with the permission of Southwinds and the author, Jabbo Gordon.
Articles and Literature
- Origin of the Optimist Dinghy (PDF format)
- Chartering 1-2-3 (PDF format)
- Hiking Bench (PDF format)
- Race 1 Setting a Race Course (PDF format)
- Race 2 Start Sequence (PDF format)
- Race 3 Postponement Flags NEW (PDF format)
- Recycling Your Used Opti (PDF format)
- You’re Just Full of Hot Air! (PDF format)
- Drying Sailing Gear (PDF format)
Newsletter Archives
- Recent Newsletters
- September 2012 (PDF format)
- Winter 2008
- Fall 2008 (PDF format)
- June 2008 (PDF format)
- Spring 2008 (PDF format)
- November 2007 (PDF format)
- Fall 2007 (PDF format)
- June 2007 (PDF format)
- Spring 2007 (PDF format)
- November 2006 (PDF format)
- September 2006 (PDF format)
- June 2006 (PDF format)
- Spring 2006 (PDF format)
- December 2005 (PDF format)
- August 2005 (PDF format)
- May 2005 (PDF format)
- March 2005 (PDF format)
Andersen Bailers
- Andersen Bailer Repair (PDF format)
- Andersen Bailer Gasket Guide (PDF format)
Owners Manual & Boat Registration
- New Boat Registration Form (PDF format)
- Pro Racer Specification Sheet(PDF format)
- SailCube Rigging Manual (PDF format)
- Standard Optimist Owner’s Manual (PDF format)
- Oppi Owner’s Manual (PDF format)
- Basic Optimist Rigging (PDF format)
- Optimist Rigging & Tuning Guide (PDF format)
Optimist Transportation and Storage
- Transporting an Optimist (PDF format)
- Boat Tie down and protection (PDF format)
- Building an Optimist Trailer (PDF format)
- Optimist Towing, Boat Storage, and Launch (PDF format)
Parenting / Coaching / Program Articles
- Letter to Sailing Parents by W. Goldsmith (PDF format)
- Teach Sailing The Fun Way Activity Guide (PDF format)
- Safety Scavenger Hunt Contest (PDF format)
- Simple Racing Rules For Green Fleet (PDF format)
- Starting Basics For Green Fleet (PDF format)
- Basic Starting Instructions for Green Fleet (PDF format)
- Benefits of Optimist For Your Child (Bad Dad) (PDF format)
- Coaches Letter to Parents First Day (PDF format)
- Empowering Conversations With Your Child (PDF format)
- Guide To Parents First Day (Tips For Harbor Mice) (PDF format)
- Helping Build The Class (PDF format)
- Honoring the Game (PDF format)
- Knots Pictures With Names (PDF format)
- Knots Pictures Blank Form for Contest (PDF format)
- Optimist a 25-Year Perspective (PDF format)
- Parts of the Opti Blank Contest Form (PDF format)
- Parts of the Opti Contest Answers (PDF format)
- Safety On The Water For Kids (PDF format)
- What Is A Good Sportsman? (PDF format)
- Your Time Will Come – Everyone Cannot win (PDF format)
Oppi Newsletters Archives
- Fall 2008 (PDF format)
Regatta Management Forms
- Boat Flag Assignment Form (XLS format)
- Boat Check In Form (XLS format)
- Budget 2007 About 85 Boats (XLS format)
- Budget 2008 Final Cost 89 Boats (XLS format)
- Combien Registration & Hold Harmless (DOC format)
- Coach Boat Registration (DOC format)
- Contribution Request Letter (DOC format)
- Course Dia Triangle Course 3 (DOC format)
- Course Dia Windward Leeward Modified Course 1 (DOC format)
- Course Dia Windward Leeward Course 2 (DOC format)
- Course Diagrams (DOC format)
- Green Fleet SI Orange Bowl (RTF format)
- Green Fleet SI Simple (DOC format)
- Green Fleet Sign Out In (XLS format)
- Green Fleet Safety Inspection (DOC format)
- Health Care Registration (DOC format)
- List of Potential Contributors (DOC format)
- Meal List Regatta Committee (DOC format)
- Notice of Race (DOC format)
- Orange Bowl Safety Check Sheet (DOC format)
- Regatta Announcement (DOC format)
- Registration Spread Sheet USODA (XLS format)
- Registration Spread Sheet More Complete (XLS format)
- Schedule of Events to Post (DOC format)
- SEC USODA Regatta Manual 2003 (PDF format)
- Sailing Instructions (DOC format)
- Self Safety Check List for Boat Compliance (DOC format)
- Spectator Sign Up (XLS format)
- Support Boat Registration (DOC format)
- Volunteers List (DOC format)
- Volunteers Needed (DOC format)
Every sailor wants to have an edge when it comes time to compete, and now you know how to get it.