Optimist Dinghy
The United States Optimist Dinghy Association (USODA), http://www.usoda.org
International Optimist Dinghy Association, http://www.optiworld.org
From http://www.optistuff.com/info/boats.html
“Originally designed in 1947, the Optimist Dinghy has become the world standard as both the introductory junior trainer and a premier one design racing class. It is the only sailboat designed specifically for children allowing them to learn the essentials of sailing without danger or fear. It is also the biggest and fastest growing racing class in the world with over 300,000 hulls built worldwide.”
Opti Specs (http://www.zimsailing.com/club-optimist.html)
Length 7.7 ft
Width 3.7 ft
Sail Area 35ft2
Hull Weight 77lb
Suggested sailor weight range: up to 130lbs
O’Pen Bic
https://www.bicsport.com/open-bic.html
From https://www.bicsport.com/open-bic.html
“O’pen BIC celebrated its 10th birthday in 2016, along with the production of its 8,000th boat. Designed specifically for juniors, our little dinghy has blown a big breath of fresh air through our sailing world, close to the new-generation skiff concept, very fast and very simple. 100% open, self-bailing, rapid and responsive, with an up-to-date versatile rig, the O’pen BIC offers kids a machine that delivers maximum fun while helping them learn the skills and reflexes to enjoy racing on current, high-performance equipment. Hundreds of sailing clubs around the world have opted for the O’pen BIC, for a new, fun way of teaching sailing to appeal to youngsters attracted to new sail sports.”
O’Pen Bic Specs (https://www.bicsport.com/open-bic/open.html)
Length 9 ft
Width 3.7 ft
Sail Area 4.5m2
Hull weight: 98 lbs
Suggested sailor weight: 65 lbs to 140 lbs
Club 420
Club 420 Association, https://club420.org
From the C420 website:
“The Club 420 is a two person dingy which forms the base of many local, high school and collegiate programs in North America. Simple for beginning sailors and yet challenging enough for collegiate champions. The Club 420 offers more learning opportunities than any other double-handed boat. Over 5,000 Club 420s are sailed in youth, high school and collegiate programs all over the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean.”
C420 Specs
Length 13.9 ft
Width 5.5 ft
Sail Area 79.65 ft2
Jib Area 30.14 ft2
Spinnaker 95 ft2
Hull weight 230 lbs
Suggested sailor weight range: 120 lbs to 170 lbs [220-300lbs for combined crew weight]