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Español Schools and Clubs – Sailing Tips!
The season has started for schools and clubs. All schools, clubs and sailors are well prepared, but there is always something to improve. At Optiparts we have several useful products which will make the season even better. From boat parts and accessories to playing cards for using ashore. Find below some useful products. Enjoy sailing this summer!
Take care of your hull!
It’s easy to damage the bow of your Optimist. Especially polyester Optimists are vulnerable and need immediate attention in case of damage. By protecting the bow you will have way less repair work during the season. The EX1065 – Optimist Bow Bumper has a snug fit around the bow of the Optimist. In addition to the bow bumper we advise to add the EX1066 – Optimist Corner Protectors. These heavy duty rubber corner protectors for the Optimist have self adhesive backing and can be used on bow only and on all 4 corners.
Choose the right lines!
It’s very important to have a floating painter line in each boat and have some spare ones as well. The EX1374 – Optimist floating painter is 8,1 meter long and has a diameter of 6mm, with UV treatment. A mainsheet has to be comfortable and durable. The affordable EX1377 – Optimist Mainsheet has a length of 6 meter and is ideal for 1:3 mainsheet systems. This 8mm 16 plait polypropylene sheet is comfortable for all sailors.
Start smaller!
Sailing is all about having fun. Optiparts created an easy to handle sail which is half the size of a normal Optimist sail. With the EX1064 – Optimist Trisail now even the smallest helmsman can continue sailing in heavy wind. And have you seen our EX1061WR – Sleeve sail with reef eye? Find out more!
Protect your valuables!
Keep your lunch and valuables safe and dry in your own boat or in the coach boat. With a hole in the lid to secure in the boat with a line. Our lunch containers are available in two sizes: EX3048 – 3 liter, 17 cm high and EX3049 – 6 liter, 26 cm high. Do you prefer using a dry bag? Check out our waterproof sailing bags!
Training and Regatta mark – Visible and durable!
We designed a highly visible yellow sailing buoy that can be easily used as training mark, by coaches or sailing schools, or as regatta mark during races. This highly visible yellow training mark is designed to last long. The mark consists of 3 separate parts: a solid outer, an inflatable inner bladder and a ballast bag. The mark can be used anchored or as drifting mark. At the bottom you will find a big grab handle where you can easily fasten the mooring line.
Solid outer
The outer is made of thick 0.9 mm heavy duty fabric. On the top of the solid outer you will find an opening to insert the inflatable bladder. The opening has a velcro/buckle closure. On the side of the outer you will find two grab handles to make it easy to carry and to reposition the mark.
Inflatable inner bladder
The inflatable bladder is made of polyurethane coated nylon and has a twist lock tube valve for quick inflation and deflation.
Ballast bag
The mark has an internal ballast compartment to contain the separate ballast bag. The ballast compartment can be accessed through a velcro closure. The ballast bag has an easy to use lock buckle and can be filled with chain or stones.
This training mark features a pocket for an optional strengthening batten (not included).
With these specifications we made a sailing buoy that can be easily used as training mark, by coaches or sailing schools, or as regatta mark during races.
Size inflated: 180 x 18 cm
FEATURES
– Highly visible
– Heavy duty 0.9 mm fabric
– Opening for inner bladder with velcro and buckle closure
– Inner bladder with twist lock tube valve
– Pocket for an optional strengthening batten (not included)
– Two grab handles on the side
– Ballast compartment with velcro closure for ballast bag
– Big grab handle for mooring line
Dinghy Transport – Safe travels!
When you bring your boat to a regatta, training, holiday or somewhere else, it’s important to be well prepared before leaving. If you have an Optimist, Laser or other dinghy and transport it on your roof or on a trailer; the tips and tricks below are usefull for all.
Padded roof rack cover
When you transport your boat on the roof of your car, it’s usefull to protect your roof rack against damaging your boat. Padded roof rack covers are available to protect your boat and give more grip in fastening your boat on the roof rack. The Optiparts padded roof rack protectors have a foam inner and are covered with heavy duty nylon cloth with velcro fastener. Easy to apply and to be placed in the right position. Length 50 cm. Sold per piece.
Load straps for roof rack and trailer
To secure your dinghy to your trailer or roof rack, we advise to use long and durable load straps. To protect your hull against damaging, the Optiparts load straps have protection behind the buckle and are 6 meter long; long enough to put twice over your boat.
Hull cover
During transport we advise to use a hull cover to protect your hull against chippings from the road. Nothing worse than arriving at a regatta and have damage to repair. The top quality hull covers from Optiparts and Windesign for Optimist and Laser® / ILCA® are made of Moistureguard 2000; a heavy duty 900D breathable polyester cloth with a polyurethane membrane. Moistureguard reduces the risk of blisters. The hull covers are easy to install with the supplied straps and adjustable buckles.
Foil bag
We all know that it’s easy to damage your Optimist and Laser® / ILCA® foils. To protect your foils against having chips on the edges it’s recommended to use a foil bag for your rudder and daggerboard. The Optiparts and Windesign foil bags for Optimist and Laser® / ILCA® have seperate compartments for rudder, daggerboard, tiller and accessories like sheet, battens and wind indicator. Carried out with velcro closure, carrying handle and supplied with adjustable and detachable carrying strap.
Rig Support for Laser® and ILCA®
Don’t struggle anymore with fitting your spars in your car. With the Windesign Rig Support for Laser® and ILCA® you can easily take your Laser® / ILCA® boom, top and bottom mast without damaging the deck during transport. The high grade plastic molded rig support comes in two pieces; the front piece fits in the masthole and the back piece fits between the deck. The Laser® / ILCA® spars are fixed to the support with shockcord. In addition to the transport benefit, this rig support offers another benefit when storing your Laser; when placing your top cover over the rig support, your cover will stay upwards and the water will run off.
Rigging instructions – Check our videos!
Find the Optiparts knot instruction videos on our Youtube channel and below. When rigging your Optimist it’s important to know how to tie a knot. Most common used knots on an Optimist and other dinghies are the bowline, figure-eight and reef knot. You also need to know these knots when setting up your Optiparts Standard Optimist Rig. Check our manual for installation step by step.