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Post by Fogg on Oct 4, 2022 15:57:17 GMT 12
What the difference between an Optimist vs a Far East Optimist? Is it just the place it was made or is it a different design / class?
Yes, just getting to that time when eldest is starting in dinghies…
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Post by fish on Oct 4, 2022 16:26:10 GMT 12
I don't know much about the Far East Optimists (they were all wooden when I learnt to sail),
But don't you want to be looking at the O'Pen Bic for a trainer?
Far more modern boat with associated performance. Rig packs down tiny (2 piece mast). And, they reportedly tow like a dream behind the mothership.
I'm guessing your main driver will be what your local club uses?
Manly use the Bic, and appear very popular. My kids are just coming up to that age, so I'm not active in the scene yet, but I've always assumed we would go for a Bic over an Optimist. Mainly cause that is what my local club is using, but also as they are a good boat.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 5, 2022 19:37:39 GMT 12
Far east are a cheap asian brand made in china. They are very "average" quality.
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Post by sabre on Oct 5, 2022 20:26:33 GMT 12
Yeah I was of the impression that "Far east" was a brand name. Could be wrong though..
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Post by Fogg on Oct 6, 2022 10:08:57 GMT 12
Jeez those O’pens look great. I wonder if I could carry one on Fogg…
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Post by fish on Oct 6, 2022 10:29:34 GMT 12
Jeez those O’pens look great. I wonder if I could carry one on Fogg… Apparently they tow extremely well. They plane easily, and the tow point is low down on the bow (I think it is actually an integral handle). Open transom means they can't fill up with water, so no breaking the tow line, flipping over or making like a sea anchor carryon. Snipper went for a family cruise last Christmas and towed one everywhere, hardly noticed it apparently. Got to an anchorage and oldest would sail his Bic around the bay and youngest was building up confidence on a paddle board. But they also fit on a car roofrack easily (the neighbour has none) or obviously on a trailer, but the point with car topping them is they are a tad less bulky and awkward than an optimist. So it wouldn't be too hard to get one onto Fogg's massive cabin top or foredeck. That and the rig packs down with a 2 piece mast. I believe they have a stowage bag thingee similar to a windsurfing mast / sail bag, short total length, so easy to stow on a yacht. |
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Post by Fogg on Oct 6, 2022 13:48:32 GMT 12
I might have to do some measuring next time I’m on Fogg.
I was also thinking about going down the route of a combined tender / sailing dinghy - so I don’t need two boats and something that I could hang on the davits. But the O’pen wouldn’t work for that.
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Post by GO30 on Oct 15, 2022 10:01:25 GMT 12
Yeah I was of the impression that "Far east" was a brand name. Could be wrong though.. Nope, you are right.
A brand of OK Optis. One of my lads imported one direct from the factory. Price was sharp and when we opened the package everything was there even down toa 500mm bit of string to tie the bailer in with. If you are not aiming for the Worlds a Far East would be a good buy.
I had a pile of Far East 11's in my training fleet. Considering the hammering they got they stood up exceptionally well.
A BIC is not a comparison to a Opti. Bics need more advanced skills than Opti. I'd put never sailed 7yo Rangi into an Opti long before a Bic.
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