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Choosing your Opti sail

As far as choosing a sail, our rule of thumb has always been to sail with the flattest sail possible without sacrificing your speed. If you can sail as fast with a flatter sail you will be able to point and sail higher. This is very key because the start and first tacks during the race are very important so and the ability to point high will really put you one step ahead. Please read below the descriptions and characteristics of our Optimist sail models.

Radial vs. Cross-Cut

The cross-cuts are still the recommended sails for beginner racers. The radials hold their shape so well that unless the sailor has a good grasp on how the mainsheet controls the leach, he or she could actually go slower with a radial. The cross-cuts are much more forgiving since they tend to stretch in the breeze, bending the leach open.

For further information on the optimist sail designs see the sail descriptions page or please contact your local loft.