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About United States Optimist Dinghy Association
USODA is the national class organization for Optimist sailing in the United States.
Our mission is simple: USODA will support and sustain junior sailors, their families, and junior sailing programs with leadership, information, and organization which facilitates the growth of Optimist sailing at all levels. We will accomplish this while promoting fun, safety, self-reliance, and good sportsmanship.
USODA is a 501(c)(3) educational organization, able to receive tax deductible contributions from individuals. Its interest is in promoting a boat, the International Optimist Dinghy (IOD), and promoting sailing across the United States.
Design
Boats Produced: Over 23,000 in the United States
Class boat builder(s):
The Class has multiple builders, with McLaughlin being the sole builder in the United States. The main vendors in the United States for new boats are:
McLaughlin
Simmons Boatworks
KO Sailing
Zim
Approximately how many boats are in the USA/North America?
Where is your One-Design class typically sailed in the USA? List regions of the country:
The Optimist Class is active throughout the US.
Does this class have a spinnaker or gennaker? No
Ideal combined weight of range of crew: 75-110 lbs
Boat Designed in 1947
Beam: 3’8″
Weight of rigged boat without sails: 77 lbs
Draft: 2’9″
Mast Height: 7’5″