The Winner's Guide to Optimist Sailing

Gary Jobson has won ten national one-design sailing titles, the America's Cup, and many ocean races. In 1999, he received the U.S. Sailing Association's most prestigious award, the Nathanael G. Herreshoff Trophy. In 2003 Gary was inducted into the America's Cup Hall of Fame. He is an editor at large for Cruising World and Sailing World and has been ESPN's sailing commentator since 1985. Jay Kehoe has coached six U.S. Optimist Dinghy Association international racing teams and has served on the coaching staff of the U.S. Optimist National Team. Formerly head sailing coach at Yale University and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, he is now head sailing coach at Stanford University.

Introduction by Joni Palmer, Executive Director, U.S. Optimist Dinghy Association

Part I: Welcome to Optimist Sailing

Optimist Fun

How the Optimist Came to Be

Part II: Getting Started

The Boat and Equipment

Parts of the Boat

Lines and Equipment

Safety

Boating Etiquette

Knots for Optimists

Square Knot

Square Knot with Keeper

Bowline

Clove Hitch

One-Design Knot

Tying to a Cleat

Stopper Knot

Transporting Your Dinghy

Checklist

Care of Boat and Rig

Part III: Let's Go Sailing

How a Boat Sails

The Points of Sailing

Preparation Before Sailing

Rigging

Changes in Course

Basic Tips

Where Do You Sit When Sailing?

How Do You Hold the Tiller?

How Do You Hold the Mainsheet?

How Do You Turn the Boat?

Launching

Windward Shore Tips

Leeward Shore Tips

Final Preparation

On the Water

Sailing on a Reach

Tacking

Running

Jibing

Upwind

Landing

Acceleration, Slowing Down, and Stopping

Sailing Out of the No-Go Zone

Weather Awareness

Reading the Wind

Waves, Current, and Tides

Waves

Current

Tides

Part IV: Fine-Tuning Your Skills

Going Faster

Rigging the Racing Rig

Sail Shape

Tying On Your Sail

Sailing to Windward

Sailing on a Reach

Sailing on a Run

Planing

Things to Avoid Downwind

Tacking

Jibing

Meeting an Obstruction

Capsizing

Basic Rules of the Road

Starboard Tack Has Right-of-Way

Tacking (or Jibing) Boat Must Stay Clear

Same Tack--Overlapped

Same Tack--Not Overlapped

Powerboats Must Stay Clear of Sailboats

Other Rules and Tips

Part V: Racing

Competition

First Race

Fast Starts

Starting in Light Wind

Determining Where to Start

Port-Tack Start

Dip Start

Barging Start

Starting Line Exits

Upwind Tactics

Approaching the Windward Mark

The Reaching Leg

The Run

Rounding the Leeward Mark

Fast Finishes

Dealing with Protests

Subtle Strategies

Your Health and Fitness for Sailing

Physical Fitness

Eating Right

Sleeping RIght

Part VI: Coaching Opti Sailing

Coaching Young Sailors

Teaching Format

On-the-Water Coaching Techniques

Instructor's Safety Review

Drills to Improve Boat Handling

Drills to Improve Speed

Practice

Practicing Alone

Practicing in Pairs

Practicing in a Fleet

Part VII: For Parents Only

OptiMania: A Note for Parents

Tips for Parents: Preparing for Opti Regattas

Part VIII: The Eternal Optimist

The Eternal Optimist

Classes

Handicap Racing/One-Design Offshore

Scholastic Sailing

Collegiate Sailing

The Olympics

The America's Cup and Match Racing

Team Racing

Day Sailing

Cruising

Glossary

Acknowledgments

Index

About the Authors

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