~The Vapor Optimist is the most popular racing sailboat for juniors.
The Vapor Optimist has been designed to be safe, durable and competitive. The skills the Optimist fosters can be directly translated into other classes later on.
~The VAPOR - Why is it different from all the rest?
The Vapor Optimist is built in the US alongside the Laser, Sunfish and 420, among several other siblings. The expertise in our factory is unparalleled in the sport of sailing. As we began to see the docks crowd with Optimists from all around the globe, we set a goal for ourselves. Lets apply our knowledge to build the best possible Optimist we know how. Oh, and lets not charge people an arm and a leg for it.
Draft: 3 ft. 2 in.
Beam: 3 ft. 8 in.
Standard features:
The Hull
Our hull is made from the finest materials available and to the exacting standards of our engineers. Weve chosen a biaxial stitched fiberglass cloth with a +/- 45º orientation that allows for maximum torsional strength, stiffness and durability. The resins and gel coat we use are the best in the industry. They are selected for their consistent set-up and durability. In addition, we use Plexus to bond all high stress areas, including the hull/deck joint and thwart. This process increases durability without adding a lot of weight.
We also used our extensive knowledge in marine manufacturing to develop the most precise and fairest molds and jigs on the market. This has the added benefit of eliminating the use of putty to match components. Throughout the manufacturing process we pay close attention to consistency. This means we dont have to mix and match components to make weight. Our boats come out right the first time or they dont make it to the water.
The Components
Finally weve matched our state of the art hull with the very best hardware available on the market today.
Vapor
New rule blades
Selden club rig
Harken blocks
Stainless steel mounting hardware
North training sail
Vapor XD
Harken Blocks
Ronstan tapered mainsheet
Tebbertman (TEB) racing foils
Optimax MK IV racing rig
48 liter airbags
Stainless steel mounting hardware
Zhik hiking strap
Opti Parts mast step and collar
Color
White hull and sail, the Vapor XD has a white hull with an orange and gray stripe.
