OptiClassics: Why Michael Timmermann organises regattas in historic wooden Optis
Lasse Johannsen
· 12.07.2023
Tell me, Mr Timmermann, what excites you about the Opti?
Its history. It was created in the USA back in 1947. As an Opti trainer for many years, I took an interest in it and found out that the original Opti, the Optimist Prahm, looked very different to today's Optimist dinghy. And in 2019, I had one of these boats built. Probably the first one in Germany, because it didn't catch on in Europe in its original form.
What did it look like?
The dimensions are roughly the same, but the centreboard is significantly smaller, as is the rudder. It also had an unbattened cotton sail with a loose foot and was significantly slower.
How did this ultimately become today's Opti?
The first Optis in Europe were built in Copenhagen in 1954. Paul Elvstrøm then took up the cause and, with plastic sails and other improvements, turned it into a boat suitable for regattas. This is how the Opti finally became a worldwide success. However, there were many lines of development, which were only standardised in 1995 by the IODA, the International Optimist Dinghy Association.
Three years ago, you founded a new association with your 1947 Optimist Prahm support organisation, what are your plans?
The club organises the "OptiClassics". These special regattas are sailed with historic wooden Optis, but not with the original shape of the boat. The first event of this season took place at the beginning of May on Lake Chiemsee and was received with great enthusiasm.
What does a regatta like this look like?
We sail these boats as a team competition in ten-minute short races followed by a swap. Modelled on the German Sailing League. Old boat and super-modern format.
And you as a club provide the boats?
That's right. The boats are provided, there are six of them, just like in the Bundesliga. But there is no pairing list, that would be too complicated. We draw lots for the boats after each race. It's a one-day event, very parent-friendly.
Patinated wood. Plastic is rotting"
But what if the weather doesn't play ball?
We sail in any wind. Except calm, of course. But two knots is enough. And we sail historically, i.e. without neoprene, and in appropriate conditions also without buoyancy aids.
Why is that?
In the classic way, just like it used to be when the boats were built. And it's great fun for the children to finally be able to do something different. And a wooden boat, any boat, has a soul. Wood patinated. Plastic is rotting.
Where do you get all the optis from?
Initially by acclamation, then it developed like an avalanche. We now have 19 regatta-ready Optis, and old boats are offered to us every week. Some of them are really valuable. We collect them. Because we also want to set up an Opti museum. In addition to the historical regattas, that is the purpose of the support association.
If you are interested, please contact us: opticlassics@t-online.de
