Optimist with Topsail and spinnaker - Extra sail area

TLouth7 said:
I fitted a Laser 3000 asymmetric spinnaker to an oppie. To get the extra mast length I swapped out the mast for a topper one - they split in half so wouldn't take up too much space on deck. The lower tube was sufficiently similar to an oppie mast that it fitted the step and gooseneck. The sail was then laced to the new mast.
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Would there not be too much force on the mast foot with a large spinnaker and mast?
 
Newton, equilibrium, action and equal opposing reaction. Or if you double the power in the sail you need to double the righting moment to avoid capsize, which also doubles the loads in the mast step and thwart. If you add TLouth's trapeze you'll do that. If you don't you won't overload the step, but you'll either be swimming more often or a bit quicker with tiller and sheets.
 
I'm sorry you can't have an Optimist without the obligatory pair of Oppie parents - where do you plan to put them on your boat - my preference would be bound and gagged in the anchor locker
 
ollyp said:
Would there not be too much force on the mast foot with a large spinnaker and mast?
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I wouldn't be worried with a fixed step, though it could always be beefed up. The adjustable ones might give more cause for concern.

On a reach or upwind you are limited by the righting moment you can generate, which is probably within the limits of the mast step's strength.

Downwind under spinnaker I suspect that you would pitchpole before breaking the step, though you would want to be sure the mast was up to the job. I added twin backstays to the sides of the transom just to be on the safe side.
 
What about an RS Tera?
It's also for kids, but is bigger than an Optimist and an adult can sail it - I've gone out with a child. It would most likely fit on the coachroof if an Oppie does - much shorter and lighter than a laser or topper.
 
Seajet said:
The only way an Oppie will get near 20 knots is if it catches onto the fin of an Exocet sent by a flabberghasted yottie officer on a warship, pushed beyond his tether by the little sods tacking in front; or it could be scooped up and taken to 10,000' in a Hercules then dropped for the same reason, that should get it beyond 20 knots. :)
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Should have offered you a bet.

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=1720538011295939
 
That looks fun Oliver and I like the look of the topsail!

Had you thought about using a Topper rig? this was a fairly common modification to Optimists at one time with the boats called 'Toptimists'

Matt
 
I'm so glad that you did it. What's next?

I'm sailing a strict one design, so to scratch my itch I'm putting a V12 engine into a Land Rover. But after yesterday's racing I really really want to fly a huge Code 0 from my fractional masthead.....
 
I thought about the topper rig, but I wanted to keep the costs down.

Overall it cost me (I did visit the Beaulieu Boat Jumble):
£5 for the topyard - it was an old windsurfer mast
£2 for the extra blocks
£2 for the lines
£20 for a cadet spinnaker
£1 for the wood I used to extend the sprit

Total: £30

I had all the other equipment, including the sail cloth (I cut up an old sail), the spinnaker pole and the tools and hardware I used to put it all together.

Thanks so much for the help with it.
 
Yes, I have to say I was quite pleased with myself for getting the topyard for a fiver.
I think that a topper mast would have been much easier, but I wanted to do this cheaply and Tom Cunliffe gave me a hand with the design of the topsail so it wasn't too difficult.
 
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