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70-year anniversary
01 Sep 2017
The Optimist dinghy was first launched in August 1947
This year is the 70th anniversary of the Optimist pram, originally launched in August 1947.
The single-handed dinghy was designed by the American Clark Mills in 1947 to offer low-cost sailing for young people.
The boat was designed to be built from two 4ft x 8ft sheets of plywood and has now become one of the most popular sailing dinghies in the world with more than 150,000 boats officially registered with the class.