Naples Sabot vs. Optimist

I think this argument is much simpler than what a lot of people are arguing above. I don't think the performance of each boat is useful for argument, they both have their intricacies and design flaws but still prove to be good at developing sailors.

First, I think the optimal weight for Opti makes it a much less competitive boat. Because there is no weight rule and the boat performs much better when the kid is light, it pays to be a 90 pound 10 year old rather than a heavier 14 year old who may be better at sailing, but can't keep up because he is too heavy. Even though he is only 125 pounds. I find that phenomenon kind of ridiculous. In the Sabot, there is an all up weight limit (I can't remember what it is exactly) and I remember have to carry weight in my boat until I weighed 125 pounds. I even got up to 140 in my sabot days and was still in close competition with pinners. I think the sabot is better in this respect because Weight is not as big of an issue

Also, I think that the whole Opti circuit is too much for kids impressionable kids at a young age. At one extreme, I know a very successful Opti sailor who has told me first hand that for a couple of years after leaving the Opti he lost interest in sailing and had no desire to travel as much to do events in a radial or 420. The excessive travelling, intense training camps, and stressful atmosphere are among the main things that turned him off.

The Naples Sabot circuit is quite the opposite. Like Brian said above, the furthest I ever had to travel was 2 hours, and that was from San Diego to Long Beach. Not a big deal. Additionally, there were no training camps we were forced to do, a great sense of camraderie among competitors (that can still be felt today when I go to regattas), and a great atmosphere that we could all thrive in. I think Sabot and the Sabot circuit are more effective at instilling a passion for sailing and competition that comes from the sailor.

I am not disputing that there are a TON of Opti sailors that are successful AC sailors, Olympians, College Sailor etc., but I think the reasons above help explain why a small part of Southern California generates a high concentration of good sailors every generation.

Adam.... get with the rest of the world buddy. It's not about a few hot shot sailors, although I'd like to see your data on that. If you ask the kids and families, what's truly great about the Sabot they say it's the fun, the comaradarie, the friendships. So what's great about the Opti? THE VERY SAME THING!
What's the difference between the Sabot and the Opti? One is raced in SoCal and the other is raced worldwide! And....uh..... the Opti Class bans carbon fiber and exotics it's the Naples Sabot Class that allows it!! I used to think that Optis weren't so one design until I really came to know the Sabot. It's all about the $$$ was a predominant theme I heard repeated time and again at a recent San Diego Sabot Championship.
And you are right.... they are a sweet boat for SoCal and any light air venue. They should never die out and SoCal should not be afraid of the Opti. It won't take over there. (It is and will take over in the US Sabot world).
Fact: Sabots sail better and are faster than Optis in light air.
Fact: Optis sail better and in conditions when Sabots are totally overpowered. Optis can race in winds up to 40 knots!!!
.....and can self rescue to go on and finish a race.

can I see your ratio? thought all the gold went to those UK Opti freaks? What is the price of a full tweak naples sabot? are all sabots the same? what is wrong with travel? being able to fly to Qingdao and sail with other kids?
I think the right coast is laughing at us when they read about sabots. I dont blame them.

I coached Sabots and Optis this summer, and I think it's fair to say that Sabot sailors enjoy a longer sailing season than most Opti sailors. And that they have to overcome the challenges of that infamous leeboard. It's easy to go sailing every day ten months out of the year in SC, not so much so on the Cape. What puzzles me is how SoCal sailors ever learn how to sail in big breeze. The one regatta that blew over 10kts in Newport this summer almost destroyed the Bay's entire C1 - C3 fleet...Kids from the Right Coast start sailing in breeze when they're still in diapers. How'd you manage Adam?