The Optimist is a small, single-handed sailing dinghy intended for use by young people up to the age of 15.

The Optimist Club ran a soap box derby, but wanted more than a single-day event.

The ultimate design was a simple pram that could be built from two 4' x 8' sheets of plywood, that was donated to the Optimists.

It is secured evenly with ties along the luff to the mast and along the foot to the boom, pulled down tightly by a vang/kicker.

The light, slim third spar, the sprit, extends through a loop at the peak of the sail; the bottom rests in the eye of a short cable or string which hangs along the front edge of the mast.

Raising and lowering the sprit and adjusting the boom vang and outhaul allow for adaptation of sail trim to a range of wind conditions.

These and a tiller extension allow a sailor to hang off the side for weight distribution—commonly called "hiking out".

This can be crucial to keeping the boat more upright during heavy air, allowing greater speed through the water.

This wide range of weights which is not typical of most dinghies is made possible by different cuts of sail.

[9] Sails and spars of differing qualities enable sailors to upgrade their equipment as they progress.

At the 2020 Olympics at least 75% of the boat skipper medalists were former Optimist world or continental championship sailors.