| THE OPTI TUNING PAGES
On these pages we will be gradually adding tuning tips for opti sailors.
RULE TIP: Starting and the dreaded I flag and black flag. Many opti regattas have large crowded starting lines. Sometimes the lines are not set square and the whole fleet will crowd the committe boat end of the line.
These factors will usually lead to general recalls. When the Race Committe feels the sailors are being too aggressive they will fly either the I flag (yellow with black sphere) or a solid black Flag.
Be wary when you see these flags. When the I flag is flown, you must not be over the line with less than one minute to the start or you must clear yourself by circling around either the committe boat or the pin end of the starting line. The good news about the I flag is you CAN clear yourself. Now the bad news.
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The black flag. This one is serious. If you are over the line with one minute or less before the start, you will automatically be disqualified from that race, AND subsequent restarts of that race, if a general recall is called.
North Sails invites you to join Team Blue. Team blue members have access to Coach notes, regatta reports, tuning stuff, photos and videos, members profiles, and more
Join Team Blue Here.
If you use North Sails , then you will want to check out North Sails tuning guide.
The online tuning guide can be found here.
The North Sails tuning guide web page is very cool and has video clips of proper sail trim and boat handling tips.
The pdf file tuning guide can be found here.
If you use Olimpic Sails, then you will want to check out Olimpics' tuning guide.
The Olimpic tuning guide can be found here.
If you use a Quantum / Toni Tio sail, then you will want to check out Quantums' tuning guide.
The Quantum tuning guide can be found here.
Keep checking back for more opti tuning tips.
| Line |
Diameter |
Line Types |
Quantity |
Length |
| Main Halyard |
1/4" (6mm) |
Marlow Excel Pro or Super Pre-Stretch |
1 |
40' |
| Jib Halyard |
1/4" (6mm) |
Marlow Excel Pro or Super Pre-Stretch |
1 |
16' |
| Spinnaker Halyard |
5/32" (4mm) |
Marlow Excel Pro or Super Pre-Stretch |
1 |
38' |
| Topping lift |
3/16" (5mm) |
Marlow Excel Pro or Super Pre-Stretch |
1 |
25' |
| Jibsheet |
5/16" (8mm) |
YaleLight Competition |
1 |
25' |
| Mainsheet |
5/16" (8mm) |
YaleLight Competition |
1 |
25' |
| Mainsheet Bridal |
1/8" (3mm) |
Marlow Excel Pro or D12 |
1 |
11' |
| Spinnaker Sheet |
3/16" (5mm) |
Marlow Excel Pro or Super Pre-Stretch |
1 |
36' |
| Foreguy |
3/16" (5mm) |
Marlow Excel Pro or Super Pre-Stretch |
1 |
11' |
| Spinnaker Block Lines |
3/16" (5mm) |
Marlow Excel Pro or Super Pre-Stretch |
2 |
1' |
| Spinnaker Bag Shockcord |
3/16" (5mm) |
Shockcord |
1 |
2' 3" |
| Pole Keeper Bag Shockcord |
3/16" (5mm) |
Shockcord |
1 |
9' |
| Cunningham |
3/16" (5mm) |
Marlow Excel Pro or Super Pre-Stretch |
1 |
5' |
| Trapeze Retractor |
3/16" (5mm) |
Shockcord |
1 |
10' |
| Board Downhaul |
3/16" (5mm) |
Marlow Excel Pro or Super Pre-Stretch |
1 |
4' 6" |
| Board Uphaul |
3/16" (5mm) |
Marlow Excel Pro or Super Pre-Stretch |
1 |
7' 6" |
| Hiking Strap Aft Tie Down |
3/16" (5mm) |
Marlow Excel Pro or Super Pre-Stretch |
1 |
4' |
| Painter |
5/16" (8mm) |
Marlow Marstron |
1 |
15' |
| 
