Vanguard Optimist User Manual

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Page 1

Optimist Rigging Guide

Vanguard Sailboats 300 Highpoint Ave

Portsmouth, RI. 02871

www.teamvanguard.com

1.800.966.SAIL

BEFORE YOU BEGIN TO READ THE WIND.

BEFORE YOU BEGIN TO READ THE WATER.

BEGIN BY READING THIS RIGGING GUIDE.

Page 2

Useful knots to

know:

Figure 8 Knot or

Stopper Knot

Square Knot

Bowline

Cleat

Clove Hitch

Luggage Knot

ongratulations on the purchase of your new Vanguard Optimist!We suggest that you read

through this guide to better familiarize yourself with the parts and rigging of your new boat. If you have any questions please contact your dealer or call Vanguard’s customer service at 1-800-966-SAIL.

Nautical Terminology:

Port: Left side of the boat when looking forward

Starboard: Right side of the boat when looking forward

Gunwale: Upper edge of a boat’s side

Leeward: Direction away from the wind

Windward: Direction from which the wind is coming

Mast

Halyard

Sprit

Boom

Mast step

Tiller with Extension

dder

Daggerboard

Sail

uff

Leech

ainsheet

ain

eet Blocks

ack

Foot of the Sail

Clew

Airbags

Rudder

Hiking Strap

Airbag straps

ainsheet

Mast Thwart

Daggerboard Trunk

ainsheet Bridle

Bow

Stern

Mast Collar

Head of the Sail

Sail Tie

Vang

Outhaul

Page 3

Your new Vanguard Optimist will come with three boxes. One box for the spar set, one for the blades and one for the delivery kit containing the sail, block and lines. Use caution while opening the boxes as to a

void damaging the contents. Be sure not to cut into the packaging inside of the box.

Locate th

e box containing the spars (Figure ).

Inside you will find :

1. Mast

2. Sprit

3. Boom

Be sure to remove all of the packaging (plastic, bubble wrap, zip ties) before continuing to rig your Optimist. Use caution when removing the zip ties so you do not to scratch the spars.

Locate the box labeled delivery kit (Figure 1). In

side you will find:

1. Lin

e bag

2. USA Sail Letters

3. Hardware

4. Sail with sail bag an

d digital eight sail numbers

Locate the box containing the blad

es (Fi

gure 4). Inside you will

find:

1. Tiller with extension

2. Rudder

3. Daggerboard

1. Locate the bag from the delivery kit containing the mainsheet blocks. Remove t

he mainsheet ratchet block, compression spring, 1 carbo block and the shackle, pin a

nd ring (Figure 5).

. There are two eyestraps located on the cockpit floor, aft of the daggerboard thwart (Figure 6). With the shackle pin and ring, attach the carbo block to the forward most e

yestrap (Figure 7).

3. Remove the shackle pin and ring from the mainsheet ratchet block. Loop the shackle beneath the aft eyestrap and place the c

ompression spring over it (figure 8).

. While compressing the spring, place the mainsheet ratchet block at the top of the spring and align the hole in the bottom of the block with the holes in the shackle. Secure the ratchet block to the shackle with the pin and ring (Figure 9).

Attaching the Mainsheet Blocks:

Pliers

Here is a list of tools that

we recommended you have

to assist you in

assembling your new

ptimist:

Utility Knife

Wren

Screw Drivers

Electrical T

ape

4. Contents of bag # 3

1. Mi

cro bullet block

2. Carbo block with becket (2)

3. Shackle

, pin and ring

4. Compression spring

5. Mainsheet ratchet block

6. M

ainsheet snap shackle with

strap and ring

7. Daggerboard retainer strap

Attaching the Sail:

1. Retrieve the mast, boom, sail, corner ties an

d sail ties.

2. A

ttach the boom jaw to the mast right above the sprit halyard cleat (Figure 10). When laying the mast and boom down, be sure that the area is free of sharp objects that could damage the sail.

3. Unwrap the sail. Lay the sail down over the mast and boom, aligning the mast with the luff of the sail and the boom with the foot of the sail.

4. Locate the sail ties. Starting at the mast, loop the ties around the mast and through the grommet in the sail. Secure with a squ

e knot (figure 11). Tie the sail ties tight enough that you can slip one fin

er between th

e sail and the mast

(Fi

gur

e 12).

5. Locate th

e corn

er ties. Starting at the

top o

f th

e m

ast, lead one o

f the corner ties through the top eyestrap then through the top gr

ommet in the sail. Wrap the corner tie

oun

d twice before securing with a square

knot (Figure 13). Repeat for lower eyestrap.

Figure 5

Figure 7 Figure 8

igure 6

Figure 9

Figure 10

gur

e 11

gur

e 12

gur

e 13

gure 2

Figure 1

Figure 4

Figure 3

1. 3. 4. 6.

3.2.

Mainsheet Block

Carbo block

Boom Jaw

Sprit H

alyard Cleat

Bow

tern

Page 4

6. Using two more corner ties, secure the tack of the sail to the boom and the mast (Figure 14).

7. Be sure to adjust the corner ties in order to get the red mark on the luff of the sail to fit between the two blue stripes on the mast (Figure 15).

8. Continue tying the sail ties onto the boom. Tie the sail ties tight enough that you can place two f

ingers between the boom and the sail (Figure 16).

9. Tie off the last corner tie to the clew of the s

ail.

Rigging the Outhaul:

1. Locate the outhaul line. Tie a stopper knot in one end. Lead the free end of the line through the port hole in the boom end cap (Fi

gure 17).

2. Continue the line through the clew grommet and back through the open hole in the boom cap (Figure 18).

3. Lead the line forward along the starboard side of the boom and through the v-cleat (Figure 19). Cleat off and tie a stopper knot in the end of the line.

Stepping the Mast:

1. Lift the mast with sail and boom

attached.

2. Align the mast butt over the mast collar.

Gen

tly slide the mast through the thwart and

into the metal mast step (figure 20).

3. Make sure that the sprit halyard cleat is

facing the bow while the cleat for the vang cleat is facing the stern (Figure 21).

ast Tie-in:

1. Locate the mast tie-in line. The mast tie-in eyestrap is located on the thwart forward of the mast (Figure 22).

. Tie a luggage knot with the mast tie-in line around the eyestrap (Figure 22).

3. Lead the ends of the line around the mast. Cross the port line over the starboard line right above the vang cleat (Figure 23).

. Lead the two ends back around to the front of the mast and secure with a square knot (Figure 24).

gur

e 20

gur

e 21

gur

e 17

igure 22

igure 23

igure 24

igure 14

Figure 15

Figure 16

gur

e 18

gur

e 19

Boom Retainer:

1. Locate boom retaining line from the line bag. Tie a stopper knot in one end of the line. Lead the line up through the starboar

d hole in the boom jaw

(Figure 25).

2. Lead th

e free end of the line around to the port side hole in the boom jaw. Thread the line d

own thr

ough th

e h

ole an

d secure with a stopper knot (Figur

e 26).

3. Located just above the boom jaw, centered on the mast is the m

ast r

etain

er peg (Fi

gure 27).

4. Twist the boom retainer line until the line is taught when placed over the peg (Figure 28).

gur

e 25

Figure 26

gure 27

gure 28

taching the Sail Continued:

ed sail line

ines on

the mast

Thwart

Mast Collar

Mast step

Sprit

Halyard

Cleat

Vang Cleat

Bow

Mast Peg

Boom Jaw

Grommet

Eyestrap

Bow

Stern

Page 5

Attaching the Sprit:

igging the Sprit Halyard:

igure 39

Figure 42

. Locate the upper and lower sprit halyard line from the line bag. Retrieve t

he micro single block from the delivery kit.

. Tie a bowline in one end of the upper sprit halyard. Making sure to leave a very small loop that can then be placed onto the end of the sprit pole (Figure 38).

. Run the free end of the line through the micro single block that is attached to the middle of the mast (Figure 39).

. Tie a bowline to the micro single block with the free end of the upper sprit halyard line (Figure 40).

5. With the lower sprit halyard line tie a bowline to the top of the halyard cleat located on the mast below the boom connection (Figure 41).

6. Lead the line through the micro single block and then back through the cleat to secure (Figure 42).

7. Place a stopper kn

ot in the tail o

f the

lower halyard line.

The sprit has two differing ends. One end has a rubber sleeve covering a section of the aluminum. This end will attach to the sprit halyard as the rubber is used to reduce the chafe against the mast.

1. Locate the sprit loop at the head of the sail.

2. Place the sprit end without the rubber sleeve in

to th

e loop in th

e h

ead

of the sail.

3. Place the opposite end of the sprit into the small loop created by the bowline in the upper sprit halyard. Pull on the lower sprit halyard to raise the top of the sail.

sembling the Vang:

1. Locate the vang wire a

ttached to the forward

oom button (Figure 29).

2. Retrieve the vang line from the line bag. With a b

owline, tie the vang line to the thimble located at the e

nd of the vang wire (Figure 30).

3. Lead the vang line up t

hrough the clam cleat located on the mast just above the thwart (Figure 31).

. Cleat off. Tie a stopper kn

ot in the end of the vang

line (Figure 32).

Optimist Safety

Here are a few safety products

hat we suggest you have to

keep you safe! Refer to the

Optimist class rules as most of

these items are required

for racing.

To keep water out of the boat,

have a bailer handy.

Don’t rely on the breeze,

have a paddle.

Make sure your bailer and

paddle are secured into the

boat and out of your way.

Always wear your lifejacket!

Completed Vang

Figure 29

igure 30

igure 31

Figure 32

Attaching the Painter:

1. Locate the bow loop and painter line from the line bag. Take the bow loop line and thread both ends down through the small hole on the topside of the bow (Figure 33 & 34).

2. Tie off the two ends the bow loop with a square knot (Figure 35).

3. Pull up on th

e bow loop so that th

e square knot is snugly secured beneath the rail of the bow.

4. Wrap the painter line around the mast step, underneath the adjustor bolt, and secure it with a bowline (Figure 36). Lead the line up through the bow loop (Figure 37). Place the remainder of the painter in the bow of the boat.

Figure 33

Figure 34 Figure 35

Figure 36 Figure 37

Figure 38

Figure 41

Figure 40

Attached

icro Single

Block

Micro Single

Block

alyard Cleat

Clam Cleat

Vang Wire

himble

Rubber

Chafe Sleeve

Page 6

igging the Mainsheet Bridle:

. Locate the mainsheet snap shackle with pennant from the delivery kit and t

he mainsheet bridle line from the line bag (Figure 43).

. Find the center of the mainsheet bridle line and at the midpoint tie a l

uggage knot onto the ring of the snap

shackle pennant (Figure 44).

3. Located on the topside of the boom y

ou will find two boom buttons (Figure 45). Take one end of the m

ainsheet bridle line and lead it through

e of the boom buttons, around the

oom and secure with a bowline (Figure 46). Repeat with the free end of the line at the other boom button (Figure 47), tying the line as tight as p

ossible. Make sure the mainsheet shackle is suspended evenly between the two boom buttons (Figure 48) and that the bridle runs beneath the outhaul line.

Figure 47

Figure 43 Figure 45Figure 44

Figure 48

1. Locate the mainsheet bridle safety line from the line bag. The mainsheet bridle safety is used to secure the mainsheet bridle closer to the boom. T

e th

e safety lin

e an

d lead it around the boom and through the ring of the snap shackle pennant twice. Secure with a squ

e knot (Fi

gure 49).

Figure 46

Safety Issue: The mainsheet bridle should not span from the boom further than 100mm (~ 4”). A qui

ck gui

would be th

e width of three fingers

(Fi

gur

e 50). Refer to th

e Optimist class

rules f

or complete d

etails

www.usoda.or

gur

e 49

gur

e 50

Rigging the Mainsheet Bridle Safety:

Rigging the Mainsheet :

gur

e 52

1. Locate the carbo block with becket fr

om th

e delivery kit. The hole located in the center of the block is the beckett (Figure 51).

2. Retrieve the mainsheet line from the line bag. Lead one end of the mainsheet through the becket (Figure 52) and secure the end with a stopper knot (Figure 53).

Boom Button

gur

e 51

gur

e 53

igging the Mainsheet Continued :

3. Lead the mainsheet from the beckett down to the forward mainsheet block on the cockpit floor (Figure 54). Lead the line back up through the carbo block (Figure 55). C

ontinue the line down through the mainsheet ratchet block

(Figure 56).

ote: Make sure while pulling the mainsheet the block makes a ratcheting noise. If the block does not make a ratchet sound one of two things could be the problem. First try running the mainsheet through the block the opposite way. If this does not work, locate the lever on the m

ainsheet block and switch it to the ratchet position.

Figure 54

gure 55

Safety: The mainsheet is connected to the bridle by a snap shackle configuration. The snap shackle is provided as a safety device that can quickly be disconnected by pulling on the shackle pin to release the shackle open (Figure 57 &

58). Press the bottom of the shackle back over the pin to close.

Figure 56

igure 57

Rigging the Rudder:

1. Locate the rudder and tiller from the blade delivery box. The tiller screws and washers should already be attached to the tiller. Remove the screws. Align the two holes in the tiller with the two holes in the top of the rudder (Figure 59). Make sure that the tiller extension faces upward (Figure 60).

2. Place one washer over each hole and insert the screw (Figure 61). On the opposite side place one washer over each screw. Using pliers or a crescent wrench, secure the n

ylon lock nuts over the screws (Figure 62). The lock nuts

ould be ti

tened so that the tiller is snug. Do not over

tighten!

3. Align the pintles on the rudder over the holes in the gu

geons on the boat (Figure 63). Press down making sure

the pintles are locked in place (Figure 64).

4. To remove the rudder, press in the retaining clip while pulling straight up on the rudder (Figure 65). Once the upper pintle clears the retaining clip the rudder will be released.

Figure 59 Figure 60

gur

e 63

gur

e 64

gur

e 65

Pintle

eon

The rudder in the picture is only to depict what the rudder attached looks like. Do not attach the rudder to the boat until the boat is in deep enough water.

Beck

Figure 61

gure 62

Figure 58

Outhaul Line

Mainsheet Bridle

Mainsheet Carbo Block

Max 4”

dder

Retaining

Clip

Page 7

1. Locate the daggerboard strap, shockcord and plastic tubing from the line bag (Figure 66). Place o

ne end of the shockcord into the tubing and slide to

the center of the shockcord (Figure 67).

2. Locate the two holes in the mast thwart (Figure 68). Take one end of the shockcord and t

hread it into the starboard hole (figure 69). Tie a stopper knot in the shockcord on the backside of the thwart (Figure 70). Make sure that the knot is secure so that when the shockcord is extended the knot does not slip loose.

3. Slide the free end of the shockcord into one end of the daggerboard strap (Figure 71 & 72).

4. Lead the daggerboard strap around the backside of the daggerboard trunk between the space created by the daggerboard trunk and cockpit floor (Figure 73).

5. Continue the free end of the shockcord through the other side of the daggerboard strap. Lead the shockcord back up to the mast thwart and secure the fr

ee end in the port hole. Again make sure that the

ot is tigh

t so that it will not r

elease while under

load.

6. Retrieve the daggerboard from the delivery kit. Locate the hole in the handle of the Daggerboard. This side should face towards the bow.

Figure 66 Figure 67

Figure 68 Figure 69

Figure 70 Figure 71

Figure 72 Figure 73

ote: Do n

ot place the d

agg

erboar

d into the

aggerboard slot while th

e boat is on lan

. Doin

g such will damage the bottom of the board. Only place th

e d

aggerboard into the trunk when the boat

is in th

e water

. Th

e d

agg

erboard should be lowered

gradually as you sail into deeper water.

igging the DaggerboardRetainers:

7. When the daggerboard is inserted into the trunk, take the shockcord with the plastic tubbing and bring it to the aft edge of the board (Figure 74). As the d

aggerboard is lifted the compression of the shockcord against the aft edge will keep the board in the desired lifted position without the board slipping back into the trunk.

Figure 74

Complete Retaining System

ote: Make sure that the plastic tubing is against the aft edge of the board. Without the plastic tubing the s

hockcord will wear out faster due to the friction on the sharp edge of the board.

Figure 76 Figure 77

Attaching the Hiking Strap Lifter:

1. Locate the hikin

g strap lifter shockcord from the line bag.

2. Tak

e on

e en

d o

f th

e hiking strap shockcord and lead it through the h

ole located in the stern rail of the

boat.

3. Tie a stopper kn

ot in th

e en

d o

f the shockcord that will rest beneath the r

ail of the boat.

4. Draw th

e lin

e over th

e airbag an

d secur

e to the hiking strap. It is suggested to place a wrap of electrical tape around the knot to prevent the knot fr

om slippin

aggerboard Retainer

Holes

Cockpit Floor

Aft Edge of

Daggerboard Trunk

Figure 75

Option: The daggerboard shockcord ends can be led to the eyestrap on the front of the daggerboard trunk in

tead of the holes in the mast thwart. By doing this it allows for the front of the cockpit to remain c

lear (Figure 75).

8. Retrieve the daggerboard safety line from the line bag. Tie with a bowline one end of the line to the eyestrap located on the front side of the daggerboard trunk (Figure 76).

9. Lead the free end of the line up to the d

aggerboard handle. Thread the line through the hole

at th

e front of the daggerboard. Secure with a

bowline (Figure 77).

Page 8

Owner Information

Hull Identification Number: OQT__ __ __ __ __ __ __ __

Purchased From: Date of Purchase:

Contact Name: Phone #:

Address:

City: State: Zip Code:

Hull Color: Sail #:

Registration Information (if applicable)

Trailer VIN #:

License Plate Number: Licensing State:

Registr

ation Number: State of Registration:

Insurance Information:

Maintenance

It is important to take proper care of your sail in order for it to last longer and perform to the standard t

hat they were designed for. Follow these simple tips to help extend the life of your sail.

1. If you are sailing in salt water, be sure to rinse out your sail with fresh water after every use. D

acron sails do not absorb water or salt but the salt will dry on the sail making them stiff. The salt in

umid weather can attract moisture that may lead to mildew on your sail.

2. To wash your sail, NEVER machine wash them. Doing so will damage the material as well as remove the finish of the sail. If your sail becomes dirty, clean it with a mild dish detergent and rinse with fresh water. Do not bleach or use other harsh chemicals on the sail for they can also ruin the finish, decreasing the life of the sail. It is not recommended to store your sail wet, doing so is an invitation for mildew to grow.

3. It is not recommended to dry your sail in the sun because other then when in use, over exposure of UV rays will slowly break down the material of the sail. Be aware of the surface that you are drying your sail on as asphalt and other parking lot surfaces are very abrasive to the sail material and may contain chemicals (i. e. oil) that can damage the sail. Avoid unnecessary flapping of the sail for it will greatly reduce the life of the sail.

4. Rolling your sail is highly recommended. Crumpling a sail will crack the finish of the material which qui

ckly reduces the life of the sail. Purchasing a Optimist sail and spar bag is highly recommended and

are available through your local dealer.

5. M

ake sur

e to regularly inspect your sail for loose or torn stitching or small tears in the cloth. Have

any stitching or tears repaired by a local sailmaker before they become more of a problem.

Before

Launching:

* Wear your life jacket

Make sure that you

are wearing the

ppropriate clothing

for the conditions that

you are sailing in

* Be sure to check the

eather report before

going sailing

* Stay hydrated and

ring plenty of water

* Wear plenty of

unscreen

* M

ake sure that all

thr

ee air bags are fully

inflated

* Depending on the depth of the water,

begin to slide the

daggerboard into the

trunk. Once you are in

deep enough water

lower completely

* H

ave Fun!

Fact or Fiction:

The original design of

the Optimist was

odeled after the

popular shape of the

classic soapbox racer?

Visit

www.teamvanguard.com

to submit your answer

to the Optimist “Fact

or Fiction” question

and register to be

entered into a raffle

drawing.

hen you approach shallow water, begin to pull up the daggerboard as much as possible without obstructing the boom and remove the rudder. After hopping out of the boat, detach the mainsheet shackle from the bridle. Remove the daggerboard and rudder and place it in the cockpit. It is suggested to rinse your boat and sails with fresh water especially if you are sailing in salt water. It is also suggested to allow the sail to dry before rolling. After drying, untie the mast retaining line and release the lower sprit halyard. Remove the sprit. Untie the knot in the end of the vang line, remove t

he line from the cleat. Untie one end of the boom jaw retainer and secure the free end around one of the sail ties. Keeping the boom jaw retainer attached to the boom will help reduce the risk of losing the line. Un-hook the boom from the mast. It is suggested to remove the sail from the mast and boom and roll separately. A Optimist sail/spar bag is a convenient way to safely store your sail and spars.

It is also highly suggested to purchase covers for both the hull and blades in order to protect your boat f

rom natural elements. A wide variety of accessories are available for purchase through your local Vanguard dealer.

e-rigging:

Sail Care:

SEITECH dollies are the easy-to-use, light-weight, small boat

transportation solution. The Optimist dolly has been designed specifically to fit and support the shape of the hull. SEITECH dollies allow you to spend less time getting your boat to and from the water and more time on the water.

www

.seitech.com

d equips our Optimist with th

e hi

est quality parts available from the top suppliers. We partner with key suppliers such as English Braids, North Sails and Harken to develop top of the line dinghy equipment so your boat will perform at the highest level with the factory supplied rope, sails, and har

war

. Sh

op at an authorized Vanguard Dealer to be sure you are getting genuine Vanguard parts and

accessories. Visit www

.teamvanguard.com to find your local dealer.