Name the dinghy competition sparks controversy

by Helen Hopcroft on 9 Nov 2007 Sail-World recently announced a national competition to come up with a name for the new Australian made polyethylene dinghy based on the popular International Optimist Dinghy.

Following the success of the McDonald’s NameIt burger campaign OziOpti decided to leave the naming of their new training dinghy to the Australian public. Sail-World readers were asked to email their suggestions to OziOpti’s Steve Bond at stevenbond@oziopti.com.au and the winner would score a free t-shirt, bragging rights and a mention on our site.

Bond reported that he received a large number of entries and it seemed like everyone was getting into a positive ‘name the dinghy’ spirit. One person suggested that the dinghies be called ‘tubby’ in reference to the Optimists well known resemblance to a bath tub. Another wit thought that the ‘.09’ers’ would be a catchy title.

A reader named Jesse came up with the catchy name of ‘blazer’ because ‘in lovely flat water and 15 knots of breeze this boat could blaze through the water’; it also rhymes with ‘laser’ which isn’t a bad thing.

Then trouble stuck when Bond received a strongly worded email that said Australia needed another dinghy class like a bull needs tits. Effectively the correspondent was saying that Optimists were not a good training vessel and that he supported established fleets such as Sabots and Manly Juniors.

Bond acknowledges that similar criticisms of the Optimist class are not uncommon however his response was:

‘The Optimist dinghy has proved internationally to be the best boat for training kids in and for learning to sail because of its stability, sprit sail and low centre of effort.'

'Not only that, because the Optimists are traded globally the cost of the initial purchase is kept very low. And this gives more families the opportunity to get into sailing.’




He cites impressive statistics to back up his passionate defence of the class: 74% of the skippers of the medal winning boats at the 2004 Olympics were former Optimist sailors and 80% of these had sailed in IODA World or continental championships. He added that of the total number of Olympic boat-skippers it is thought that at least 60% of them were ex-Optimists, with almost 70% of these being former Optimist internationals.

‘The proof of the pudding’s is in the eating and this class provides a very good pathway through the international classes.’

If you have any strong thoughts on the matter you are welcome to email Bond and discuss.

Meanwhile the competition continues and readers are invited to contact OziOpti with their suggestions. It’s your chance to become part of maritime folklore: for generations to come kids are going to be rigging and sailing the dinghy you named.

Your great grandkids will turn to each other, point to the dinghy and say ‘the old bastard really shouldn’t have called it ‘The Slapper’…’

Here are some of the great entries OziOpti has received so far:

From Lachlan: ‘Polimist’ a merger of polyethylene and Optimist which sounds uncannily like polygamist, certain to be popular with the judges.

Ben suggested ‘The Wombat Dinghy’ in reference to the dinghies pram bow, solid construction and square shape. He also thought that ‘Joey’ or the iconic ‘Digger’ would be good names.

A Manly reader got into the spirit of the Federal election and dryly suggested that ‘you could always call it the 'Howard' and try for a couple of million in funding...’

Paul embraced New Age optimism with ‘Mystic’ and ‘Ozi-mystic.’

The competition will be closing soon and with it your chance of glory. Act now to secure your place in Australian maritime history! Contact Steve Bond on stevenbond@oziopti.com.au with your suggestions: the competition is open to anyone and everybody.

Contact details
Address : 21-23 Chessell Street
City : Southbank
State : Victoria
Postcode : 3006
Country : Australia
Phone : +61 3 9525 3788
Mobile: 0424225774
Fax : + 62 3 9525 5329
Email : stevenbond@oziopti.com.au

http://www.oziopti.com.au

Australian international optimist dinghy association
http://www.aioda.com