A padded bow bumper that absorbs the knocks an Optimist takes during launching, coming alongside and daily training.
- Durable foam core absorbs impact at the bow
- Heavy-duty polyester outer cover resists abrasion
- Shaped for a snug fit around the Optimist bow
- Reinforced grommet allows the painter to pass through
- Stays in place once fitted
- Reduces hull repairs across a busy season
- Suited to sailing schools, clubs and training centres
- Optiparts part number EX1065
The Optimist bow bumper is the cheapest insurance you can fit to a training boat. Optimist hulls take their worst damage at the bow, usually on pontoons and slipways rather than on the water, and polyester hulls chip quickly once the gelcoat is broken. This bumper wraps the bow in a foam core under a heavy polyester cover, so impact is spread rather than driven into the laminate. The grommet lets the painter run through as normal, so nothing has to be re-rigged. For club and school fleets on the west coast, where boats are handled by beginners and rarely get a gentle landing, it pays for itself in a season of avoided repairs.
