Optimist Spars, Rigging and Deck Hardware

Seldén is the world's largest spar manufacturer, designing and producing high-quality rigging components, deck hardware and hull parts. For Optimist, our goal is simple: provide a complete system comprising the highest-performance products possible for all levels, from early learners to world champions, while remaining reliable and good value for sailors and parents alike.

Quick Selection Guide

Seldén offers two Optimist spar systems: Club and Pro. Both share the same fittings and layout, which means sailors can progress without relearning the rig or replacing everything at once.

Training and club sailing — Optimist Club Spar Set

Durable, simple, same layout as Pro. Ideal for sailing schools and early racing.

The Optimist Club mast, boom and sprit are designed for sailing schools, clubs and sailors learning the fundamentals.

Simple, high quality and durable.
Same fittings and geometry as Pro spars.
Designed for sail-tie sails.
Spar sets are supplied complete with rig pack.

Through using the same layout and similar appearance as our Pro products, spars can be upgraded as individual sailors' needs change. For example, upgrading to a Pro Stiff boom will provide a growing sailor with more power and very similar performance to our Pro Stiff set.

Championship Racing — Optimist Pro Spar Set

The Optimist Pro system is designed for sailors competing at national and international level. It is lighter, more responsive and allows meaningful tuning based on sailor weight and conditions.

All Pro spars are manufactured from 7075 T9 aluminium alloy, hard anodised and cold drawn for accuracy. This ensures consistent bend characteristics and predictable behaviour from boat to boat.

The Pro system is available with different mast and boom flex options, because in Optimist sailing, flex is one of the most effective performance tools. If in doubt, choose the more flexible option. It makes the boat easier to sail and does not limit progression.

Pro Set Flex

The ultimate spar set for racing sailors under 40 kg.

Pro Flex Mast: Bends earlier in gusts, flattening the sail automatically. Makes the boat easier to control in stronger or gusty conditions.
Pro Flex Boom: Softer response and earlier depowering. Reduces fatigue and improves control.
Pro Sprit: Larger 28 mm tube with thin walls for extra stiffness and lighter weight.

The sprit plays a different role than the mast and boom. Testing has shown that the Optimist sprit should be stiff, while the mast and boom provide the controlled bend needed to depower the sail.

Pro Set Medium

Multiple championship-winning combination for racing sailors 40–45 kg. A very common high-performance setup. Stable boom, controlled mast bend.

Pro Flex Mast: Bends earlier in gusts, flattening the sail automatically. Makes the boat easier to control in stronger or gusty conditions.
Pro Stiff Boom: Extreme stiffness-to-weight ratio. Transfers load efficiently into the mast.
Pro Sprit: Larger 28 mm tube with thin walls for extra stiffness and lighter weight.

This is a very successful setup and can extend up to 50 kg sailors. The stiff boom and sprit work together to force bending loads into the flex mast. The mast bends predictably and the sail depowers smoothly. Bending the mast flattens the sail while keeping a tighter leech to maintain pointing.

Pro Set Stiff

Ultra stiff, yet super light: the perfect power set for racing sailors over 45 kg.

Pro Stiff Mast: Holds sail shape and power, particularly effective in medium conditions, allowing heavier sailors to power up early and hold lanes upwind. Rewards a more active and dynamic sailing style.
Pro Stiff Boom: Extreme stiffness-to-weight ratio. Transfers load efficiently into the mast.
Pro Sprit: Larger 28 mm tube with thin walls for extra stiffness and lighter weight.

Rig Packs

All Seldén spar sets are supplied with a rig pack utilising the latest hardware and rope combinations.

Optimist Deck Hardware

Seldén's Optimist deck hardware is engineered specifically for young sailors.

The Opti Sheet Block

A complete, ready-to-use sheeting system:

Soft-attachment blocks connected with Dyneema loops.
Reduced line length in the boat.
Easy installation without knots or splicing.

This makes trimming easier and faster, especially during manoeuvres.

Ratchet blocks that help, not hinder

Automatic and manual ratchet blocks with aluminium sheaves provide reliable grip with modern, thinner lines. Adjustable engagement lets sailors decide when extra holding power is needed.

A Safe Choice for Parents. A Proven Choice for Sailors.

Seldén has been designing and manufacturing spars since the 1960s. The same understanding of materials, profiles and load paths used in Olympic dinghies and yachts is applied to the Optimist class. Our world-class dealer network is ready to provide advice, experience and support.