Maintenance

When buying a Winner Optimist you get a refined sport implement, built within the tolerance of the class rules, the intention to attain the best possible competition effect. Please handle your dinghy with extra care as it is constructed with competition in view and this does not stand the same kind of handling as an ordinary dinghy. To get the optimal pleasure of your dinghy, kindly note the following advises regarding the handling. Failure of correct handling will affect the performance of the boat and perhaps cause permanent damages and defects for which we are not responsible.

Please  Observe the following:

To be stored frost – proof.
Take care that the bottom is not put under spot pressure.
Do not cover with PVC cover, plastic or similar, which does not permit water diffusion.

Do not grind on gel-coat layer.
Any major reparation of the boat - which involves grinding and remodelling – is only to be carried out by Winner or the guarantee repeals.

Only polish by hand using approved boat wax.
In case of damages and fractures of the gel-coat layer, the fibreglass lamination must be prevented from absorbing water.
Do not expose the boat to high heating stresses.
Clean, polish and wax the boat at least once a year.

Always use a lifejacket and only sail under supervision of fully qualified adults.

Advise

Wash your boat with fresh water after use.
Stored in a dry place.
Do not over-inflate the airbags – they may burst in the sun + take out some air in your airbags, transporting your Optimist in the Alpes, or they might burst! (explode)
 

Lifting your Optimist

Empty the boat for water and equipment.
Lift only your boat by the outer gunwale.
Stored on a padded surface.
 

Transporting your Optimist

Make sure that the roof-racks are securely mounted on the car.
Transport your Optimist upside down. And best with a top and bottom cover – which protects the boat from dirt, stone throw and saves fuel!
Do not tie the Optimist too tight to the roof racks – small cracks in the gel coat could accour.
Check the height of garage before parking your car with the boat on top of it ☺
If you follow these instructions you should be sure to enjoy your Winner optimist for many years.

Gelcoat / Repair

The year of production on every Winner Optimist build from 1989 can be seen on the outside stern (back) to the right. An 8-digit EUH number is incraved in the boat. The last four digits is the month and year (mm-yy) of production.
An example: If the boat says "EUH 0965 0401", it is a boat produced in April of 2001.
Please write down this number before contacting us or our dealers.
Topcoat/gelcoat
 

Standard colour on gunwale and hull:

3D STAR off white No. 8008 / 8008
FLEX off white No. 8008 / 8008
RACE off white No. 8003 / 8008
 

Speciel colours on gunwale / sides:

Red No. 2006
Yellow No. 3212
Light Grey No. 8003
Medium Grey No. 8404
Dark Grey No. 8064
Purple No. 7306
Dark Purple No. 7302
Light blue No. 7008
Medium blue No. 7007
Dark blue No. 7006

DenMark 9 White No. 8008 / 8008
DenMark 10 Purple No. 7306 / 8008
DenMark 8 Light Purple No. 7308 / 8008
DenMark11 off white No. 8008 / 8008
DenMark12 off white No. 8008 / 8008
DenMark12Ti Ti Grey No. 90443 / 90443
DenMark 12Ti off white No. 8008 / 8008

On WinnerOptimists from before 1990
"Old" white White No. 0127
Other colours than above can be procured - ask for further details.

How to repair small damages?

1. The area of damage should be thoroughly cleaned. Loose particles should be scraped or sanded down. Minor damage or scratches need only to be cleaned with acetone.

2. An appropriate amount of gelcoat in the original colour of the boat, should be mixed with 1-2.5% peroxide/hardner. Minimum temperature whilst filling, + 15C

3. Apply gelcoat with a flexible steel trowel and allow to cure for 4-8 hours (depending on temperature).

4. Rub down repaired areas tightly with 120 or 220 grit sandpaperwaterproof, until all uneveness is removed. Finish by lightly sanding with 1000 grade wet sandpaper or a finer grade.

5. If necessary, apply further quantities of gelcoat several times before finishing off with 1000 grade wet sandpaper.

6. Avoid sanding outside of the damaged area as one can easily rub through the coloured surface to expose the uncoloured laminate beneath and therefore increase the area of damage.

7. After sanding down, polish to a mirror finish using a fine rubbing compound and a good wax polish.
 

See this our fix scratches guide here..

Or you can see our “how to” video on YouTube.

You can also see our special guide on "How to fix Low friction bottom"

IMPORTANT!

Stop work when gelcoat begins to harden. Tools should be cleaned with acetone. Store gelcoat and hardener in a cool, dry place. The hardener is very corrosive, use gloves and protective goggles. Be careful with gelcaot/mixtures of hardener making sure they do not come in contact with skin or eyes. In case of accident, seek medical help *Immediately.

STORE OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN! DO NOT ALLOW EMPTY CONTAINERS TO COME INTO THE HANDS OF CHILDREN!