With a bare hull weight of just 99 pounds and a beam of 3.74 feet, it’s a minimalist singlehander intended for a recommended crew weight of 143 pounds, with a ceiling of 198 pounds. That places it firmly in the junior and small-adult development niche rather than among recreational family dinghies.
Design and Construction
The hull is built using twin-sheet thermoforming technology. This process distinguishes the O’pen Bic from rotomolded boats and allows for a true hull-to-deck joint that rotomolding wouldn’t permit.
Together with the polyethylene shell, that joint gives the boat a reputation for durability and makes it well suited to sailing from a rocky beach. A molded nose guard protects the bow from abrasion where groundings are most likely. The rudder and centerboard are composite epoxy, a step up from the shell’s all-plastic construction.
Rig and Sail Plan
The cat rig carries 48 square feet of sail. Full-length battens and a fat-head cut give it a high-tech appearance. Combined with the light hull, the sail’s planform helps the O’pen Bic behave like a small performance dinghy rather than a tubby trainer.
Handling and Seaworthiness
One of the O’pen Bic’s defining traits is that it can’t be swamped, removing the usual drowning hazard posed by a capsized dinghy. When it does go over—and the design assumes it will—it’s very easy to right. That makes it a forgiving platform for sailors within its intended weight range.
The daggerboard keel type and light displacement also keep the boat maneuverable in the hands of a child or small adult.
The Verdict
The O’pen Bic is a purpose-built introductory performance dinghy: nearly unsinkable, quick to right, and tough enough for beach launching. Its thermoformed construction and epoxy appendages are unusual for a boat of this size, contributing to both its durability and clean appearance.
Pros
- Can’t be swamped and is very easy to right after a capsize
- Twin-sheet thermoformed hull with a true hull-to-deck joint
- Durable polyethylene shell and bow nose guard for rocky beaches
- Composite epoxy rudder and centerboard
- Modern fat-head rig with full-length battens
Cons
- Beam of only 3.74 feet limits stability for heavier sailors
- Recommended crew weight tops out at 198 pounds
