Design and Construction
The hull is produced through twin-sheet thermoforming technology, a process that sets it apart from rotomolded boats and allows a true hull-to-deck joint that rotomolding would not permit twin-sheet thermoforming technology. That joint, combined with the polyethylene shell, gives the boat a reputation for being very durable and easy to sail off a rocky beach. A molded nose guard at the bow adds abrasion protection where groundings are most likely. The rudder and centerboard are composite epoxy, a step up from the all-plastic structure of the shell itself.
Rig and Sail Plan
The cat rig carries 48 square feet of sail with full-length battens and a fat-head cut that gives it a high-tech appearance. The sail's planform and the light hull combine to make a boat that behaves like a small performance dinghy rather than a tubby trainer.
Handling and Seaworthiness
One of the defining traits of the O'pen Bic is that you cannot swamp it, which removes the usual drowning hazard of a capsized dinghy. When it does go over — and the design assumes it will — it can be very easily righted, making it a forgiving platform for the weight range it targets. The daggerboard keel type and the light displacement keep it 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 at this size and account for both its durability and its clean look.
Pros
- Cannot be swamped and very easily righted after capsize
- Twin-sheet thermoformed hull with a true hull-to-deck joint
- Durable polyethylene shell with 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
