With the introduction of carbonfibre masts there has been renewed interest in developments in the OK class. However, the class has done everything possible to keep costs down as this is one of the great features of an OK – you can buy a competitive boat for £1,000 and race in high quality international fleets.

Proctor and Superspars have both developed fast carbonfibre masts for around £700 which is very reasonable considering the life of a OK mast is 10 years plus because the unstayed rig means it is not under major loads. These masts have already shown their international competitiveness with Jim Hunt finishing fourth at the Europeans with a Proctor mast and Terry Curtis eighth with a Superspar.

Also great news is that home built carbon masts are competitive, with JP Williams producing masts for £650 giving Tony Thresher excellent boatspeed. Tony also showed that 20-year-old hulls can be competitive, fantastic news for anyone wanting quality racing on a budget.

This year the weight range at the nationals makes it look like the OK is an exclusively 85-90kg club. However, with flexibility in mast bend and sail shape the OK does not have a narrrow weight range like the Laser. Reigning world champion Nitin Mongia is 100kg and European champion Bart Bomans is a lean 80kg – should prove an interesting battle at next years worlds at Parkstone in the UK.

For further information on the OK class, contact class secretary Andy Turner on andy.turner@essexcc.gov.uk