Dotan's rudder will make your Optimist sailing experience much more enjoyable.

Dotan's conceptually brilliant rudder mechanism enables you to set the blade with a simple flick of the wrist. The technique is simple. You don't need a degree in rocket science to master it. You'll pick it up in a flash. Adult, teen and child will take to it like a fish to water!

The rudder system operates as follows:

• To lift the rudder blade and secure it in the upright position - tiller up and momentarily return it to the original position.
• Repeat the move to bring the rudder blade down.
• Keep the tiller up for midway position in shallow water.

To set the blade vertically:

After pushing off from shore, grab the tiller and flick your wrist up and down in a 1-2 action; the blade immediately drops down and locks in its vertical position. The Dotan rudder's wrist action takes a second to perform. With the Dotan rudder, you don't need to look back and concentrate on the task, as you must do with many other rudders. With the Dotan rudder, you're free to keep your eyes focused on what's up ahead of you. This can be critically important when you need to negotiate out of a crowded and cluttered harbor, or when you don't want a wave to hit you broadside. It can save you money that you might have had to spend on repairs.

Encountering obstacles When hitting underwater obstacles such as rocks, sandbanks, jellyfish, etc., the blade automatically kicks up. Lift and lower the tiller with a flick of your wrist and the blade immediately reverts to its vertical, functioning position.

To set the blade horizontally after beaching:

You don't need to do a thing; the rudder blade automatically kicks up as you hit the shore. Then push down on the tiller to set the blade in a fully horizontal position. To preserve the lower blade from abrasion that can occur when hitting the shore, it's recommended to lift the blade with a simple flick of the wrist before hitting the shore, then fixing the blade in the horizontal position.