Recent content by Brian Duchon

  1. Brian Duchon

    Showing off my refinished 79 Sunfish

    Not sure the exact length of my tiller but I do know that it was the stock tiller until I cut it down by about 6 inches. I wanted to be able to sit at the back of the cockpit and not interfere with the tiller so I shortened it. Over the winter I added the tiller extension which doubles the...
  2. Brian Duchon

    Showing off my refinished 79 Sunfish

    I'll give it a try and keep you posted.
  3. Brian Duchon

    Showing off my refinished 79 Sunfish

    Update on the tiller tensioner. I figured a rather simple solution that should address my issue. I used some shock cord between the bridle eyelets. I then attached a small j-hook to the underside of the tiller. You can pull the cord up to slip it over the j-hook giving it enough tension to...
  4. Brian Duchon

    Showing off my refinished 79 Sunfish

    I guess the term "tied down" is inaccurate. What I really mean is putting some pressure on the tiller so that it doesn't move on it's own. I envision it still allowing me to adjust the tiller as needed the same as without the shock cord. Correct, the daggerboard shockcord does not need...
  5. Brian Duchon

    Showing off my refinished 79 Sunfish

    The boat already has a cam cleat for the mainsheet. If that is locked in there is already the risk of gost sailing the boat. Just a question of if it goes in a straight line or in circles.
  6. Brian Duchon

    Showing off my refinished 79 Sunfish

    Got a chance to do some sailing over the holiday weekend. I visited nearby Walborn Reservoir. For a Sunday, holiday weekend it was not very busy and the sun, temperature and wind were perfect. I ended up sailing around for about 2 hours. I covered 3.5 nautical miles with a max speed of 7...
  7. Brian Duchon

    Showing off my refinished 79 Sunfish

    I noticed again last weekend that whenever I let go of the tiller it turns to one extreme or the other. Not a huge issue since I rarely let go of the tiller completely but in the event I need to adjust the halyard or deal with another issue it would be nice to know that it will stay straight or...
  8. Brian Duchon

    Showing off my refinished 79 Sunfish

    I have not. Still a bit too cold to purposely get in the water. That said I am not too concerned with a potential capsize. Everything is lashed into eyelets in the cockpit, floats and is waterproof. The GPS, Marine Radio and Speaker are also ruggedly built so no real concerns there...
  9. Brian Duchon

    Showing off my refinished 79 Sunfish

    West Branch Lake is a good one. I also hit Lake Milton and Berlin Lake. Further south is Atwood Lake which is popular with sailors but I have not been there yet. One thing I am looking for is some sort of tiller tamer for a sunfish. Just not sure how I would run the lines and where to mount...
  10. Brian Duchon

    Showing off my refinished 79 Sunfish

    The Kayak might be doable. Still working on that one. The trailer could be turned into a double decker with a little fabrication. I also have a Stand Up Paddle Board that I can fit on a ladder rack I constructed out of pressure treated lumber. Also enough room up there for a kayak. The...
  11. Brian Duchon

    Showing off my refinished 79 Sunfish

    Thanks! I would love to get started on another restoration. I actually thought about looking for an old Sail Fish board to restore. That said I value my life more, my wife would kill me if I bring home another watercraft.
  12. Brian Duchon

    Showing off my refinished 79 Sunfish

    Now we are talking! I can fit a few cold beers in the cockpit cubby in a soft sided cooler. But your post has be thinking of maybe a tap on deck? :)
  13. Brian Duchon

    Showing off my refinished 79 Sunfish

    Andy, Thanks for the compliments! It took quite a few coats of stain and poly to get the daggerboard back into shape. Good call on the paddle. I do have a folding Attwood Marine paddle that fits into the storage compartment under the deck. If you come up with any other ideas please send...
  14. Brian Duchon

    Showing off my refinished 79 Sunfish

    Thanks! I had my first outing last weekend and I noticed that anything laying on the cockpit floor was in the way. I added the extra eye strap for the speaker to keep it up and out of the way. The added benefit is you don't have to worry about losing anything in a capsize.
  15. Brian Duchon

    Showing off my refinished 79 Sunfish

    I almost overlooked the Bluetooth speaker mounted in the cockpit. I pair it with my phone stored in the port hatch. It is made by Cobra and one of the only that I could find that is truly waterproof. Also great sound to match the rugged housing.

Back
Top