Recent content by cnovark

Gah! You tie the halyard to the upper spar in a different spot.

The other week I was out and a sudden squall popped up. Went from 10-15 to 20-25 with some gusts up to 30. I went over and couldn't right. Well, I righted once and it went right back over (it was the end of a race and I didn't put it into the wind because I thought I could maybe do this quickly...

I'm not sure if someone has already said this, or if you've already tried it, but I always have to grab the opposite inside lip of the cockpit when I'm boarding. I'm short (almost 5'3) and cannot reach the opposite side, but I can grab the cockpit and pull myself in that way. Also, I have no...

Go sailing with the halyard cleated to the mast, but forget to cleat it to the deck. Capsize. ;)

Cockpit storage means 72 or newer I believe. I can't make out the serial number very well.

Praddle for the win! I don't think I could be more enthusiastic about the praddle if I had invented it myself. You can steer with the tiller while you paddle!

Well this is probably obvious, but step the mast before you launch the boat if you can. I've only had to step the mast on the water a couple of times, and never at the dock, but it's not a ton of fun. I have the mast stepped and the halyard looped around my mast cleat so I don't lose it, and a...

Sounds great! I would say shop around a little for a used boat because sometimes you can find amazing deals (newish boat with trailer and dolly and extras for a thousand or two less than new). I don't think I would ever buy a brand new boat just because I would end up crying at every scratch...

Woohoo! I'm in Houston but will definitely make the trip to watch if not to race.

Could you set a short course and use like bright orange Tide bottles or something as marks? You would still need line and anchor to hold them in place but I would think you could fit one or two in the cockpit and sail to set them. Would still take time but you wouldn't need the cmt boat.

I race a Catalina 22 and I think it's just about the perfect boat. The owner dry sails it--stores it on a trailer mast up in a boat yard with the rest of the fleet. I agree that you should look at what active fleets there are in your area, for lots of reasons (resale parts, help, racing). There...

I do recommend an oar, specifically the praddle: http://www.intensitysails.com/pradlle.html Very easy to use. It's one handed so you can use the tiller at the same time. The other ideas here are great. I would say start with the praddle and gloves, then a block and nicer lines, then a tiller...

I think some of the reason people recommend the new style is that if something breaks it's easier to get replacement parts for the new one. By old here I mean pre 72 (I believe).

The guys I sail with make fun of me for pulling my Sunfish with a full size truck (this is Texas). I drive a Honda Fit, and would tow with it, but I'm still paying for it and it would void the warranty. I will say that I cannot see any part of the boat or trailer when I'm pulling it with the...

My understanding is that the daggerboard is essential for righting the boat. A lot of people (myself included) rig a bungee or something to keep that sucker in. I have about 6 (?) feet of bungee type cord tied to the board and then I clip it around the mast. Then the daggerboard sticks out...