Recent content by jakeeper

A roll tack is a pretty advanced, from my point of view, technique. And, without understanding it completely, hard to do. (Please correct me if I'm wrong!) It involves rocking/tilting to windward as you approach and start the tack, coming-about as smoothly and quickly as possible, letting the...

Learning a Roll Tack will probably keep you out of irons, fortunately you will capsize more often!!! LOL

I learned on a sunfish and I was 11 years old and weighed about the same. ADVICE: 1) wear a life preserver, 2) get some floaty things on the top of your mast (getting righted after a capsize is harder at 76 lbs, 3) have fun in a sunfish!!!!! About the floaty things-- I've read in this...

I agree with Old Geezer, and would add that I too get stalled at some point in the process where the boat won't turn away from the wind anymore. I slowly put the rudder back amidships and let the pressure on the sail finish the job. At some point in the process the fully turned rudder only...

Thanks so much for all of the advice. Unfortunately I live in Los Angeles and the nearest Sunfish dealer I could find is in San Diego!! Annapolis Performance Sailing and West Marine has been a godsend for parts and such. I can't even find any races to enter locally. The west coast is a...

Looking at the Worlds Championship it occurs to me that if Vanguard supplies boats to the competition, they will probably have "used" boats available after the race... Hmmmm... Anyone know what happens to these boats?

Be careful about the NON waterproof lights that come with this trailer! I have burnt out many bulbs putting my boat in the water!!! Now investigating waterproof housing!

Thanks! That's all I need to know.

Hey Supercub, I've been thinking about getting a cat bag for the inspection port but I'm wary of dunking my wallet, etc... Have you capsized and still the bag was dry?

My drain plug is completely frozen, and now I have a ding in my gel coat where the screwdriver slipped. Any advice on salt disolving products and/or methods??? I already have all of the surface salt off with diluted Simple green, and elbow grease.

Thanks you guys!

Ahhh! Thanks for the tip. This is just the excuse I need to convert to the new Tiller Extension!! LOL

I'm hoping to do some racing and stumbled upon a Racing Rules of Sailing test and found out I have no clue!!! So, My question is: how much of this is really obvious once you're on the water? Are there 3 or four "guiding principles" that keep you safe, or is knowing the rules integral to the...

So, what were the suggestions you were given?? I'm thinking about making the same replacement.

North Sails is, to the best of my knowledge, the only maker of sunfish racing sails. They are white, have a window, and are a bit fuller than recreational sails. You can find them all over the internet. I have been happy with Annapolis Performance Sailing...