Sunfish with my lady friend?

Brettbat

New Member
Hello everyone,

I am new here, and in fact new to sailing. Yes, at 45 I am going to fulfill my lifelong dream of learning to sail. I have read dozens of how to books, and I have several friends who are saying to just get a boat and get out there and do it.

I have decided to take a few lessons in dinghy sailing prior to just getting out there and doing it.

I've very interested in getting a Sunfish, and I do have the funds to get a new one RIGHT THIS MINUTE! But, I do have a lady friend that I would like to take sailing with me from time to time.

We live on Puget Sound near Seattle. I'm 6'0 240, my lady is 5'6 130. Can a Sunfish handle that weight, just for recreational sailing?

Thank you in advance for your replies.

Brett
 
This past weekend I sailed with my 13 year old daughter. In order for us to tack, she needed to lay face down by the daggerboard trunk so she wouldn't get in the way. Sailing with 2 people can be a little difficult unless there's little or no wind.
 
I'm 5' 11'' - 230... so close to your size. It will be very uncomfortable, very quickly with two of you on a Sunfish. The weight is no problem... we've had 11-12 kids on a Sunfish at sailing camp and it still floats, but something like a daysailer would be much more comfortable. The other possibility would be to buy two nice used Sunfish (which you could certainly do for the price of a new one) and you can each have your own...
 
We live on Puget Sound near Seattle. I'm 6'0 240, my lady is 5'6 130. Can a Sunfish handle that weight, just for recreational sailing? Thank you in advance for your replies. Brett
There's probably no easier boat to learn to sail: Sunfish is credited with being "The sailboat that taught America how to sail".

For recreational sailing, the Sunfish halyard can be readily adjusted to raise the "rig" (sail and spars) to clear "the crew". A friend suggested a modified barrel hitch (see attachment), which makes adjustment up/down as easy as shaking hands.

The "ladies" seem to read books while sailing. Getting wet happens on a Sunfish, although I know nothing about sailing conditions on Puget Sound. I hate to put anyone "off" a Sunfish, but for the money, a roomier "sailing dinghy" would be better. Some days I'd like a Windmill or Thistle to sail with crew, but there are many, many, newer boats available.
http://tinyurl.com/phdom4o
 

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There's probably no easier boat to learn to sail: Sunfish is credited with being "The sailboat that taught America how to sail".

For recreational sailing, the Sunfish halyard can be readily adjusted to raise the "rig" (sail and spars) to clear "the crew". A friend suggested a modified barrel hitch (see attachment), which makes adjustment up/down as easy as shaking hands.

The "ladies" seem to read books while sailing. Getting wet happens on a Sunfish, although I know nothing about sailing conditions on Puget Sound. I hate to put anyone "off" a Sunfish, but for the money, a roomier "sailing dinghy" would be better. Some days I'd like a Windmill or Thistle to sail with crew, but there are many, many, newer boats available.
http://tinyurl.com/phdom4o
It would be highly advisable that your lady also knows how to sail so she can move in the right directions and can anticipate tacks, etc. Two on a Sunfish is not a "cocktail sail" unless there's very little wind.

Fred
 
I regularly go sailing in my Sunfish with my brother - 155 lbs & 5' 9" and 170 lbs & 5' 11" with no problems, even in fairly stiff winds (up to 25 mph). One person handles the sail and the other the tiller. If one person is simply a passenger it's a little more of a challenge.
 
I'm similar to your size, and my wife is similar to your lady friend's size. as others mentioned, it certainly isn't the roomiest way to sail, but it is very much an option, and can be quite fun. as LVW mentioned, you can always adjust the halyard location to raise the sail up and give you more head room during tacks. I've sailed my Sunfish a bit with other adults, and often take children out to sail - as young as 5 years or so all the way up to teenage years.
 

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