Crooked bow handle?

Shoebox

New Member
Hi. I'm new to post (2nd time), but I've been lurking since last summer. I have to say I've learned so much about these boats from this forum. Thanks so much folks, truly.
Anyway, I have a decent boat and it has a bow handle that looks like it was installed by someone on drugs at the factory in '73. Anyone else have a boat with the original handle installed crooked like this?
IMG_4077.JPG
 
Well there was a Sunfish on here a few years back with the mast tube off-center and leaning to one side. If you're old enough to have been around in the early 70's you remember how U.S. made products went downhill around the time of the oil embargo. As nice a your boat looks I'd not worry about it, just think of is as a sign of the times. As we say, the only good thing about the Good Old Days is that their gone!
 
My Porpoise II (a clonefish) had a bow handle attached with straight-head bolts. (Not Phillips—not screws).

But of my three 70's Sunfish, none have a bow handle attached with screws (or bolts) with a straight-head drive. None have such a pristine trim. None have a halyard block. (Only fairleads).
yhst-70220623433298_2272_232606124


Could the above Sunfish deck actually have had an extensive repair incorporating a new—but possibly damaged/warped—bow handle?

(Not that there's anything wrong with that). ;)

.
 
Man...... thats a beautiful boat. I love that paint job. After staring at that photo for I while, looking for asymmetry, the bow handle may indeed be off just a bit - but you will be the only one that will notice it. If the handle is functional, I would leave it alone. In its current state, it does not detract from the beauty of that boat whatsoever.

Go sailing my friend.

Wishing you health and fun,
Whitecap
 
LVW,
I have three boats. My '72 and '73 (above) all have flat blade screws , but my '75 has Phillips head screws. All three boats have halyard blocks. The yellow boat is rediculously original and never tampered with. It so nice I'm not sure if I want to drill holes for a strap to mount a ratchet block.

Whitecap,
Thanks for the kind words. At first I didn't think the yellow looked that good. Wife thinks it looks like a banana, but it's growing on me. I'll put up some more pictures soon.
 
Drill the holes and mount a ratchet block - it's so much nicer than trying to sail with just the old hook.
 
Ya it's a bit off but who cares? Boat building is carpentry that allows for plenty of room for error.

That Sunfish is awesome! An original without a sunburn!
 

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