Sunfish Gatherings

Hey everyone!,
I finally picked up a copy of the sunfish bible and it got here about 2 weeks ago, man id wish i got this earlier, what a great book. Anyway i was reading about the Connecticut river (race/outing?) and i thought that it sounded like a lot of fun. Id love to be able to gather with some other sunfish sailors and have a nice not (too) competitive sail. i Googled this and nothing turned up, does it still happen? are there any other big sunfish gatherings that are just for the fun of it? Thanks guys, ~Tim

No more gatherings, the Sunfish era is over. Some states have a law to to make park rangers break up any sunfish regattas, pretty much game over. I even saw a pile of old hulls in the corner of a boatyard as they were not sailed anymore so somebody I guess just bulldozed them into a big pile until they can be destroyed.



















Sorry, just messing with ya. There are so many Sunfish events I can't imagine not finding any. I live in New Mexico and usually see 2-3 Sunfish every time I go out, and there are hardly any boats here as it is. I am sure some of the others here on the site can help you in your area.

Erik

Well i know that there are a lot of races, but im talking about non competitive gatherings, or not as competitive races just to have fun and meet some other sunfish gurus.

The CT River Race was a competition and gathering. I think that theme runs true in almost all Sunfish Regattas on the schedule. The class is very social and friendly. This is definitely something that differentiates it from other classes.

Sadly, the CT River Race no longer exists. However, I have heard several people on this forum express an interest in such an event. So, there might be the critical mass to do it again. A year or so ago, there was a guy who wrote about his adventure sailing down the Hudson River in a similar manner to the CT River Race.

My guess is that you are looking for events that are non-traditional, where you are not rounding a bunch of buoys on a fixed course. One of the most famous events like that is the Around Shelter Island Race. It dates back to the same period as the CT River Race, and still has active participation today. The Shelter Island Race is a distance event around Shelter Island. It is run every summer by the Southold YC on Long Island.

There are other events like these, but most are done at the grass roots level and not very well advertised because of the logistics and liability of hosting such events. Unfortunately, gone is the day when you could do this sort of thing without worrying about losing everything you own.

Fun gatherings where I am at usually involve any sail boat - if it sails you show up. Its fun sailing with the big boats as I could do circles around them while talking. A few Sunfish show up along with 5-10 other day sailors.

I found out by talking to all the other sailors - they invited me to sail their gatherings. Just get out on the water and be social, and you will find the fun.

Where are you at? Some on the forum might be able to point you in the direction.

Erik

Cape Cod. There is a pretty active sunfish fleet at a local lake here, infact the worlds have been held here a couple time in the past years, once at that lake (lake wequaquet) and once at hyannis (the day after i got my sunfish. Unfortunately i didn't know until the day after so i missed out on watching it.) I was thinking of organizing a cape cod sunfish event this summer, that will open to anyone who would want to come. It would probably be set up like that island race, where it would be a race around a little peninsula or island. (for the cape people Im thinking about sampsons island in o-ville) with maybe a little cookout back on shore. Id really like to meet some other sunfish sailors who live around me who i can talk to and maybe call up to go sailing with some times. Id also thought it would be cool to travel somewhere and meet some sailors from all over. The idea of having my own event is daunting because it is a lot to organize by myself, id need help. Speaking of my stomping grounds who here on this forum is from the cape?

There are definitely a large number of sailors near you. I suggest you contact Lee Parks and Paul Fendler. Both are members of the WLYC. Lee is a leader in US Sailing and member of the Sunfish Class. Paul is one of the organizers of the WLYC Annual Regatta and a former Sunfish World Champion.

In addition, there is also a person named Nat Philbrick who last I heard lives on Nantucket. He might be a good person to contact about a distance race to Nantucket. (Maybe to one day, and back the other).

Finally, you should get in touch with Eric Woodman. Eric is the class's New England Regional Representative. Eric will be able to put you in touch with various people in the area.

I will send you their contact information off the public forum.

The 2008 Salt Ponds Archipelago Rally is this Saturday (Nov 22) in Wakefield, RI. I suspect it is exactly the type of event you are looking for.