Want new Sunfish

ocatjack

New Member
I am getting back into sailing after an 8 year hiatus and buying a new sunfish. Last boat sailed was a Laser, but now am older and want a less athletic boat. Problem is sunfish are not readily available and it may take 2 weeks to several months to obtain a new boat. Anyone have any ideas why it is hard to get this boat?
I am impatient, summer days are dwindling down. I want to get on the lake.
 
Call Laser Performance and ask whether any Worlds boats have come back to the States.

Background: at least 50 new boats were shipped to Italy, but I don't know how many remained over there. Except for the practice day, it's my impression that the winds were light during the races. Hence, the boats should be in good shape, except for the daggerboards :)eek:).
 
I wouldn't buy new unless you're really looking into racing. I would look on craigslist for a newer boat or even an older one in good condition; you may find one for thousands less than new, perhaps even race-rigged with a trailer.
 
Hey ocatjack,

I'm in the market for a Sunfish too, and looks like we're in the same area. You are totally right about the market here, it's probably even worse where I am. I don't have much advice, but I wanted to say hello. If I can get my hands on a boat, SYC is the closest yacht club for me so maybe I'll see you there.

Wavedancer,

How can we find out about the Worlds boats? I'd jump on one of those!
 
Thanks for the tip Wavedancer. I checked Craig's List and found a world raced sunfish at Tackle Shack Water Sports. They can ship today and hopefully I'll be on the water this week. I am so excited!
 
I'm in the market for a Sunfish too, and looks like we're in the same area. You are totally right about the market here, it's probably even worse where I am.

Wavedancer,
How can we find out about the Worlds boats? I'd jump on one of those!

Call Laser Performance (LP) and ask them about the Worlds boats. Some dealers (like TackleShack) get them, others aren't interested, it seems. The LP US factory is in Portsmouth RI ( try 401-683-0960). I am curious to find out why the supply of Sunfishes is so limited; I was under the impression that boat sales were down.
 
Call Laser Performance (LP) and ask them about the Worlds boats. Some dealers (like TackleShack) get them, others aren't interested, it seems. The LP US factory is in Portsmouth RI ( try 401-683-0960). I am curious to find out why the supply of Sunfishes is so limited; I was under the impression that boat sales were down.

I just called LP. The sales rep I spoke with was very friendly and patient with all my questions. The 2010 Worlds boats aren't back yet. He said he would be happy to sell me a boat, but that my nearest LP dealer would be able to get a Worlds boat as well.

I don't think the market is limited, I think it has more to do with where I live. The nearest authorized dealer is about a 2.5 hour drive. I'm just going to have to be patient, save some cash, and pick up a cheaper used boat. I get a little ahead of myself sometimes. :eek:
 
Check Craigslist. You can often find a boat that is a couple of years old and in practically new condition for half the price of new. I've seen 2008's that have been used 10 times go for $2500 for example.
 
I bought a like-new 1983 boat, a month or so ago, which has only been in the water twice. It cost me $1200 and included a galvanized trailer, a near perfect Sunrise sail, and Race-Lite blocks. The spars are pretty nice too--a few scratches--nothing compared to typical banged up Sunfish spars. The boards are perfect, like new.

As others have said, that is what you want for racing. So now I have a racing platform but have to find the time to get out on the race course. If you are not racing, find any good used boat. Lots of them available. I've seen like new used boats for as little as $1500, if you can wait. More often they go for $2000-$2200 for newer boats with the new style racing stripe down the middle. Personally I love the look of those boats. But I don't want to pay a premium for that style.

A good quality used boat will go for $800 to $1000, perhaps less if it needs a bit of work, like a new sail, or other small parts.

A good indication of the newness of a sail is the condition of the logo. This is from a boat sailed only twice. I know for sure the boat was registered in only two years. Most of the damage to the boat was from storage--some spray paint on the deck, easily sanded off, and a oil stained sail bag--the sail has a few small grease spots. The boat itself has near perfect spars, practically no scratches on the bottom.
Dixie852.jpg

The spars are my nicest, and I plan to move my racing sail over to these at some point. Or perhaps I'll put some numbers on it and use it as a backup racing sail.
Blackjack865.jpg

Note the plastic deck protector on the tack!
Blackjack870.jpg

Race-Lite Blocks! I just unrolled this sail for the first time today. I was thinking about selling this sail, now I plan to keep it.
Blackjack866.jpg

Probably the nicest 27 year old Sunfish sail around. The red boat shown below is NOT the new boat. The red boat is a $150 1960's boat I made purchased recently. I did not want another boat, but I like working on these boats, so I could not pass it up.
Blackjack862.jpg
 
Re: Want new Sunfish, now have Sunfish

I got my Sunfish today. Darn it, it has a damaged parts from shipping, but claim has been made. Just a little rain on my party and not to be discouraged by these matters.

Tip of centerboard broken and small damage in gelcoat. I'm going sailing.
 
Re: Want new Sunfish, now have Sunfish

I got my Sunfish today. Darn it, it has a damaged parts from shipping, but claim has been made. Just a little rain on my party and not to be discouraged by these matters.

Tip of centerboard broken and small damage in gelcoat. I'm going sailing.


Show us some pictures of you new boat! And see if you can get a few of yourself sailing it from shore or another boat.
 
My new sunfish is a 2009 that was raced in 2008 Worlds Buffalo Canoe Club. The number is 3809. I cannot find race results or race conditions. Where can I find?:mad:

The boat was in great shape with crisp sails until they shipped and damaged the hull and centerboard. I do plan to sail it today and will take some photos
 
My new sunfish is a 2009 that was raced in 2008 Worlds Buffalo Canoe Club. The number is 3809. I cannot find race results or race conditions. Where can I find?:mad:

The boat was in great shape with crisp sails until they shipped and damaged the hull and centerboard. I do plan to sail it today and will take some photos

Looking forward to some pictures.


Call or Write them:

The Buffalo Canoe Club
4475 Erie Road, R.R. #1, Ridgeway, ON, Canada, L0S 1N0
Club Phone Number: 905-894-2750

or try the Sunfish Class Association
 
My new sunfish is a 2009 that was raced in 2008 Worlds Buffalo Canoe Club. The number is 3809. I cannot find race results or race conditions. Where can I find?:mad:


http://www.sunfishclass.org/worlds/
(and scroll down a bit for the 2008 report)

Sorry to read about the damage to your almost new boat...

PS: if you are serious about racing, it will benefit you to become a member of the Class (ISCA).

 

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