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Board stays all the way down going to windward. It is already just barely large enough, even the newest version. If you are out in a gnarly gale without a Jens rig, maybe up six inches. But that is to survive, not race. Most folks pull it up a little too much on reaches. Note the wake. It should...

Back to the original question about 2005 sails. I set the sail up according to the printed suggestions. What a difference. In the Florida Regionals Saturday races I managed 1-2-5-1 in nice breeze. (Uh, the race 4 first was not "beeped" when I crossed the line. Those of us who followed the...

Uh, I mean the 2013 'new' sails seem to be the same as my 2005 'new' sail. Typed too fast. Yea, that's it. Dave Ellis

More draft everywhere, not just the foot. And the draft is placed well, not just 'there' to be a full sail. My original question was whether my 2005 white sail with window was the same shape as a new 2013 sail that many seemed to have at the Master Worlds. I think mine is the same. I just had it...

I've been sailboat racing for a very long time. I think I am qualified to see sail shape diffences. (I'm an official 505 sail measurer, among other things,) I did see a difference in the sail cross section shapes at the Master Worlds in Tampa this year. Some of the crispy new sails seemed...

Uh, no, if I am to race the Sunfish it must be the official sail. No choice. If it were not I would make my own sail! Dave Ellis

I am getting back into Sunfish racing after a 23 year absence. My 2005 boat, foils and spars are excellent. The 2005 sail seems quite good too. But at the Master Worlds in Florida this weekend I saw lots of new, crisp sails that sure did look fuller and with better shape than mine. Significantly...

Finally had good wind for the two races on Sunday. Produced different winners, of course. Results https://www.regattatech.com/events/DIYC/SunfishIntlMaster13/scoring/showResultsRoster

I still have the little towing gadget that went on the back of my 1966 VW Beatle. Towed a trailer all the way from Washington, DC to Southern California. Then towed a classic Moth all over So. Cal. for two years. No problems. Your VW has much more power than that little engine of the past. Dave...

Make sure you sail up into Soldier's Hole. There always seems to be something interesting in that inlet into the belly of Mullet Key, the boomerang-shaped island that is the largest in the park. Same with Bunce's Pass. Great sailing area. Keep your eyes open for all kinds of sea creatures. The...

Nice pictures. I could picture the tide coming up from that very low state and the Sunfish ending up in Mexico! An hour or so north of you near Englis and Yankeetown, just north of the now-closed nuke electric plant at Chrystal River is a very good, popular launch ramp. It is actually on the...

Thanks for the reply. Be aware that all these suggestions were used, and is what any high performance boat sailor would have to know. While it is known that it is weather helm that causes the rudder to "load up", I have come to the conclusion that there is no way to negate the effect completely...

Not the same gal. Linda Tillman sails the Sunfish. Her husband Dick Tillman (yes, THE Dick Tillman) has sailed Lasers and Sunfish (and J-24, etc.) forever. They are both excellent sailors and now in the Great Grand Master catagory. It is always a pleasure being on the same waters with each of...

Yes, a cavitation plate that would keep air from migrating down the rudder would work. But again, its a Sunfish! You are 'talking' with a guy who has designed, built and modified sailing craft for 60 years. My pram had a bowsprit and jib in 1950. But, now it is time to just go sailing, and...

Oh, yes, we don't need any more expensive "upgrades." A new style dagger board and a new 'glass rudder and a new sail, oh, and a new tiller and a ratchet block and fancy line and a carbon tiller exrtension. Add it up and it costs about as much as I paid for my 2005 Sunfish. With Sietech dolly...

Yes, I put the rudder on the boat while on the trailer here in the back yard. If I tie the tiller off to a tree and twist on the bottom of the rudder blade the liller gives a little, but the blade also twists. It is enough to notice. Obviously, it takes a bit of ooomph to make it happen. Just as...

I come from a higher performance sailing background, starting with Suicides back in the day, then Flying Dutchman, Contender, Windmill and finally a Raider Turbo. Recently got back into the Sunfish after twenty years away. Getting older (68) but can still sail this little boat. Somebody said...

No comments, eh. Maybe nobody else has gone so fast!? I think it is a factor of the boom being way off to the lee side, by design, and high winds makes for weather helm. At considerable speed the rudder loses its 'bite'. I'll just deal with it. Dave Ellis

I took the Sunfish out for a couple hours at Gulfport Yacht Club today. Great breeze from the south. Some holes in the wind, but gusting to near 30. Average around 18. I love this stuff and do well in it. But, on a reach in the big puffs, while really going fast, the rudder 'breaks loose,"...

When boats with jib/genny sail in after a race it is noted that the expereienced sailors let the main out over the corner of the transom when the fore sail is dropped. This was the case with everything from J/24 to Snipe. Those who kept their main in the middle were soon passed in the important...