Sunfish Variant?
- Thread starter Alger
- Start date
"Swan" didn't work.
Could this boat already have been discussed here--and you bought it?
Meant for sailing in heavy surf?
That the builder moved the halyard directly behind mast, and relocated the mainsheet block aft tells me this has a tall rig or a lot of sail area. That the rear deck is greatly extended means the skipper had to step back pretty far to counteract a very strong pull from the main.
The sail may have a logo to search.
When it comes into your possession, enlarge the "Swan" logo on the back and let all of us try to put together the words that fit in the circle.
Please.
Could this boat already have been discussed here--and you bought it?
Meant for sailing in heavy surf?
That the builder moved the halyard directly behind mast, and relocated the mainsheet block aft tells me this has a tall rig or a lot of sail area. That the rear deck is greatly extended means the skipper had to step back pretty far to counteract a very strong pull from the main.
The sail may have a logo to search.
When it comes into your possession, enlarge the "Swan" logo on the back and let all of us try to put together the words that fit in the circle.
Please.
Last edited:
Hi, the boat in question was abandoned on a small high Sierra lake so history is unknown. Here is a photo of the logo and the original manufacturer sticker. I’ve spent hours scouring google and haven’t found anything.
Attachments
Seaotter5
Well-Known Member
The North Texas Sailing organization has the most complete list I know of that lists “Clonefish”, but nothing on it seems to fit. Is that really a fin on the stern?
Unless you are really skilled at fabricating things I’d give this boat a pass. People have trouble finding parts for Phantoms. Spare parts for this could well be unobtainium!
Sure looks kind of 1950’s cool though!
Corprin
Active Member
Hydra-Sail is the maker.
Model so far I can see is a “17-1” based on this Craigslist ad. Copied to forum for prosperity.
Model so far I can see is a “17-1” based on this Craigslist ad. Copied to forum for prosperity.
Last edited:
LaLi
Well-Known Member
Two of these indeed popped up on the Forum a few years ago. I suggested the name ”Pintailfish” back then 
Links to the threads about them:
Sunfish model identification help
I need help identifying this mutated Sunfish
_
Links to the threads about them:Sunfish model identification help
I need help identifying this mutated Sunfish
_
Hydra-Sail sailboat anyone know?
I bought a Hydro-Sail boat kinda like a Sunfish but racier, at least in looks. Its 17 feet long narrow in the beam and a point at the stern. It has a forward leaning rudder and the rudder bracket is raised a few inches giving the boat a fin look at t he stern. Its fiberglass and other than faded...
sailingforums.com
chris williams
Active Member
This is the most info we have had on this. It appears to have a new-style Sunfish rudder gudgeon, dating this to 1972 or newer. Must have a curved tiller to get the tiller down to deck level. What an unusual boat!!!
So I picked up the sail, mast, dagger board and rudder today, rigged more along the lines of a Laser, I’ll post more pics tomorrow or the next day. I need rigging, I haven’t laid out the sail yet but it seems big. It’s the original sail so if others with this boat need a replacement this could be used as a template. Thank you everyone for the information thus far! It appears to be a very interesting boat.
Hi, the boat in question was abandoned on a small high Sierra lake so history is unknown. Here is a photo of the logo and the original manufacturer sticker. I’ve spent hours scouring google and haven’t found anything.
here is a picture of the tiller
LaLi
Well-Known Member
What exactly did you order? I often advise against buying kits, as they practically always include stuff you don’t really want, and still don’t have all that you do need!
Looking at the pictures, the three things I see missing are 1) the mainsheet, 2) the battens, and 3) a clew tiedown line or strap.
The rudder is whole another problem area. Is that a Sunfish rudder blade, just attached backwards?
And the tiller... I think we all expected to see something surrealistically long and double-bent, but what picture 14 shows looks like a standard Sunfish tiller (with a rather short extension). It won’t work. It should reach the cockpit (or nearly so) with the blade down, and pass under the traveller, as close to the deck as feasible. I can’t think of a quick fix now, but hopefully someone will
_
I ordered a generic rigging kit for a Lazer but may end up making my own based on the boat. At least the kit will provide a starting point. I agree the rudder looks like it’s from a Sunfish so not sure that’s what they used originally or perhaps it was replaced at some point? I can’t find photos of an original rudder and tiller. I’m probably going to make a new tiller handle using the bracket provided but would love to find a photo of an original rudder and tiller.What exactly did you order? I often advise against buying kits, as they practically always include stuff you don’t really want, and still don’t have all that you do need!
Looking at the pictures, the three things I see missing are 1) the mainsheet, 2) the battens, and 3) a clew tiedown line or strap.
The rudder is whole another problem area. Is that a Sunfish rudder blade, just attached backwards?
And the tiller... I think we all expected to see something surrealistically long and double-bent, but what picture 14 shows looks like a standard Sunfish tiller (with a rather short extension). It won’t work. It should reach the cockpit (or nearly so) with the blade down, and pass under the traveller, as close to the deck as feasible. I can’t think of a quick fix now, but hopefully someone will
_
LaLi
Well-Known Member
There is no one ”generic” kit for Lasers. There are deck kits, vang kits, ”recreational” kits, etc, none of which make much sense in your situation. Can you post a link to what you ordered? I have a strong feeling you’re about to waste your money on redundant/unusable equipment.
(Sorry that I can’t help with the tiller
That’s the one thing that keeps you off the water at the moment.)
_
(Sorry that I can’t help with the tiller
That’s the one thing that keeps you off the water at the moment.)_
beldar boathead
Married to Primat Boathead
Veeerrrryyy interesting! Thanks for posting the photos. What an unusual boat!!
Now I understand why the bridle/traveler setup is so far forward.
Yes, the rudder appears to be mounted backwards, the Cunningham doesn’t look like there is a place to cleat it, and you do need new lines. It looks like the sail is sleeved and doesn’t use a halyard.
If you ordered a Laser line kit for the original Laser vang, outhaul, etc you’ll probably have about what you need. Getting a loooonnnggg curved tiller seems like it’ll be the hardest part. Looking forward to seeing how this goes!
Now I understand why the bridle/traveler setup is so far forward.
Yes, the rudder appears to be mounted backwards, the Cunningham doesn’t look like there is a place to cleat it, and you do need new lines. It looks like the sail is sleeved and doesn’t use a halyard.
If you ordered a Laser line kit for the original Laser vang, outhaul, etc you’ll probably have about what you need. Getting a loooonnnggg curved tiller seems like it’ll be the hardest part. Looking forward to seeing how this goes!