When is it time to call it quits?

sblanck

Member
I haven't gone sailing since September of 2017.
I have a sunfish clone a starfish. Sits in the garage on a trailer.
I just dont think I want to go anymore.
Wife wants me to just keep the boat, but I see storage space I could use for other things.
 
I haven't gone sailing since September of 2017.
I have a sunfish clone a starfish. Sits in the garage on a trailer.
I just don't think I want to go anymore.
Wife wants me to just keep the boat, but I see storage space I could use for other things.

"Storage space" has become a huge liability for those of us affected by hurricanes. Time for a Yard Sale?

If you're living in Texas, then it's not cold weather. Starfish are very close to Sunfish in design, so it's not size or weight.

Other than weather, the only thing that would keep me from Sunfish-sailing would be the inability of getting back in after a capsize. (Age-related infirmities, which are creeping up year-to-year). :oops: Maybe it's the inconvenience of trailering to water?

Would moving to a lakeside home be in the picture? :cool: Lake Texoma? Push the Starfish or an O'Day a few feet—and be sailing in five minutes?

Train a youngster in the art of sailing? :)

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I'm always looking around for level surfaces for my projects. :(

For projects or "storage" (sometimes the same thing) ;), I'd build a workbench just a couple of inches taller than the Sunfish on the trailer—and add a vice to a corner. Then you can have your "storage"—and when you feel like sailing again—pull the trailer out and go sailing. :cool:
 
I think you're wanting a Sunfish...

But seriously, if the Starfish isn't floating your boat, what about other dinghy sailing? Might be a little more room to stretch out on a Widgeon or Javelin or Daysailer? Or Drascombe Lugger. Some of those boats don't take up much more space or less, and you can take crew.

k
 
Got my dates wrong. Haven't sailed since September 2016.

I figured it was something like that. Anyway, you've sat out sailing a whole year. I'd say if another year goes by and you haven't taken it out, then sell it.

I go for months at a time without sailing my Laser, but I always eventually come back to it. It costs me nothing to keep it in the garage, and I'm not hurting for the space.
 
I think you're wanting a Sunfish...But seriously, if the Starfish isn't floating your boat, what about other dinghy sailing? Might be a little more room to stretch out on a Widgeon or Javelin or Daysailer? Or Drascombe Lugger. Some of those boats don't take up much more space or less, and you can take crew. k
Lacking a canoe or kayak to adapt for sailing, I was thinking of going the opposite direction—Snark. It's lighter, cheaper, and a more convenient sailboat to transport. A Snark can be cartopped. 'Can be stored on its edge or overhead, opening up storage space in the garage.

Sell the trailer. :cool:

Before I got into sailing my kayak (and later, catamarans), I sailed a lateen-rigged one in the 1980s, although I couldn't say which one it was. :oops: They're still being sold. (Some, pushing $5000!) :eek:

Snark_family.jpg

A history of Snark:
Sailboats To Go » History of Snark Sailboats

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oh boy, I'm not sure I'd ever recommend a Snark instead of a Sunfish (or Sunfish clone). my brother-in-law had a Snark, and it felt like a styrofoam bathtub... it was super light and easy to carry, but the curved bottom meant it was tippy, it was very uncomfortable to sit it, and the performance was completely lacking compared to my Sunfish (maybe a 45 square foot sail on the Snark?).
 
What we consider medium strength winds for Sunfish Sailing is to much wind
to sail a Snark. I would say after owning a Sunfish you are going to be really really
tired of the Snark after about 10 minutes. It also takes lots of room to get it turned
around and sailing the opposite direction. Sort of like driving a Styrofoam bus. If
you tired of the Sunfish it just means time to move up. If you're thinking performance
get a MC Scow. That will blow you hair back in high winds. You could go with a Lightning
for dingy racing. Plenty fast there, a lot depends on what class is racing in your area. Best
to do is go to you local Yacht Club and try out some different boats to see what spins your
prop. A Rebel might be just the size you are looking for in a one class design dinghy.
 
Got my dates wrong. Haven't sailed since September 2016.
An aluminum canoe can be stored outdoors, and "everybody" has a canoe. They're lighter, and more easily car-topped. I bought my latest 17-footer used for $300. :cool: I sold the 45ft² kayak sailing kit last year—for a bargain $75. :confused: (Via Craigslist).

My High School graduation present:
Bob with graduation present canoe 1960+.jpg

oh boy, I'm not sure I'd ever recommend a Snark instead of a Sunfish (or Sunfish clone). my brother-in-law had a Snark, and it felt like a styrofoam bathtub... it was super light and easy to carry, but the curved bottom meant it was tippy, it was very uncomfortable to sit it, and the performance was completely lacking compared to my Sunfish (maybe a 45 square foot sail on the Snark?).
The round-bottom Snark is the one I sailed—briefly. :confused: Hard chine (but still light) Snarks would be better. But that's the size of sail I had on my Folbot kayak. Also, 45ft² on my Grumman sailing canoe. Slow, hard to sail to windward, but didn't lack for the pleasure of a day-sail in the sun. :) Plus, a speedy run back to home base!

A little research showed the Grumman sailing canoe also came with a 65ft² Gunter rig. 'Wish I'd known it at the time—always could have used more power—and always liked the Gunter rig for convenience. :cool:

Interesting alternate riggings found here, including the yellow Crab-Claw rig (and the Gunter), with various leads to the "cockpit":
https://get.google.com/albumarchive...zelm3HAEF09N4a18jtrF6GN262Tn13BjZd?source=pwa
 
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I haven't gone sailing since September of 2017.
I have a sunfish clone a starfish. Sits in the garage on a trailer.
I just dont think I want to go anymore.
Wife wants me to just keep the boat, but I see storage space I could use for other things.
listen to your wife. is she a sailer?
 
I have a 23ft com-pac on trailer. has not been sailed in one year. finding a willing crew is the problem for me. having somone with the love of sailing is a big plus.
 
Keep the boat. My wife is not a sailor but she has been out with me a few times on my sunfish clone. We bought an O'Day Daysailer so she could sail with me. It needs work, so we haven't sailed it yet.
I haven't sailed much in the last 3 years, but 3 years ago I was hospitalized with a ruptured brain aneurysm.
So, keep the boat.
 
The last time my boat was wet other than rain was Oct 2016. I work a lot and have kids in activites that keep me busy but realize that will not last forever and I will have time to spend sailing in the future. I tried 3 or 4 times this last year to go but something always happened. Got home early from work hooked up the trailer then a thunderstorm rolled in, drove out to the lake another time to teach my son and the water looked like glass. I live in Texas and the weather can change in a heart beat so it happens. Sunfish are inexpensive to keep,maintain etc.. and I know I will regret selling it. Years ago I had a windsurfer that I sold and now I wish I still had it. Keep it till next summer and see how you feel then, you may drive by the lake and think about giving the sunfish another try.
 
I've linked a respiratory-monitor to an incendiary charge in the bow of my Sunfish; hopefully, this Viking funeral Sunfish will be pointed out to sea :) rather than to a marina! :confused:
 
The last time my boat was wet other than rain was Oct 2016. I work a lot and have kids in activites that keep me busy but realize that will not last forever and I will have time to spend sailing in the future. I tried 3 or 4 times this last year to go but something always happened. Got home early from work hooked up the trailer then a thunderstorm rolled in, drove out to the lake another time to teach my son and the water looked like glass. I live in Texas and the weather can change in a heart beat so it happens. Sunfish are inexpensive to keep,maintain etc.. and I know I will regret selling it. Years ago I had a windsurfer that I sold and now I wish I still had it. Keep it till next summer and see how you feel then, you may drive by the lake and think about giving the sunfish another try.

What you state is the main reason I have kept my Lasers all these years ago. I sail only a fraction of what I did 20 years ago, but I still daydream about sailing. I still need to get out on the water every now and then. It costs me nothing to keep my Laser in the garage, and I certainly could not retire on the money I could get selling it.
 
oh boy, I'm not sure I'd ever recommend a Snark instead of a Sunfish (or Sunfish clone). my brother-in-law had a Snark, and it felt like a styrofoam bathtub... it was super light and easy to carry, but the curved bottom meant it was tippy, it was very uncomfortable to sit it, and the performance was completely lacking compared to my Sunfish (maybe a 45 square foot sail on the Snark?).

SNARK = POC

Free would be too much.
 
What you state is the main reason I have kept my Lasers all these years ago. I sail only a fraction of what I did 20 years ago, but I still daydream about sailing. I still need to get out on the water every now and then. It costs me nothing to keep my Laser in the garage, and I certainly could not retire on the money I could get selling it.
In a time of 8.3% inflation, owning things is far better than "money in the bank"!

The angst of Sunfish sailing is trailering, with its issues of tires, storage, rust, wiring, and bearings. Single-handed cartopping is the way to go--and that is addressed on this forum:

As to the "tippiness" of Snarks, I find Lasers also tippy--or "tender"--in sailing parlance. I think I'd buy a Snark just to participate in their forum! (Which is full of snark!) :p

To be sailing at all, I'd sail a swim raft!
 
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I sold my first sailboat in 1997, a 1988 Hobie 17 that I bought new. My wife tried to talk me out of selling it, it cost me nothing to own, and I only had to use it a little. I sold it anyway, way too cheaply. Sorry immediately. Went through a bunch of different unsatisfactory boats for some years. I bought my current Hobie Getaway in 2012, and was given a Sunfish in 2019. Planning on keeping them forever. Or until I can't step the mast on the Hobie.
I also have the Wisconsin Hoofers Sailing Club available to me, so I think I'm set for life. If you live anywhere close to Madison, WI, check them out. The best sailing deal in the Milky Way!
 
The angst of Sunfish sailing is trailering, with its issues of tires, storage, rust, wiring, and bearings.
Personally, I find trailers great. Make life much easier. I prefer to trailer my kayaks to putting them on the roof rack. I rewire every trailer with ground wires and LED lights, and add bearing buddies. Once I do that, no problems.
 

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