LaserPerformance Sunfish Parts: Poor Consistency

John Edmonds

New Member
I recently purchased new end caps from SunfishDirect for my spars and mast. Be aware that the end caps for the spars which attach the outhauls are much different than the original caps. The holes which the outhaul line goes thru is about half the size of the original part. It is so small that it makes it very difficult to run the outhaul line thru the hole appropriately. It makes for a very tight fit and I don't believe you could have adjustable outhaul lines with these caps.
I was under the impression that LaserPerformance provided consistent replacement parts, apparently this is not the case.
(yes, my outhaul lines are the correct size)
 
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Is it flat on the end? If so, I’ve seen some new boats and this is what LP is providing now. Apparently it is an Optimist part that LP can get cheaper than the old ones.
 
I don't understand your comment. It's not anything to do with saving money. I want the correct part so I can rig my boat correctly.
 
My comment is that Sunfish Direct sells official parts they get from LP. LP has changed the caps that they provide. You should complain to LP - Sunfish Direct’s hands are tied.

I strongly suspect LP is trying to save a few bucks and gets these cheaper. Same reason they have stopped putting foam blocks in new Sunfish - saves them money.

BTW the quickest way to resolve your complaint is probably to call Sunfish Direct. They will probably offer this same explanation - it is what LP is providing these days - but it will be better to get it from the horse’s mouth (Sunfish Direct).
 
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Shameless commerce alert: I and others here on the Forum have used, original equipment boom end caps for sale if comparable new parts are inferior.

For the record, I have bought things at Sunfish Direct and have not had any problems. Annapolis Performance Sailing (APSltd.com)is going out of the sailboat hardware business(*) and it looks like Sunfish Direct and The Dinghy Shop on Long island are about the last two reliable vendors. Dealers complain that they can't reliably get parts and gear from the factory. Do readers here know of any other reliable source of Sunfish parts and gear? If so, who are they?

Alan Glos
Cazenovia, NY

*Old timers may recall that Lands End started out as a sailboat hardware mail order supplier (their catalogs were pure nautical hardware porn!) and
also made the decision to get out of the hardware business and focus on clothing.
 
I deal with West Coast as that's where I bought my boat. They have been pretty good with everything and are the biggest dealer out here.
 
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I have reached out to Sun Fish Direct, I fully understand how the world works and believe it or not, my post isn't intended as a complaint but as a "did you know you are selling parts that really are not the correct part?"
As a minimum, Sun Fish Direct could put into the part description that the hole for the outhaul is much smaller and can only be used for basic rigging.
 
Any chance you can post a picture of both end caps? New and old, for visual comparison?
 
Looks like this might be the latest. Not flat anymore but. Not what we are used to. Sunfish Boom Cap w/Eye

With the World’s kicking off the top sailors will be weighing in if they find a problem. Unfortunately LP is not usually a good listener.
 
Any chance you can post a picture of both end caps? New and old, for visual comparison?
8B74E16C-DBCE-45A9-BBE0-AE7154D9A1A4.jpeg

Any chance you can post a picture of both end caps? New and old, for visual comparison?
Any chance you can post a picture of both end caps? New and old, for visual comparison?
 
The attached picture is from the Bonaire Worlds that is starting up. Everyone gets a complete new bot to sail. As I thought, LP is supplying a different type of end cap vs what we have been used to. The end cap on the left is on the lower spar, is flat, and has room for a line to go through multiple times. The upper spar cap is like the one I linked to above, and looks to have room for just one line. Why LP changed, and why they feel the need to put different caps on the upper and lower spars are both open questions.
 

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The attached picture is from the Bonaire Worlds that is starting up. Everyone gets a complete new bot to sail. As I thought, LP is supplying a different type of end cap vs what we have been used to. The end cap on the left is on the lower spar, is flat, and has room for a line to go through multiple times. The upper spar cap is like the one I linked to above, and looks to have room for just one line. Why LP changed, and why they feel the need to put different caps on the upper and lower spars are both open questions.
I sailed at the Brant Beach Worlds two years ago and these are the endcaps that were on those boats. They worked fine, but is seems like a real nuisance to have different caps on the top and bottom spars. Dealers need to keep more inventory and you have to know which cap to order. Fortunately the “classic style” seem to last forever so buying new ones isn’t often required.
 
I investigated making my own end caps. I have a 3D drawing of the mast base, mast halyard cap and boom end cap with eye. I felt I could flip the boom end cap at the forward end so I would not have to make a fourth mold. For injection molding these parts the molds would have been $11,000-$15,000. Parts would be just under $1 each. Still the molds were the cost issue. My son made one of each using a public library 3D printer with unknown plastic (black) which cost $3 for each part. But the library would not be equipped to make hundred's for me.
 
My whole intention on this initial post was a "buyer beware" sort of thing. I just acquired a 1977 Sunfish and I am trying to make it as nice and new as possible. I purchased all new caps and believe me the tolerances and ease of installation was far from easy. I am a licensed aircraft mechanic and have many many years of experience in good parts and bad parts. I in no way wish to put down any supplier of Sunfish parts. Sunfish people are a great group and I definitely am very happy to be a part of the Sunfish family, regardless if the part I purchase isn't quite what I expected.
Sunfish sailors always seem to have a smile on their face and let's keep it real.
 

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