Grew Sunfish?

minas man

Member
Picked up this Grew, a boat manufacture here in Canada, Sunfish at the end of the 2009 summer. I have not heard of Grew making the sunfish in any history that I have seen? The hull has no plate or serial # that I could see. I got the boat from the original owner and he could not remember if he got it in the early 1970's or 1960's. Boat was taken out of use when it became water logged. They attempted to repair but only got as far a striping all hardware removing all aluminum edging (trashed and long gone) and separating the complete deck and most of the cockpit ( a no no ). Hull has been sitting unused for the past 20+ years I removed what was left of the offending foam and washed out the inside of hull and it has being drying out since September, about 7 months. Hull is very light so that is encouraging though needs 3 repairs along chines where it sustained impact. Most likely the cause of water leak.
Wondering if there is any alternative plastic rub rails out there as all new aluminum is not going to be cheep?
Has anyone ever done successful complete deck and cockpit removal? Would be nice to put in the newer style cockpit with storage if a used one could be obtained.
I have to pick up the spars and sails for this Sunfish as they were stored at a different location and I will base my decision on whether to ad this to the fleet on the condition of the spars and my time to complete the job (wife).
><>Don<><
 

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I got the boat from the original owner and he could not remember if he got it in the early 1970's or 1960's.
On the US built boats, the appearance of double drain plugs was phased out some time shortly after 1966.


I have not heard of Grew making the sunfish in any history that I have seen?
I was under the impression Grew built Sunfish in France for a short period, under a license agreement. I thought Sailfish Sports in Richmond Hill, OT was the Canadian Builder. Is Grew in Canada and I'm all discombobulated? :confused:



. . .They attempted to repair but only got as far a striping all hardware removing all aluminum edging (trashed and long gone) and separating the complete deck and most of the cockpit ( a no no ).
:eek: Oh No is right. That's going to be a job to get re-aligned without the factory hull jig. Luckily, you're not dealing with much of a deck crown in the 3rd dimension at the same time. But ... BUT, there may have been some slight amount.

To check for a crown, match a point along the side of the deck just ahead of the cockpit ... and a precise matching point on the hull. Measure the width of each, making sure the sides of the hull are perpendicular (usually they want to lean inward) ... check your other boat, but I'm pretty sure there's little, if any, draft (bread pan like taper) to the sides. <it's been a long time since I had a deck completely off the hull so pardon me if I get something turned around ... check what I'm remembering against your other Sunfish>

If the deck measures wider than the hull at the chosen point beyond (best estimate ) 1/8", there's some crown to the deck that will need to be curved upward when you re-bond the two at the flange.

Getting the deck back on straight . . .
Make very sure there's no twist to the hull.

Square off the bow and stern on centerline and clamp, but don't fiberglass them.

The sides may want to cave inward. { This is the tough part } you may need to construct precisely cut temporary cross bracing to hold the sides plumb.

You might also need to make temporary riser post bracing to slightly bend the deck over, if you calculated there is some crown to the deck.

Start at the midpoint of each side and get 1-1/2' to 2' either side of mid-point glassed back together... matching up the flange edges so there's no offset either way.

Now that you've re-established "square" along the longitudinal axis and secured the deck squarely on the hull shell, carefully prop up the fore and after deck (one at a time) and re-secure the cockpit tub.


There are more tips here (top of this page)...

  • Sunfish KB & FAQ
    [*]Repairs and Upgrades​
    [*]Replacing Foam Blocks [PDF]​


Hull is very light so that is encouraging though needs 3 repairs along chines where it sustained impact.
The good news is, building up the internal layers won't be difficult.


Wondering if there is any alternative plastic rub rails out there as all new aluminum is not going to be cheep?
Yeah, ~$5/ft USD stinks. People have used split hose (like the hose for a kitchen sink sprayer) and caulked it in place. And there's always the press-in-place vinyl edging. Neither are as protecting as the metal so if you go that route don't let kids play bumper boat.


Would be nice to put in the newer style cockpit with storage if a used one could be obtained.
For that you'll need to call Laser Performance and see if they'll help you out. Or find a trashed hull with the tub still intact.

You could install an inspection port with a "CatBag" liner. Or you could make your own lazzerette in fiberglass.

.
 
Wow Wayne you sure know your Fish! So much wisdom.
I did not notice the two drain plugs you used to date the boat earlier than 1967.
Grew are still building boats on Lake Huron in Ontario Canada.
I will do the checks for deck camber or crown. Great points.
Finding a post 72 hull that is beyond repair with good tub, rub rails and new style rudder would be ideal and take care of most parts that are needed.
Still waiting to get the standing rigging.
><>Don<><
 
On the US built boats, the appearance of double drain plugs was phased out some time shortly after 1966.
.
Hi Wayne I picked up the standing rigging from the original owner this week. To keep sail safe from mice and theft people would take the sail and rigging home from the cottage at end of season as finding a mouse hole in the spring is no fun.
The good news is that the mast had sail had been replaced so I will be patient on restoring hull as I might find a post 72 hull.
I gave the previous owner your 1966 date and it was enough to jog his memory and it's a BINGO. He bought it new in 66 for $700 CND.
><>Don<><
 
Hi Wayne I picked up the standing rigging from the original owner this week. To keep sail safe from mice and theft people would take the sail and rigging home from the cottage at end of season as finding a mouse hole in the spring is no fun.
The good news is that the mast had sail had been replaced so I will be patient on restoring hull as I might find a post 72 hull.
I gave the previous owner your 1966 date and it was enough to jog his memory and it's a BINGO. He bought it new in 66 for $700 CND.
><>Don<><
Glad to hear it all came together for you. I've got a brochure from that era that shows the price at ~$500 USD so that all fits the timeline neatly.

Have fun getting everything ship shape.
 
Tonight is my night for reviving old threads! What made me write here is that I too have a Grew Sunfish. I live near Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Given the rear cockpit cubby and a bow stripe only (though the deck was painted, the original stripe was 'protected') I am thinking it's a 1972.

It's in terrific shape - the two previous owners took very good care of her. As previous posts suggest, I've been doing the typical old Sunfish repair work - drying out the hull (ventilation ports), sealing cracks along the deck/hull seam and a few small gelcoat repairs. Having a great time and she sails like it is 1972.

From my reading, Grew went into receivership and up for auction in 2011. www.grew.ca My father's first boat was also an early 1970s Grew Sunfish, a boat which I later sailed as a teenager before 'life' got in the way and it was sold. So I've come full circle.

No questions to ask here - just adding a bit more information. If you want to know more about the boat itself, am happy to provide. Plans for this winter are to refinish a banged-up dagger board and plan my projects for next spring including adding a ratchet block and also a mast cleat. This forum is a godsend for information and guidance for these projects. I may also ask Santa for a copy of The Sunfish Bible for Christmas to help the long winter months pass quickly.


IMG_4449 - Copy.JPG
 
Thanks for your story. My Grew Sunfish is still out in the back 40 and I have used it for spare parts for the standing rigging of my 1979 Alcort Fish. Wayne correctly identified it as a 1966 hull. When you have a good working boat I find it hard to get motivated to put in the time and money on the old hull. Where I sail the cuddy is a must for safety gear and no cuddy on the vintage 1966 is a detractor.
Minas man
 
Have the same Grew Sunfish picked it up near Cumberland this past summer for $600. In good shape needing only a few minor repairs. Looking forward to the spring os 2018.
 
Yeah, ~$5/ft USD stinks. People have used split hose (like the hose for a kitchen sink sprayer) and caulked it in place. And there's always the press-in-place vinyl edging. Neither are as protecting as the metal so if you go that route don't let kids play bumper boat.
"Split kitchen sink sprayer hose" sounds like a good (and tough) trim option—instead of new and pricy aluminum trim. (Though, as written above, the stock trim—even pre-owned—is best).
 

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