Recent content by blueberry

I have a 1969 SF. I want to replace the old style rudder by a new style replacement kit but APS told me LaserPerformance is out of stock. They don't know if they will receive any this year... I found a used Laser rudder. It may sound like a crime to do that, but I wonder if a Laser rudder...

I have an old 1969 SF. I live in Quebec, Canada. So, we have a lot of snow during winter. I have built a 4 X 16 shed, 4 foot high, no floor. The sails were stored in my camping trailer. It has been stored like that for 4 winters. I just bought a 1979 SF, so I have 2 SF now. I have now a large...

I got my Sunfish 4 years ago and my son had 11 years old then. He started to go alone last year, so at 14. Before, he used to go with me, even in strong winds. My daugther is more scary. She has 10 now and I took her for 10 minutes with little wind. Last year, I took her only 5 minutes. I...

Thank you Wayne for correcting me, the boom has to be on the PORT side. Sorry for the confusion.:(

You'll find a rigging and tuning guide for the SF on Laserperformance.com. From the picture you have posted, Il have seen three «errors». First the halyard: it has to pass first in the small hole just at the right of the mast, and then you attach it to the cleat. Second, the boom: it is a SF...

Re: How to install an hicking strap on a 1979 Sunfish Thanks for the infos. Too bad that the class didn't allow hiking strap as standard equipment at that time. Is is standard today?

As you start planing, don't forget to sheet in OR to steer a bit leeward, so to keep power in the sail.

I just bought a 1979 Sunfish but there is no hicking strap. I presume I need to back up the bolts with a piece of wood. If I install an inspection port behind the splash guard, there will be no problem. But how to secure the end near the storage compartment? Using pop rivets will it be strong...

You will need a beach dolly similar to the ones available on APS (click on link on this page). Or you may build it yourself. I have made one with material I bougnt to my local hardware store: ABS pipe, 6 foot pipe for the axle, plastic board, some screws and bolts. As for the wheels, I found...

You better tell your insurer that you have a sailboat. If you are racing, check the kind of coverage with your insurer. Regatta is often excluded.

To avoid getting in irons, it is absolutely necessary that you get as much speed as you can before tacking. Loosing speed in high wind and big waves happens if you start turning from wind on the beam. So get close to the wind and keep your boat as flat as possible to get as much speed you can...

I was a bit nervous to make my first inspection port last year on my 1969 'Fish. After all, I was doing a hole in my boat! It was 6 inch port behind the splash guard. Finally, it is not difficult. Important: put a new blade on your jig saw. Cutting will be much faster and easier. This summer...

Compared to the Laser, the center of gravity of the Sunfish sail plan is lower, because the mast is shorter and the boom is much longer than on the Laser. So, the boat has less tendency to lean.

May be you could provide us with a picture of the hole, so we could tell you if it is a do-it-yourself repair. There are some infos on fiberglass repair on the Sunfish site and in the Internet.

I have an old 1969 that describe almost to yours, except that there was no cracks when I bought it 3 years ago. There is a lot of patches on my boat too but they are dry. I would suggest you to repair the crack, make an inspection port fore and aft to be able to dry the water after each outing...