Beat up used Sunfish vs. Newport Panther - is it worth it?

Sailing Sasha

New Member
Hi everyone, this is my first post on this forum. So I just got back from sailing a friend's sunfish and have decided I really want one. After checking my local Craigslist, I found one that has certainly seen better days, and I'm not sure if it is worth the $250 asking price. The hull looks incredibly beat up, with what looks like a massive patch job on the underside and I can see several duck-taped cracks on the top deck. It is complete with sail, rudder, etc. so for the price it sounds like a great find if it just needs a bit of love and new paint. However, I worry that the condition of the hull might lead to a lot more repair work than I want, since my goal is to get sailing ASAP this summer and it's already August. I figure maybe I could get the price down, but I have a feeling this might be a lost cause boat. Here are two of the photos from the listing (sail and rest of kit is shown in another pic):

1596480857452.png
1596480885782.png


Meanwhile, there is another boat for sale listed for only $95 as a "sunfish-like boat". I have figured out that it is a Lockley Newport Boats Inc. Panther. Looks to be in much better shape than that Sunfish, but there are no photos of the underside of the hull. I am partial to the shape and look of a true sunfish but this one is a lot cheaper and looks like it may even be ready to get out on the water as-is:

1596480973097.png


I'm looking for any advice on:

a) if attempting to re-hab this sunfish is worth it for the price and time and headache, or if I should just move on
b) If anyone has sailed a Panther and can vouch for how fun it is, and if you think this boat is worth it at that price.

I've never boat a boat before so I'm a bit nervous of buying a water-logged leaky clunker and regretting everything. Also, It needs to be car-topped which means a max weight of around 150 lbs, which doesn't leave much room for a hull full of water.

Thank you in advance!
 
'Tough choice, especially if fiberglass repair work would be new to you.

A weight of 150 pounds would indicate a "recoverable" Sunfish hull. You could toss it in the water there to prompt comments from the seller. While in the water, press down on an upside-down hull to prompt bubbles from trim- and hardware leaks. (Easy fixes).

This Sunfish is an older '60s boat, and it does look like it's had a rough life. :( But if this Sunfish is complete, it's worth it--just in parts. Assure yourself every piece of rudder is there.

You'd own Panther parts forever--and if you lost a Panther part, you'll never find a replacement.

This season, rather than use this excellent sailing weather to epoxy a couple of leaks, I've covered my leaks with white Gorilla tape--and I'm sailing! :)

Use the off-season for fixing. But with that said, in the meantime, I'd keep looking for a better second Sunfish hull. The buys are out there, and you've come to the right place. ;)
 
Last edited:
I looked at Rochester Craigslist too. The choices there are better but not that much better. Alan Glos in Cazenovia may have a better deal for you, and how far are these from you? 4 sunfish for sale. I’d ask for one with the new style rudder.

While $95 for the Lockley isn’t much money, parts will never be available if you need them. I doubt it’ll sail as well as a Sunfish either. I suppose for that price you could buy it and if you hate it put it in a dumpster. The Sunfish you have found will take work and never be a nice boat without tons and tons of work.
 
This would be a great project boat but not your primary ride, IMHO. Spend a few hundred more like Wavedancer said and proudly get out sailing in a $500 sail-ready boat with updated rudder, cuddy storage, newer bailer, and one with the critical front handle already installed.
 
S.S,

I am the Alan Glos (in Cazenovia) that Beldar kindly mentioned. I saw both of the boats you commented on. The Sunfish is pretty rough and probably weighs a ton and I am not familiar with the other one.

I am currently working on a 1971 Sunfish that will sell for about $550 -$600. If you are interested in it, give me a call 315 655-8296.

A Sunfish is not all that easy to cartop owing to its weight and size. I have done it but I would not want to cartop every time I wanted to go sailing. A much better cartopper is the Minifish (95 lbs.) and it sails well. Call me and we can chat. No obligation whatsoever on your part.

Alan Glos
Cazenovia, NY
 
About 30 years ago I bought an old Sunfish, intending to car top it. Loading it up onto my car was so inconvenient that I used it only 4 times in those 30 years, finally donating it to a friend for parts.
Two years ago I bought a 75 pound Minifish, and I have been out sailing more than 10 times in the past year. The Minifish is just what it sounds like, a slightly smaller, and much lighter, version of the Sunfish. It went out of production in the mid 80's (I think), but most of its parts are the same as a Sunfish's. There have been several on Market place for $400 or less.
Alternatively (and I suspect I will get flamed for saying this), you might want to check out a used Snark. They only weigh about 50 pounds, and you can get a used one for less than $200 (some times much less). They are still being produced, so parts are readily available. Buying a Snark would get you on the water right away in an affordable manner, and give you a chance to decide just how much you want to invest in this new hobby.
Snarks are not great boats. Really, they aren't even good ones. But they come under the "good enough" category. They are easy to transport, easy to sail, easy to store.
Would I buy a new one? No. Emphatically No. New they are (IMHO) extremely over priced. But used? At a dirt low price? Sure. I have sailed one before, and it was fun. Especially on a reach.
Just a couple of other options to think about.
 
I agree with Seaotter5 about the Minifish - that'd be a good option for you if you plan to cartop the sailboat.

I personally wouldn't bother with a Snark (no offense Seaotter5!) - my brother-in-law had one and it was awful, uncomfortable to sit in, slow and plodded along, and the mast/spars felt like they were aluminum clothesline poles - so cheap and flimsy! If you really enjoyed the Sunfish, I think the Snark would be too much of a step back.
 
I agree with Seaotter5 about the Minifish - that'd be a good option for you if you plan to cartop the sailboat.

I personally wouldn't bother with a Snark (no offense Seaotter5!) - my brother-in-law had one and it was awful, uncomfortable to sit in, slow and plodded along, and the mast/spars felt like they were aluminum clothesline poles - so cheap and flimsy! If you really enjoyed the Sunfish, I think the Snark would be too much of a step back.

No offense taken! Everything you said about them is absolutely true. It would be several steps back! But...if one wants to get out onto the water cheaply and quickly, the Snark can do that. Just very slowly. It may be just a glorified pool toy, but I really enjoyed sailing it. Not quite sure why.
But I agree. The Minifish is a real sail boat. I love mine!
 
  • Like
Reactions: tag
I am happy to hear Alan may have a good boat for you! I wouldn’t mess with a Snark either. It is literally molded from white Styrofoam and would be unsafe in anything more than perhaps 10 knots of breeze.

I cartop my Sunfish, but a Minifish would be much easier to cartop.
 
Check Facebook Marketplace too. There are a heck of a lot of Sunfish out there, and price is not necessarily indicative of condition.
Last fall, I was given (yeah, for free!) a 1978 Sunfish and trailer in excellent condition. Needs nothing. It's been a blast to sail!
Is there a reason you can't trailer it? Unless you are strong like bull, cartopping a 130# boat seems like a reason to not go sailing.
 
Thank you everyone for all the fast responses, I was not expecting so many replies! This is all super helpful. I have ruled out the beat up sunfish, and I am still tempted by the $95 panther because of its price and similarity to the sunfish, but I do have concerns about the weight. I checked the owner's manual for my car (Subaru Impreza hatchback) and it says max load of 176 lbs (including the crossbars themselves), so if there was any water in that hull that would be pushing it..

I had never heard of the Minifish, I love it! That sounds like it could be just what I'm looking for, and wouldn't stress me as much about overloading the crossbars. I'm not ruling out a full Sunfish though since it sounds like cartopping is doable. I'm in my twenties so I like to think I would be okay getting it on the roof without too much fuss, but I also don't own any special roof racks such as those with telescoping poles that extend out to the side of your car to make it easier. The reason I can't trailer it is neither my car nor my wife's car have a trailer hitch. I don't know if I am ready to drop 500+ dollars on my first sailboat just yet, but I'm not saying no.

I searched CL for 'minifish' and as luck would have it one is being sold at an estate sale literally 5 minutes from my house this Friday. The price isn't listed, and only one photo was included that doesn't reveal much of the condition, but it looks pretty shiny and appears to come with a sweet old-school dolly. I can't tell if there are ropes on the deck or enormous cracks. More importantly the photo does not show a rudder, daggerboard, sail, mast etc., just a hull. Seaotter5 mentioned most of the parts are the same as a Sunfish. To what extend is this true? If this sale is literally just the hull, can I use a Sunfish sail, mast, rudder, and daggerboard since those seem to be more common?

1596498574744.png


Also good tip on Facebook Marketplace, I wouldn't have thought to check there. Not many Sunfish near me but there are tons of amazing deals on big 15'+ sized sailboats! Noted for the future :)
 
Last edited:
This red and yellow Minifish looks great. It probably has all the parts. If yes, and the sail is decent, it should sell for about $500. If it is a "hull only" call me and I will buy it and round up the parts!

The Mini rudder is the same as a Sunfish but the tiller handled is about 9" shorter. The daggerboard is a tapered "shadow" board, also Sunfish compatable. The mast and booms are a little shorter than a Sunfish and the sail is smaller (65 sq. ft. vs. 75 sq.ft. for the Sunfish.) I think I have a set of mast & booms but used Mini sails are hard to find (but you can buy a new aftermarket sail. ) You can put a Sunfish sail on a Mini but I don't recommend it as you can overload the hull and break things.

Alan Glos
315 655-8296
 
My son and I put a trailer hitch on his Impreza hatchback in a couple of hours. Pretty easy installation.
I just don’t know about trying to manhandle a 130# boat on and off a car roof. I have enough trouble with a 40# kayak!
 
That Minifish looks amazing! Look at the shine and it was made in the mid-70s!

$500 really does not seem like too much to spend if the boat is in decent shape. With a bit of care it’ll last your whole lifetime and provide a lot of enjoyment.
 
As others have implied, you really need two to put a Sunfish on a roof rack without damaging the boat or the car.
 
I would highly suggest looking into installing a hitch. My wife just helped me install one on our Kia Soul. The hitch cost $125 and only requires 4 bolts. That would greatly expand your options. I would think that even hoisting a Minifish to the cartop may result in eventual damage. Remember that boat ramps are sloped, so it will come down easy and go up hard. I agree with what's been said. It also depends on what you plan to use the boat for. If it's just you going out for the day a Minifish should be fine. If you want to take someone else, go camping, or be out in big waves the Sunfish might be nicer. The Sunfish I use for my YouTube channel (Adventures In Reach) has several patches, including a large one along the keel like the one pictured. I added that patch to close up a few small dings and reinforce the keel. It doesn't sound like you are racing so you don't need a perfectly pristine hull. It's hard to tell what's dirt vs damage from the pictures, so if it's close you might want to go check it out with a sponge. Good luck!
 
Lol, I didn't expect much Snark love on this site. Ten knots sounds about right. I agree with everything everyone's says about them. But there is one for sale in DC that I am pretty sure I could get for $50. I am trying very hard to convince myself that I really don't need one.
This red and yellow Minifish looks great. It probably has all the parts. If yes, and the sail is decent, it should sell for about $500. If it is a "hull only" call me and I will buy it and round up the parts!

The Mini rudder is the same as a Sunfish but the tiller handled is about 9" shorter. The daggerboard is a tapered "shadow" board, also Sunfish compatable. The mast and booms are a little shorter than a Sunfish and the sail is smaller (65 sq. ft. vs. 75 sq.ft. for the Sunfish.) I think I have a set of mast & booms but used Mini sails are hard to find (but you can buy a new aftermarket sail. ) You can put a Sunfish sail on a Mini but I don't recommend it as you can overload the hull and break things.

Alan Glos
315 655-8296

Neil Pryde has Minifish sails for $120, and I see NOS Minifish sails on Ebay (I got one last year. I really need to get it on my boat!)
 
Lol, I didn't expect much Snark love on this site. Ten knots sounds about right. I agree with everything everyone's says about them. But there is one for sale in DC that I am pretty sure I could get for $50. I am trying very hard to convince myself that I really don't need one.

Neil Pryde has Minifish sails for $120, and I see NOS Minifish sails on Ebay (I got one last year. I really need to get it on my boat!)
Any boat that gets people out, meets most of their needs, and doesn't cause a headach, is the right boat.
 
My son and I put a trailer hitch on his Impreza hatchback in a couple of hours. Pretty easy installation.
I just don’t know about trying to manhandle a 130# boat on and off a car roof. I have enough trouble with a 40# kayak!
Cartopping singlehanded, use a stepladder to hold the stern, then move the bow over. Be sure to have a stepladder upon removing the boat. :oops: I forgot the stepladder at my destination, and removal wasn't pretty! :eek:
 
Lol, I didn't expect much Snark love on this site. Ten knots sounds about right. I agree with everything everyone's says about them. But there is one for sale in DC that I am pretty sure I could get for $50. I am trying very hard to convince myself that I really don't need one.

Neil Pryde has Minifish sails for $120, and I see NOS Minifish sails on Ebay (I got one last year. I really need to get it on my boat!)
I sailed a Snark once: better for a teen, but I was sailing. ;)

This week, I saw a Sunfish sail with two GLOWING lemon-colored panels. (This is on a lake with many speedboats that sometimes run into each other, or strike islands, strike cottages, land on cookouts 150 feet from shore, or eject their passengers at high speeds!)

'Wondering if that sail GLOWS at night? :)

I WANT THAT SAIL! :cool:
 
Hey, OP, I'm just catching up to this thread, but I wouldn't bother with that Sunfish unless you're proficient at glass repair... looks pretty beat up and it has seen its day, restoration would cost you even if you knocked the price way down. I'd buy the Panther before I bought the Sunfish, if you're just looking to get out on the water, but your best bet would be to wait for a Minifish to hit the market... judging by all I've read here, the Minifish would be a good match for you, and the boat is fun & exciting to sail. I'm not familiar with the Panther, but I reckon the Minifish is sturdier & safer... however, at that price, the Panther might be a good compromise just to get out there on the water. If you're hesitant, you could ask for more pics (or take 'em yourself and post 'em here) so site members can get a good look at the boat and give you honest opinions. :rolleyes:

As far as cartopping goes, I cartopped my Minifish no problem, but I also sandbagged passersby to help load or unload it atop 'The Mighty Camry.' If you'd rather buy a boat on a trailer, you can easily add a hitch... I bought one for the Camry for about $120, and it wasn't difficult to install. Mine was made by an outfit called Curt, nothing fancy but it did the job of hauling a dirt bike on a plug-in cargo carrier. Such a hitch would easily tow something as light as a small sailboat on a trailer... we're not talking about a loaded 53' wagon here, LOL. Anyway, that's just my $.02, take it or leave it as ya see fit... if you're "jonesing" to go sailing, I'd say buy the Panther, it might not be the sturdiest craft but it looks to be in fair condition, and would probably take a lot less money to bring up to speed. Again, I do NOT recommend buying the beat-up Sunfish, you'd spend what's left of the summer fixing up that p.o.s., LOL. :eek:

CHEERS!!! AND WELCOME TO THE LUNATIC ASYLUM... ER, I MEAN FORUM!!! LOL. ;)
 
Lol, I didn't expect much Snark love on this site.

Aww, the poor Snark gets a bad rap... but it is what it is, and the manufacturer claims that it is the best-selling sailboat in the world. What are they up to now, over half a million Snarks? And think of how many kids took their first sail aboard such craft, right before the boats snapped in half, LOL. Meh, swimming is exercise, and exercise is good for you... ;)

Besides, a true Zen master would accept the Snark for what it is, and pull bad-@$$ voyages ANYWAY... after carefully consulting the NOAA Weather website, LOL. Look at AIR's upcoming (planned) voyage to Isle Royale... can you IMAGINE what sort of 'nautical cred' one would earn by making this voyage in a Snark?!? Probably make the Guinness World Record Book, not only because the voyage was made in a Snark, but because the voyage lasted a week in light airs, LOL. Damn. :confused:

Okay, I'm done beating this dead horse, time to get cleaned up and run into town, since I'm outta beer and I'm gonna be thirsty later... hopefully the OP gets a boat soon, even if it is that Panther. And it might be a sturdy boat too, hard to tell just looking at photos. The sail seems to be in good condition, maybe this Panther is a boat which didn't see much use and is actually a good bargain. Meh, guess we'll find out either way... time for this kid to hit the shower, gotta make that store run before it gets too hot. :rolleyes:
 
So here is where I currently stand:

I'm not going to bother with the beat up sunfish in my original post, not worth it. I am going to go check out the Minifish on Friday and see if it comes with all the parts, if it's in as good of condition as the photo suggests, and how much money the seller is expecting.

If the minifish is a good price I think it would be wise to buy it on the spot, since it sounds like it is still loads of fun and will cartop no problem. However, I admit I'm still debating the Panther, especially if the Minifish winds up costing $400+. I know everyone here seems to think it won't be as good as a sunfish, but I would be okay with a sunfish imitation at that price point! Really my only concern with the Minifish (aside from the unknown pricetag) is that I'll never be able to go sailing with a friend, whereas the Panther definitely seats two. It also has a much roomier cockpit which might be nice since I'm 6'2", and looks like it has a little storage hatch which could be fun. So while it is no purebred sunfish, I'm wondering if it could still be a super fun boat for me!

I had asked the seller of the Panther for photos of the underside of the hull and the weight, stating my concerns for the roof limit. He didn't send any photos but he did state that he figured the whole thing including sail, rudder etc. was over 150 lbs. What I really care about is just the hull weight since I may be able to fit other stuff inside the car, and part of me thinks "it'll be fine, it's under 100 bucks, just get it" and the other part of me worries that it could be waterlogged and weigh over 200 lbs. The only info I could find on the model online states a hull weigh of 125 lbs which would be great. It's hard to know, since it doesn't seem like the seller actually weighed it and was just guessing from the look of it. tI should mention, the Panther is 1.5 hour drive away, so a bit far to just swing by and check out without committing to buying it.

Regarding the trailer hitch: the user manual for my car specifically says "Your vehicle is neither designed nor intended to be used for trailer towing. Therefore, never tow a trailer with your vehicle" which is why I'm hoping to keep it cartoppable. I'm sure I could ignore this and tow a small boat, but that warning seemed pretty clear and has me concerned. Also, it's a manual transmission and I wonder if the added weight would require a lot of clutch slipping to get started each time, resulting in increased wear on the clutch.


Sorry if this message got a bit long! Summary: I'm excited about the minifish, but I hope they don't want over $300 for it because I'm cheap and the $95 Panther seams like a great deal since it seats two, and is basically the same thing as a full size sunfish albeit maybe not quite as good. But with the minifish I know I can cartop it, whereas with the Panther I'm concerned about the weight of an old boat.
 
I'm still lurking, and I say: "BUY THE PANTHER!!!" If that's the same Newport outfit that builds the Newport 30, you're in business... nothing wrong with a Newport 30. And at that low price, I think it's worth it no matter what, you could always unload it later if you found that you didn't like it. From what I can see, and from what I looked up on the web, it might be a good match for you as well... and it has a cool logo or emblem on the sail!!! :rolleyes:

This Panther may be a case of the seller not really knowing or appreciating the boat's worth... I think it's certainly worth checking out, as it may be a sturdy little boat which is perfectly suited to your wants or needs. Try to get that seller to flip the boat and send you more pics, and let the seller know you're interested. Even if the boat has minor issues, the nautical heroes at this site can help you solve those problems. Okay, now I'm off to the store... :cool:
 
Last edited:
Here’s my 2-cents: I see both sides, and everyone here knows I’m a Minifish lover, but since you’re over 6’ tall and would rather sail with a partner the Mini isn’t the right choice for you. I’m not against the Panther IF it’s complete and IF it’s not waterlogged. Has it been stored indoors or left outside and ignored for years? At 150 lbs it will be no fun to cartop it. You’ll end up not sailing it much, as Seaotter said, because it will be a hassle to load and unload. What kind of car do you drive? Unless it’s electric/hybrid you will be fine towing a small Sunfish-like boat. It is worth getting a hitch and a small trailer for years of sailing fun. Save up and get it ready for next year if you can’t swing it now. The car manufacturer recommends against towing as a ‘CYA’ message. My 2003 4 cylinder Subaru Baja has been pulling Sunfish and much heavier boats for many years and I hope for many more!
 
I’d pick up the panther, this could be your gateway boat or at least hold you over while you shop for the perfect boat. This way you won’t feel pressured to pick up something and over pay just to get out on the water.
At that price you should be able to pass it on when you’ve found something else.
 
As far as pulling a trailer, I pull my kayak trailer loaded with two sailboats (and sometimes 2 kayaks) behind a Chevy Spark. It, too, has a 5 speed, and it works just fine. I certainly wouldn't recommend using a Spark as a tow vehicle (I get a lot of confused looks, finger pointing, and people taking cell phone photos as I drive by. The trailer is longer than the car! ) But I doubt very much you will have any trouble whatsoever pulling single Sunfish with your Subaru!
I agree with those who have encouraged you to wait until you can find a reasonable deal on a Sunfish/trailer combination if you want to go sailing with a friend. Or look for a Sailfish in good shape. They use a LOT of the same parts as Sunfish, but only weigh around a hundred pounds. They have the same weight capacity as the Sunfish (400 pounds), and are supposed to be a lot of fun. I recently bought one, but haven't gotten a chance to get it out on the water. It's mainly for my son to use. We are supposed to be sailing together next Thursday. I can hardly wait! But nice ones can be hard to find.
 
Regarding the trailer hitch: the user manual for my car specifically says "Your vehicle is neither designed nor intended to be used for trailer towing. Therefore, never tow a trailer with your vehicle" which is why I'm hoping to keep it cartoppable. I'm sure I could ignore this and tow a small boat, but that warning seemed pretty clear and has me concerned. Also, it's a manual transmission and I wonder if the added weight would require a lot of clutch slipping to get started each time, resulting in increased wear on the clutch.
I had a BMW wagon that in Europe is promoted by BMW as a good car to tow a trailer. In the US, they say it is not capable of towing a trailer, despite the fact it was the exact same car. BMW US says you need a BMW SUV to tow a trailer.

So, I looked at Subaru's UK site. Guess what - an Impreza in the UK is rated by Subaru to tow about 2,400 lbs. (click on the tech specs tab on this page) Subaru Impreza | Nimble Hatchback | Better Where It Matters so Subaru is up to the same nonsense.

BTW, I had a 5 speed VW Rabbit with 78 HP back in the '80s and towed a two boat Sunfish trailer (with two boats on it) from NH to Alabama, Buffalo, Chicago, and a few other places. You don't need to slip the clutch or anything - you just plan to take longer to get up to highway speeds.

I got a trailer about 3 years ago having cartopped untold miles during my Sunfish racing career. I have got to say it is a whole lot easier with a trailer. Personally I would not buy the Lockley, but for $95 bucks it isn't much of an investment - as another poster said you could put it in a dumpster if you don't like it and not be out much. But take a scales with you and weigh it before buying. If it doesn't suit you, you can keep an eye out for a Sunfish and a trailer and pick one up when you find something in your price range. You are paying for Sunfish quality, so $700 bucks for a '60s or '70s boat in good shape is a deal.
 
Damn, that beer tastes good... funny how tow ratings for the same vehicle are different in Europe and the States. As for cartopping, most cars can easily handle a small boat on top. Some cars aren't suitable due to their shape: the round-topped VW Bug, for instance. But others are just fine, and racks aren't always necessary either, I cartopped both Laser & Minifish just using sleeping pads, old sleeping bags, thick blankets, whatever. :rolleyes:

Like BB said, many manufacturers' warnings are simply 'CYA' warnings, to avoid lawsuits in this land of litigation. I'm not sure I agree with the observation upon height and the Minifish: I'm about 6' (okay, 5'11") and I've taken taller friends sailing with me, no problem, just use Signal Charlie's "Geezer Rig" to give yourself more room in which to duck, LOL. Easy fix to a minor problem, I reckon... I certainly wouldn't write off any Minifish for that reason. :confused:

Going back to safety ratings and cartopping and whatnot, this thread is starting to remind me of those photos I've seen of buses in undeveloped countries: you know, the buses with 150-200 people aboard, including 50 or 60 on the roof, accompanied by about 100 goats & chickens, LOL. Often as not, those same bus photos show the rig on some dangerous winding mountain road (dirt) with heller drops & no guardrails at every turn... :eek:

I still think the OP should buy the Panther, at that price it'd be worth it... just looking at the sail and 'shower curtain rings' in that pic, I have the feeling that this boat wasn't used very often, which means the hull is probably in good shape. Like GzBlack2 says, it could be your 'gateway boat' and at least get you out on the water before summer is over, aye? Seems worth the effort, but again that's just my $.02, as adults we all make choices... ;)

OKEY-DOKEY, I'M OFF TO CAUSE TROUBLE ELSEWHERE AT THIS SITE, GOOD LUCK WITH EVERYTHING!!! CHEERS!!! :cool:
 
So, I looked at Subaru's UK site. Guess what - an Impreza in the UK is rated by Subaru to tow about 2,400 lbs. (click on the tech specs tab on this page) Subaru Impreza | Nimble Hatchback | Better Where It Matters so Subaru is up to the same nonsense.

Wow, good to know!! I wouldn't have thought to check that. Okay, so I could get a trailer hitch, which would eliminate the weight restriction. But then I would have to buy a trailer in addition to the hitch, which adds to my expenses so that might be more for the future. I have thought about going to visit the Panther with a scale but I'm not sure how you would actually weigh it.. could you just bring a standard people-bathroom-scale and balance the hull on it's edge?

I'm still torn between that and the Minifish! I wouldn't say sailing with a partner is a must, just a big plus. The thought of ripping around on a tiny but fast minifish sounds great provided it isn't that uncomfortable for my legs. But at the same time the added cockpit room of the Panther means I could bring a small bag of snacks, water etc. and go on longer voyages around Oneida Lake for example, and take a break and lounge quasi-comfortably . I'm a bit stressed because when I go to the estate sale with the Minifish I feel like I'll have to decide on the spot if I want it or not, or risk someone else snatching it up. I guess I'll have to wait and see how much they're asking.

It seems that if we ignore the weight and cartopping troubles, the Panther might be more what I'm looking for. But then the Minifish is likely a more quality boat, and if I have the opportunity to buy one in great shape for a bargain it would seem foolish to pass that up and go with an imitation brand instead...

Can you tell that I'm bad at making decisions? Again, thank you all for your input. I've been refreshing this page every 10 minutes today!
 
Listen, that Panther isn't gonna weigh enough to cause trouble cartopping, even if it IS waterlogged, which I somehow doubt. All ya gotta do is get 'er back home, enlisting help from the seller to sling the boat atop your car, then you can go from there. Bring a $h!tload of padding of one sort or another if the racks on your vehicle are cheesy... don't let the hull weight rest entirely on the racks, AYE? :confused:

Everything else goes inside the vehicle, spars jutting from a window if necessary... just be careful on the trip home, especially if the spars jut a bit to the shotgun side. I'm still rooting for the Panther, if that were here in my neighborhood I already would've bought it... and if ya wait too long, some other hand will snap it up. And know this: rigging & hardware can easily be upgraded, while that hull and sail don't look that bad. :rolleyes:

Don't forget tie-downs or straps if ya go, stop and buy some $5 utility rope from Walmart if necessary, just to get the boat home... later, you can dial in the securement system for cartopping, or get yourself a small trailer when ya get around to it. Again, all this is just my $.02, and I wouldn't buy the Panther to circumnavigate the freakin' globe, but for summer fun I'm puttin' my money on her pronto... Cheers!!! :cool:

P.S. You're not bad at making decisions, you're simply weighing all the factors, which is what any experienced hand would do... ;)
 
So, I looked up your vehicle on the web, don't know if the roof of your model year has much curve to it, but what I said before still stands: you can pad the roof to help support the boat if you happen to buy it and cartop it home. :rolleyes:

Cartop the boat topside-down with the bow forward, it'll be more streamlined that way. If you can't open that rear hatchback window, then leave the hatch open to accommodate spars, being sure to tie the hatch down using utility rope and securement points (bumper or over the bumper and underneath the car). :confused:

Padding always helps when picking up a boat and cartopping it home, but the line (or utility rope) used to secure the boat should be snug, aye? With enough padding, make it tight, so the boat doesn't move around atop the roof as you're driving at highway speed. No future in that... ;)

You can do this without harming the boat or harming the roof of your car, you just need to pad it well enough to get it home, and keep all securement snug... if anything juts too far beyond the vehicle, use a red or orange flag (rag, shirt, whatever), just don't call attention to yourself unnecessarily on the road. :eek:

I HAVE FAITH IN YOU, AND I HOPE YOU BUY THE PANTHER... BUT I'M BIASED, SINCE I'M A CAT LOVER BORN IN THE 'YEAR OF THE TIGER!' :cool:

Edit: Mind any exhaust fumes if ya leave the hatch open, shouldn't make any difference at highway speeds but it might at lower speeds or idle, crack or leave windows open up forward if necessary. Guess I'll go with the green emoji for fume action, LOL. :D
 
I sailed a Snark once: better for a teen, but I was sailing. ;)

This week, I saw a Sunfish sail with two GLOWING lemon-colored panels. (This is on a lake with many speedboats that sometimes run into each other, or strike islands, strike cottages, land on cookouts 150 feet from shore, or eject their passengers at high speeds!)

'Wondering if that sail GLOWS at night? :)

I WANT THAT SAIL! :cool:
That also sounds like a good idea.
 
Listen, that Panther isn't gonna weigh enough to cause trouble cartopping, even if it IS waterlogged, which I somehow doubt. All ya gotta do is get 'er back home, enlisting help from the seller to sling the boat atop your car, then you can go from there. Bring a $h!tload of padding of one sort or another if the racks on your vehicle are cheesy... don't let the hull weight rest entirely on the racks, AYE? :confused:

Everything else goes inside the vehicle, spars jutting from a window if necessary... just be careful on the trip home, especially if the spars jut a bit to the shotgun side. I'm still rooting for the Panther, if that were here in my neighborhood I already would've bought it... and if ya wait too long, some other hand will snap it up. And know this: rigging & hardware can easily be upgraded, while that hull and sail don't look that bad. :rolleyes:

Don't forget tie-downs or straps if ya go, stop and buy some $5 utility rope from Walmart if necessary, just to get the boat home... later, you can dial in the securement system for cartopping, or get yourself a small trailer when ya get around to it. Again, all this is just my $.02, and I wouldn't buy the Panther to circumnavigate the freakin' globe, but for summer fun I'm puttin' my money on her pronto... Cheers!!! :cool:

P.S. You're not bad at making decisions, you're simply weighing all the factors, which is what any experienced hand would do... ;)
Another thought is that you don't necessarily have to buy a boat trailer. If you could use a small flat bed trailer for other things, or find one cheaper, you could always install some padding to cradle the boat and have a multi-use item.
 

Back
Top