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  1. M

    More than one boat??

    I would always look to see what others around me are sailing, especially at the local sailing clubs. There are a number of reasons for this, not the least being that a big part of the enjoyment factor comes from group activities, or at least having that option. Plus resale, plus spare parts...
  2. M

    A few sunfish questions...

    A couple of add'l notes: Hiking and easing is thebway to go as a reaction to being overpowered. In a more extreme case you may find you can also help regain control by raising the daggerboard just a bit. You may slip a bit but if you are having trouble even after hiking, that can help in some...
  3. M

    A few sunfish questions...

    This guide is still most helpful, despite being more than twenty years old. It includes everything you need to know, almost, including ideal telltail placement. www.sunfishclass.org/documents/tuning_guide.pdf Mast cleats are nice but by no means necessary. The rule is to mount them no more...
  4. M

    Theological question about which side of mast the sail goes on - continued

    Thanks for linking the LaserPerformance site! That was likely the left-handed Sunfish with 'classic' wooden blades, according to the pictures. I see we can order boats directly, by-passing what they must see as their now inconvenient dealer network. It has a box for 'coupon code' and when I...
  5. M

    Thank you for help and getting boat sail ready questions

    Cai I am late in suggesting this, but the first thing that I would very much recommend is making some connections with local Sunfish class members. Even if you don't race, just showing up at an event will likely change your entire experience with your Sunfish. I will go out on a limb and...
  6. M

    First post, First trip

    Sounds exciting! I'll throw in a few things I'm sure you know about already, but might be new to someone. Anytime from now until April should be really nice, but it goes without saying to track the weather. You will be mostly reaching which will be really nice, and if you are lucky you will...
  7. M

    First post; need help picking out car to tow Sunfish

    Normally I would say an 02 Tahoe is borderline and 'it depends.'. In most other cases(*) I would say that if the vehicle is black or dark blue and has a prominently displayed US Sailing sticker and maybe even a front license plate comprised of a yacht club pennant where the club's exclusivity...
  8. M

    Transporting a Sunfish on its side.

    You can trailer a Sunfish on its side, as they are very robust, but as a practical matter and especially for long travel the problem I usually run into is that the splashguard gets in the way and prevents the deck from laying flat and flush against the trailer. If I try to position the boat so...
  9. M

    First post; need help picking out car to tow Sunfish

    Here's the best description, from the widely read blog post that vaulted the term Mommy-boat into the universal sailing lexicon: http://propercourse.blogspot.com/2007/06/mommy-boats.html Also: http://sailingmagazine.net/article-1029-sailing-can-foster-self-reliance-without-the-mommy-boat.html...
  10. M

    Harken vs. Ronstan

    It sounds like you are recreational sailing so anything you choose would be fine. For the decision between Harken or Ronstan I think I still stick with my comments from 2012 above. I like either, but personally happen to prefer the Ronstan myself for racing because of the teeth and action...
  11. M

    First post; need help picking out car to tow Sunfish

    I love this thread! Gunnar, there really is an unwritten but universal vehicle hierarchy among serious sailors. You should be aware of it, and here are just a few points: At the top of the list are a few vehicles, the most impressive example of which was driven by one of my heros, a Sunfish...
  12. M

    Sunfish's favored tack

    Judging by the screen shot, you certainly are not making the headway on starboard that one would normally expect. I don't know about the speed but the pointing angles would make me want to see your setup. Can you take some pics, or better yet have someone take some of you next time you are...
  13. M

    Cleat on Mast

    I guess everyone has their own vang variation, but the way I tie it, it doesn't matter what kind of mast cleat I'm using, or whether there is any at all. Whether with a cleat or not, I use two separate tie-offs on the deck horn cleat - one 'half-cleating'straight from the mast before the vang...
  14. M

    Cleat on Mast

    I still have a horn cleat on my oldest mast and it has been fine for years, but once I started using the side-entry I've never done another horn cleat installation again. The clam cleats have never even slightly damaged any line I have had at all, but then again I don't use the old...
  15. M

    Cleat on Mast

    The best cleat for the job, by the way, is the 'Clamcleat C21MK1' side entry clam cleat. As well as being fast, easy, and secure, it has a curvature to the base that about matches the mast surface, so it seats properly. Use a little 3m 5500 when installing, on the seating surface and a dab in...
  16. M

    Getting Back Into the Boat

    That's what I was thinking when I saw that, not to mention waves. When I go over it's usually for a reason, and a lot more dramatic. Wrapping a line around my foot wouldn't be the first choice, especially in conditions where the boat might continue right on over on top of me (how many...
  17. M

    Unstayed Sailboats

    You are in luck! There is an Italian builder, Navi Perini, that successfully built a 289' sailboat with unstayed masts. And talk about 'fitting 3-4 comfortably'! So, it's at least possible. I assume that like me you may not yet amassed a Tom Perkins sailing budget, however. While they are...
  18. M

    Introduction

    I would not even consider prying up the hull for foam replacemnt, for a number of reasons. New foam, not to mention the labor involved, would be more than the end result is worth. And the end result could be a net negative. Like many on this thread, I have restored many Sunfish and for camp...
  19. M

    Tracking App

    . Great picture; great post; great thread. Looks like a mini class revival should be in the cards some day soon. What a great boat this is for kids. Whenever I have let our club's younger sailors borrow the mini it disappears for the longest times, and eventually the embarrassed parent on...
  20. M

    Repair Help!

    Unless this were a newer and particularly valuable Vanguard-era or more recent boat, I would be reluctant to go pro too quickly. As with any restoration it is way too easy to spend far more than the finished project will ever be worth. If you have a competent friend with the paint spraying...

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