The mast just snapped on my lovely 52-year old Sunfish that this forum helped me restore in 2018. It looks like I could use aluminium conduit as a replacement (since shipping the replacement from Michigan is prohibitive). Anyone have experience of this? There doesn't seem to be much of a second...
I got out on the water this weekend! No paint job yet, but she's water-worthy. It took three new inspection ports, some pop-riveting, marine epoxy repairs to the hull, new backing blocks and fresh sheets, plus a shiny new cotter pin for the rudder. And we're off! Planning for a paint job soon...
Update from beginner'sville:
I finally got an uninterrupted weekend to make some progress.
I did a thorough investigation of all the backing blocks and determined that I needed to replace or refix many. All now done!
I preferred to cut a couple of inspection ports rather than split the boat...
And a couple more questions:
1) The residual little stump pictured here presumably used to anchor the chain on which the pin hung that secured the rudder. Unless I replace that pin with one on a chain, presumably this element is redundant and could be filled?
2) The bronze plate pulled away...
Update after a couple of Saturdays, the bottom of the hull is clean, repaired and sanded. I fixed a pop rivet, and found another place at the stern where I need to put the trim back into place. Before I do, I'm focusing on making sure I have all the parts I need for the rudder. I have a lot of...
Update on cleaning: this is as far as Tilex, Soft Scrub and Magic Eraser have taken me. It's so much better than when I found it covered in lichen that I'm no judge of how for to go. Worth powerwashing as well? Or some other stage before giving it a polish? I'm not too fussed about perfection...
Ooh, please don't bow out! I'm valuing both the 'scrappy but on the water quick' and the 'if a job's worth doing' points of view. I won't be building a boat dolly, probably but buying one. Curious to hear your thinking on the rims and tires tho'.
Now for some pictures of the sails... There are two. The blue one is in worse shape with a number of repairs that I have photographed closely. the yellow-red-orange one is sound except for some slits in the window. Since I haven't yet put the boat together, I'm not sure which sheet is which...
Hey Whitecap, I'm excited to follow your journey. I've just inherited a 1967 Sunfish. Looks like it was in better shape than yours was, and I don't have quite the same stomach for painstaking repairs, but your guide is already giving a lot of the pointers I need to get moving!
This, and the other posts, are very helpful for me getting going. I'm excited to report that I found the serial number - 41690 - which puts the manufacturing year as 1967. Coincidentally, this is my own year of manufacture! The boat and I have both weathered fairly well, but I think I've taken...
Now that the rain has stopped I got some pictures, and weighed the boat, per advice. It's only 140lb so I'm optimistic I can dry it out enough. So, I'm definitely on the project! Attached are various pics of parts of the hull, daggerboard, tiller, rudder etc. Bear with me because all my names...
I recently moved to a house on a lake and a prior owner (not the most recent one) left a 1986 Sunfish there. The prior owner was fastidious and I believe all the parts are there. But the boat has been unused for 15 years (the folk I bought the house from were not sailors) and I think it's...
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