What would be a good storage option for this type of situation? Buying a dolly seems overkill. Should I get a couple of pressure treated 2x4s and wrap them with carpet remnants and slide the boat up and down on those? Any other thoughts?
Looking at Hobie Mirage pedals on eBay (wouldn't that be a fun DIY installation in a Sunfishthere are a variety of DIY Sunfish dollies you can make for relatively cheap. mine is maybe $100. if you sprung the cash for a brand new Sunfish, a dolly seems like cheap insurance to keep that hull bottom shiny and looking like new!
Looking at Hobie Mirage pedals on eBay (wouldn't that be a fun DIY installation in a Sunfish), I came across a dolly for a Jon-boat for $31.99. There was no statement regarding weight capacity.
jonboat dolly | eBay
Even for a Jon-boat, it looks flimsy, but maybe for a short distance may be serviceable for a Sunfish, Snark, or Sailfish. Anyone have experience with this one?View attachment 18975
I keep my race 'fish on a ramp made out of a 4' X 8' sheet of 3/4" thick pressure treated plywood with a boat trailer roller on the outboard end and a single carpet padded transverse mounted bunk amidships. The edges of the plywood is stiffened with pressure treated 2" X 4" studs. The ramp is attached to my dock in about 2' of water. I have a Sailor's Taylor mast-up cover and leave the sail and spars on the boat all summer. I tie the hull down at the bow handle forward and across the hull amidships. It is easy to lift on and off the ramp, but the keel does not actually rest on the roller except when launching or pulling the hull on to the ramp. I have used this rig for 20 years with no hull damage. Sorry, no photos.
Alan Glos
Cazenovia, NY
I got another eBay notice of a price reduction, but it's at the same price!I've tried this one but it didn't work well with a sunfish. Its not obvious from the pic, but the v-shape is too deep and more designed for a kayak shape. Also there's no easy way to get a sunfish on it and strapped down. It would take some modification to the design that i haven't tried yet.
I got another eBay notice of a price reduction, but it's at the same price!(And "There's only 1 left" ).
With a capacity of 100 pounds, and the Sunfish heavier by ~35 pounds, you'll have to place this dolly under the transom—only—and carry a minimum of ~35 pounds at the bow handle.
To use this admittedly flimsy dolly, I'd secure a board (in red) in the "V", but not allow it to touch the hull. (The bottom of the V is a weak point). Put a 3/8 bolt through it at "a", so it engages the bottom gudgeon (and not allow the Sunfish to slip off). Secure the bottom axles together (b and c), so they can't spread under load. I'd suggest using a wire cable. Secure the folded "stand" to the axles permanently for strength.
Some of that ~35 pounds can be relieved with a pipe bent into an "L" shape. Drop the short end into the 2¼" mast step, and secure the long end at the bow handle—leaving a couple of feet for a handle. The friendly people at Meineke muffler might be of assistance here with 2" pipe—maybe have a scrap for free.
View attachment 18989
I agree, and thanks to the wonders of (free) Picasa, I prepared a graphic with the steel handle that moves much of the load off the flimsy dolly, and should help move "difficult" dollies.At the very bottom of the description it states that the load capacity is 100 lbs but for that price it might be worth a shot.
I got another eBay notice of a price reduction, but it's at the same price!(And "There's only 1 left" ).
With a capacity of 100 pounds, and the Sunfish heavier by ~35 pounds, you'll have to place this dolly under the transom—only—and carry a minimum of ~35 pounds at the bow handle.
To use this admittedly flimsy dolly, I'd secure a board (in red) in the "V", but not allow it to touch the hull. (The bottom of the V is a weak point). Put a 3/8 bolt through it at "a", so it engages the bottom gudgeon (and not allow the Sunfish to slip off). Secure the bottom axles together (b and c), so they can't spread under load. I'd suggest using a wire cable. Secure the folded "stand" to the axles permanently for strength.
Some of that ~35 pounds can be relieved with a pipe bent into an "L" shape. Drop the short end into the 2¼" mast step, and secure the long end at the bow handle—leaving a couple of feet for a handle. The friendly people at Meineke muffler might be of assistance here with 2" pipe—maybe have a scrap for free.
View attachment 18989
Modified, and used at only one end of the Sunfish, I also think "it's worth a shot".At the very bottom of the description it states that the load capacity is 100 lbs but for that price it might be worth a shot.