I'm thinking about rebuilding my little trailer so that it will become more easier to launch my Sunfish in the water. Can you guys share some pics of the trailers you use for your Sunfishes? I need some good examples of contruction and how many rollers I'll need. Many thanks in advance.
I'm thinking about rebuilding my little trailer so that it will become more easier to launch my Sunfish in the water. Can you guys share some pics of the trailers you use for your Sunfishes? I need some good examples of contruction and how many rollers I'll need. Many thanks in advance.
Taking a page from my BIL's 22' MacGregor trailer, his trailer had only two bunks, but arranged lengthwise. Welding ability will be needed to accommodate the Sunfish.
The two 2x6s readily bent to support the hull—and strongly.For a Sunfish, two 5/4ths decking lumber (1¼" in Canada) would work. Even Trex, Azek, or other artificial lumber should be considered. Wet or Dry, the Trex/Azek surface is slick, so the Sunfish will readily launch or recover. I'm using one Trex board at the "bitter" edge of my Sunfish ramp.
I would have used more, but there weren't enough remaining of the right length in the dumpster.
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Here’s a picture of my trailer. It was built in the 60s. Very heavy duty. Far more robust than is needed to carry my light little sunfish. It was designed for a power boat. I have modified it to give more support on the sides. The Green things are actually foam rubber kneepads used in gardening. I strapped them to the wood support rails to provide some extra shock absorbency while on the road.
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By "Travois", I meant a wooden triangular "trailer" used by American Indians to move their tents across the plains.
Whoever the European Sunfish manufacturer was back then used black edge trim. Probably it is black anodized aluminum. It is probably not black electrical tape. . https://www.sunfishclass.org/documents/Windward_Leg_summer_1981.pdf
Not really overkill - slapping a foresail on a una-rig boat simply won't work unless the centreboard is moved forward, the mast aft, or both.Seems like overkill... I can still remember when the Laser 2 appeared on the scene (some folks called it a "Taser" at the time), and I thought THAT was overkill, though I must confess I wanted to try one, LOL.
Just read your travelogues on the Los Coronados trips. Cool stuff.... Too many good memories, I reckon, stretched out over decades of my life... 76 square feet of mainsail, enough to power my boat and take me clear to Los Coronados in Mexican waters during some of the finest adventures in my life. What more does a dedicated small craft sailor need? ...