Nautos probably doesn't think of themselves as "competing" against any builder in a market for "builder-supplied" equipment. They just produce the stuff, and if someone buys it, fine. They don't care about any class rules. Likewise, LP probably thinks they can, as the trademark holder, use any fittings they wish, including ones made by Nautos. They don't care if a manufacturer also produces other parts which aren't legal.Interesting that they use Nautos blocks as they sell Sunfish and Laser parts competing against LaserPerformance.
Unfortunately LP and prior builders own the rights and design of the Sunfish, unlike ILCA. They can do as they please. While prior builders mostly honored the one design principles of the Sunfish, LP seems unconcerned. Thus we get boats with no foam blocks, rudders with cavitation issues, etc. LP seems to have little interest in a construction manual - similar to the Laser situation, although their Sunfish change to eliminate foam blocks is more flagrant.Nautos probably doesn't think of themselves as "competing" against any builder in a market for "builder-supplied" equipment. They just produce the stuff, and if someone buys it, fine. They don't care about any class rules. Likewise, LP probably thinks they can, as the trademark holder, use any fittings they wish, including ones made by Nautos. They don't care if a manufacturer also produces other parts which aren't legal.
Does the Sunfish class have a construction manual like the Laser does, where even tiny details like this may be spelled out? Or is it all just tradition, like the blocks coming (until now) from Racelite only because that's how it has "always" been...?
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Thanks for the tip. Wouldn’t want to bust a gasket. This is under the mainsheet block:Hi, I just heard of a new ice blue boat that was manufactured without a vent hole. It sat in the sun, the air inside heated up, and several seams popped as a result. You might want to check with your dealer to see where the vent hole is supposed to be and be sure it is there. Chris
Thanks for the nice report!
We have had some spirited discussion on this forum about the origin of 2019 and newer Sunfish.
The ones at the 2019 Worlds had the 'Made in the UK' label on the stern, but some really knowledgeable participants claimed the boats were actually made in China.
2. Somewhat surprised that the boat didn't come with an adjustable gooseneck clamp. Those are really quite handy for adjustments to the rig.
3. Because your boat is so nice, be careful not to scratch the deck with the bolt sticking out from the underside of the boom.
4. Get some sheet hangers; you can buy them, but you can improvise just fine.
5. I don't know what the third red rope is for either. Bowline perhaps?
Hey GoldenDuck, I do like that block. My cleat is oriented the other way and I thought it might be easier to uncleat in a gust. I'll be interested in how it works for you the way you have it. Really like that boat!thought about switching the cam so that it un-cleats the other way.
Hey GoldenDuck, I do like that block. My cleat is oriented the other way and I thought it might be easier to uncleat in a gust. I'll be interested in how it works for you the way you have it. Really like that boat!
Now you see why this works on catamarans where the mainsheet always pulls approximately in the same direction, and the cleat is attached to a multiple block: it doesn't "wobble"! Because the vertical angle of the block changes when you want to cleat/uncleat, you end up moving the sheet a lot more than is practical. This is why no serious racers in Sunfish/Laser type boats use this.the mainsheet block and cam worked but I am thinking of flipping the cam. The block wobbles around too much and that makes it hard to uncleat in a gust.
On the sail yesterday, the mainsheet block and cam worked but I am thinking of flipping the cam. The block wobbles around too much and that makes it hard to uncleat in a gust.
Here's a video I did that specifically addresses the "wobble" you are referring to as well as other tuning that I did that turned this block and cam cleat arrangement from a set up I wasn't satisfied with to one I really like. It's referred to as the, "57 mm Carbo Ratchet Block With Cam".
Initially, I tried sailing my Sunfish with the cam cleat facing down but didn't like it. Following the set up from a sailor on this forum who posted a picture of this block and cam cleat combo years ago, I switched the cam cleat to facing upwards and with the proper adjustment of the angle of the cam cleat relative to the horizon, uncleating the main sheet is easy. I can do it just by flicking the sheet with my hand.
I've got this block and cam cleat set up on 2 of my Sunfishes. I personally know of 6 people who have sailed with this set up on my 2 Sunfishes and they have had no problems cleating and uncleating the main sheet. And now Norcalsail has one on his Sunfish. Follow the tuning steps in the video I put together and it will work great.
Cheers,
- Andy