Barnacle_Bob
Member
Hello! My wife has always wanted a Sunfish; but, they’re fairly uncommon here in Arizona. So, when one popped up on Craigslist a few weeks ago, we bought it after giving it a cursory inspection. It’s a 1977 AMF Alcort Sunfish “Classic Edition” (black mast and spars) and it came with a Montgomery Ward trailer - so I knew it was a smoking deal! It also came with some of the original paperwork, which was kind of cool.
Now, we’re wanting to take it for our first sail. I think all of the parts are there - wooden dagger board, wooden rudder, mast and spars. The sail is original and shot - it’s got some major holes in it. So, a couple of newbie questions:
- I need to buy a new sail. I see nice ones online from North Sails which I’m sure are great - I have a nice new main from North on our Catalina 22 and love it. But, my wife cares more about the sail color - and, technically, this one is HER boat. I see some cheapie ~$150 sails online from various sail lofts and chandleries. We will sail it together recreationally, and I will race it in our local club in the “Portsmouth” fleet ... a mismash of various small craft all handicapped ... there is one other Sunfish in the fleet, and that person is not highly “competitive”. So, question #1 - will I regret buying a cheapie starter sail? Is the performance difference compared to a nice North sail really all that noticeable? My gut is telling me that it’ll be fine for recreational sailing, and if I find myself doing poorly in the club racing, I’ll then consider picking up a nice racing sail. Thoughts and advice?
- Last question ... what else should I be concerned with / looking at, before taking it out for the first time? I’m replacing the halyard, sheet, and sail. Is there a way to test the functioning of the cockpit drain before getting out there? Anything else to worry about? I bought the Sunfish Bible and am slowly making my way through it ... but, would appreciated inputs from others.
We’re looking forward to wet-pants sailing! Thanks in advance for any pro tips and advice.
- Bob
Arizona Yacht Club - yes, there IS one!
1977 Sunfish “Classic Edition” sail number 51802
Now, we’re wanting to take it for our first sail. I think all of the parts are there - wooden dagger board, wooden rudder, mast and spars. The sail is original and shot - it’s got some major holes in it. So, a couple of newbie questions:
- I need to buy a new sail. I see nice ones online from North Sails which I’m sure are great - I have a nice new main from North on our Catalina 22 and love it. But, my wife cares more about the sail color - and, technically, this one is HER boat. I see some cheapie ~$150 sails online from various sail lofts and chandleries. We will sail it together recreationally, and I will race it in our local club in the “Portsmouth” fleet ... a mismash of various small craft all handicapped ... there is one other Sunfish in the fleet, and that person is not highly “competitive”. So, question #1 - will I regret buying a cheapie starter sail? Is the performance difference compared to a nice North sail really all that noticeable? My gut is telling me that it’ll be fine for recreational sailing, and if I find myself doing poorly in the club racing, I’ll then consider picking up a nice racing sail. Thoughts and advice?
- Last question ... what else should I be concerned with / looking at, before taking it out for the first time? I’m replacing the halyard, sheet, and sail. Is there a way to test the functioning of the cockpit drain before getting out there? Anything else to worry about? I bought the Sunfish Bible and am slowly making my way through it ... but, would appreciated inputs from others.
We’re looking forward to wet-pants sailing! Thanks in advance for any pro tips and advice.
- Bob
Arizona Yacht Club - yes, there IS one!
1977 Sunfish “Classic Edition” sail number 51802