Sailfish purchase

JohnSaw

New Member
Hi, I am thinking of buying a sailfish but it is in need it some TLC. It has been left outside for many years and needs some sanding down and fiberglass, it isn’t very heavy so I’m hoping it’s dry inside. But have some questions. Do you think I should add some access ports to check how the inside is? Should I try and open the seams to get to inside or just sand them and then seal them up? The mast is wooden and slightly damaged at bottom, can this be repaired or is it best to make a new mast?
Thanks for any advice
 

Attachments

  • E4E01200-32FE-4A6C-8D8F-89AC1B0BB967.jpeg
    E4E01200-32FE-4A6C-8D8F-89AC1B0BB967.jpeg
    853.3 KB · Views: 69
  • 203CBF65-64D3-44B8-932E-8C2443DE17E7.jpeg
    203CBF65-64D3-44B8-932E-8C2443DE17E7.jpeg
    908.4 KB · Views: 46
  • E9ADC23F-E471-4FD5-82FF-AF7269C32C03.jpeg
    E9ADC23F-E471-4FD5-82FF-AF7269C32C03.jpeg
    1.1 MB · Views: 46
  • 1969BBC5-36A0-45CD-9630-D64DC3FAC385.jpeg
    1969BBC5-36A0-45CD-9630-D64DC3FAC385.jpeg
    644.8 KB · Views: 49
  • D376258E-7790-49EF-A1B8-D36F19753485.jpeg
    D376258E-7790-49EF-A1B8-D36F19753485.jpeg
    826.4 KB · Views: 46
  • AAC1C04D-41A1-4CFE-86EC-38F66B3DECFB.jpeg
    AAC1C04D-41A1-4CFE-86EC-38F66B3DECFB.jpeg
    619.2 KB · Views: 53
  • 58EF3423-44C7-45EE-9E99-998026F67A74.jpeg
    58EF3423-44C7-45EE-9E99-998026F67A74.jpeg
    712.9 KB · Views: 47
You’re looking at a Sunfish, not a Sailfish (Sailfish doesn’t have a cockpit) And it’s in rough shape- I’d pass on it. In fact, unless it’s $100 or less (sail, if in decent shape, and spars and rudder are worth that) I wouldn’t even look at it. The mast will need to be replaced, but the biggest issue is the aluminum trim appears to be missing from the perimeter and the hull is split. Epoxy can repair the split, but finding that trim will be very difficult and is quite expensive to ship if you do find it. If it’s not heavy and you don’t hear blocks rattling around in the hull then there’s no need to add ports.
 
Further, that boat came with an aluminum mast so the wood is home made. I’d pass on that boat even if it is $100 ! Lots of work and parts are needed to make it a decent boat.

But BB is right - if the parts are in decent shape you could part the boat out and make some money. But then you will have the hull/carcass to dispose of. And given the shape the hull is in, I’m not optimistic about the condition of the parts!
 
Right, Beldar, the spars look rough, the sail was most likely left outside with the boat and the tiller is toast. Even the bow handle doesn’t look original. I’ll bet the deck drain is missing, too!
 
Thanks guys for your advice, the guy is selling cheap I was trying to get if for 150/200€ but not looking to sell on the parts was hoping to restore it. Would a new mast be expensive to have made? Thanks
 
The advice you have been given so far is solid.

And yes, you can have a mast made; the specs are available on this Forum. But I wouldn't go that route.

PS: Where (in Europe?) are you located?
 
That boat looks like a borderline case of having any positive monetary value at all. At the moment it's unsailable, and it would take a fair amount of time and money to change that. Even if the other parts are ok, I don't think there's a market for any Sunfish-specific equipment anywhere near you (I believe the closest activity is in Italy).

Masts are sold by LaserPerformance in England (seem to be sold out at the moment...), but for your purposes, any stock aluminium tube that fits in the mast step would probably do.

_
 
Hi, I’m in Spain so a bit difficult to find parts . Thanks for all your advice, really like the sunfish hopefully something in the future turns up
 
I don't imagine that Sunfish are plentiful in Spain, so the discussion should take that into consideration. Does it have all the other parts? It might be a good starter boat. You can make a mast, the original Sunfish had wooden spars. 2 1/4 inch diameter, 10 feet long and it can even be tapered a bit at the top, with either a sheave or block. Depending on the condition of the rest of the mast it could be repaired with a scarfed piece.

If you can find a metal shop that does aluminum tubing they might cut you a new mast, and you could buy some end caps.
Style: Round Tube
Finish: Clear Anodized
Length: 10' (3.05 m)
OD: 2-1/4" (57.15 mm)
Wall Thickness: .083" (2.11 mm)

It should weigh 139 pounds. If the weight is close, there is no need for inspection ports.

I would also do an air leak test with low pressure low volume air. You can clean out the seams with a small fileI and inject thickened epoxy into the seam with a syringe. We have several viseos on our youtube channel, search for air leak test when you get to the youtube site.


If you look on the transom there might be a Hull ID Number that could tell her age.

You might have access to parts over there, or shipping from the US might not be too expensive (if there are not COVID restrictions).

PS I saw your message somewhere else (facebook, youtube?) but can't find it now. You are in the right place to get a lot of good tips from a great group of people!
 
Last edited:

Back
Top