It depends on how long you intend to store it and the lake you’re on. I don’t know about other areas, but in Florida leaving a boat in the water on a freshwater lake will stain anything touching the water brown after a few weeks. Your boat will certainly deteriorate a bit due to prolonged exposure. If leaving it in the water is intended to be a long term solution and not a temporary solution I’d advise against it, but aside from that, the boat should be fine if left in the water for short term storage, though it will need more maintenance if you want to keep it looking nice. I have a sunfish that spent 10 years in a lake and it still sails fine.Hello all, I just moved to a place on a small lake and am looking to get a Sunfish to sail around on it. My issue is that I may not have a convenient place to store it nearby. It's an apartment complex with future plans to build boat storage that was delayed by covid, and storing in carport is not allowed.
While I'm sure leaving it in the water (covered, sail and foils removed, tied to dock) is not ideal or recommended, is there any reason I could not do so for the time being? This would be a new Sunfish (not finding any used for sale in my area) so I'm not expecting hull leakage to be an issue, and I expect to sail it for a few hours each weekend at minimum.
Would you cut with the Wuhan Flu thing? You may think it’s funny, but it is Coronavirus and not a flu. 440,000 dead in US isn’t funny.Odd that the Wuhan Flu prevents storage in your carport. Shouldn't the Wuhan Flu allow storage in your carport?
Odd that the Wuhan Flu prevents storage in your carport. Shouldn't the Wuhan Flu allow storage in your carport?
I bought a Sunfish that was moored on a cold and pristine lake. It, too, showed a "semi-permanent" waterline stain from algae. (The stain was detectable after cleaning).
If possible, float the boat on the side of the dock that receives the least wave (or wake) action. A location far from powerboats would be best. (Let them have the outer berths).
One clever idea I've seen was to float a long 4-inch diameter PVC pipe between the dock and boat. Wave action becomes "confused", and much reduced.
"Spring lines" are recommended.
A shallow lake near me has a veritable fleet of canoes, kayaks, and Sunfish moored in knee-deep water. Is a mooring offshore possible?
I am in a similar situation, I keep my Laser, Pico, and 420 moored to the dock in our small lake. My biggest issue is that I find it very difficult to put the cover on correctly when it is in the water, so I end up leaving the cover off. Also, invest in at least 2 fenders/bumpers (mine are installed on the dock, I have 2 of these Amazon.com : Hull Hugr Marina Bumper - 60", White (HH-A60) : Sports & Outdoors)
I used to sail 420s when I was younger. Hope to get one again once I get the lady trained up on sailing basics enought to be my crew and move to a house with some storage space (not sure which is going to come quicker heh). Thank you for your note about the cover. Is the difficulty in trying to do it from dock without standing/floating in the water, or that the boat being in the water allows it to move around enough that getting leverage to pull the cover tight and over the corners is difficult?
There is a lake in Eastern Mass. that has all Sunfish on moorings. Most are fine, as long as the daggerboard area doesn't leak. Thy don't fully sink when leaking. They just get heavy. If you are buying a new boat, I would strongly recommend a Fulcrum Speedworks Rocket over a Chinese Sunfish. They are stronger hulls with reinforcement in the dagger trunk and 30 pounds lighter, so they will sit higher out of the water when moored.
Revolutionary Sailboat for Sale | Fulcrum Speedworks
Revolutionary sailboat for sale could be the most exciting purchase for you. Visit our website for more information. Fulcrum Speedworks is here to help.www.fulcrumspeedworks.com
Advice sought for keeping sunfish on the water
For the first time I have the opportunity to keep my boat on the water, tied to a dock. I'm finding some challenges though. The Storm cover I've got is difficult to put on while the boat is on the water: (a) there are no holes in the cover to accommodate lines from the bow handle and the...sailingforums.com
Can I leave Sunfish in lake all summer
New sunfish owner here. I was wondering if I could leave sunfish tied to a dock for the summer? Appreciate any ideas re covering boat or sail. thankssailingforums.com
If you can, I'd build two small frames out of pipe or similar material to hold the Sunfish hull 6" or so above the water. A friend has a similar setup for a canoe and or paddleboat - a piece of PVC on one of the pipe frames allows the boat to be slid easily up out of the water onto the frames.
I agree if you are buying a new small sailboat, and not planning to race in any Sunfish class events, the Rocket is the way to go (RS Aero and Melges 14 are other similar options). that website and video are all we have to go on right now for the Rocket, as they are brand new, but they do look great.
Sunfish are currently built in China, and from various posts on the Forum recently, seem to have questionable quality control - I'd personally avoid a brand new Sunfish.
I agree if you are buying a new small sailboat, and not planning to race in any Sunfish class events, the Rocket is the way to go (RS Aero and Melges 14 are other similar options). that website and video are all we have to go on right now for the Rocket, as they are brand new, but they do look great.
Sunfish are currently built in China, and from various posts on the Forum recently, seem to have questionable quality control - I'd personally avoid a brand new Sunfish.
When I broke a mast, I ordered four, delivered in a week. They're all sold now--even taking a trade-in--so I'm actually ahead for the experience.Seaotter is correct, Sunfish hulls built in the UK as of late. Laser Performance did not have any hull is stock when I talked to Brent a week or so back, but expect more containers in soon. They are also looking at parts orders and chasing the ever-changing landscape of suppliers in a Pandemic. So if folks need parts, you might want to track them down now, new or used, and at least get an order in if new is desired so the supply chain has some time to react. I know my local Pensacola Beach Dealer will order spars only when he knows he has 3 or 4 customers, then he'll drop an order for 8-10 sets of spars to spread out the freight charge, which he eats. Most businesses today can't afford to have warehouses of dusty inventory, manufacturer included.
You don't have Wake-Setter boats on your lake?
I have put the laser and the pico on the dock and checked for water about every other month. The Pico does retain water (a lot!), but so far the laser has not had any water. YMMV.P-1000, here is my setup in a Miami lake (Pico, 420, and Laser). I leave all 3 boats in the water all the time, and it works fine for me for the laser and the Pico (the 420 doesn't have a way of draining rainwater, so I am looking for another solution, such as a bailer or a cover). The tradeoffs are the Pico will probably get sun damaged fairly quickly (I had to replace a cracked fairlead, ~$2), the Laser does get algae in the cockpit, I am only able to get the bottom batten in the Laser, and the Laser sail does look ugly, and probably wears out much quicker. The upside is that it takes me 5 minutes to get sailing once I make that decision, and 5 minutes after I dock I am done. Which means I can sail whenever I want. It is a tradeoff. (I have had these boats since last May, so maybe the issues take longer to appear?)
I have not noticed any algae on the outside of the boat, even though there is tons of algae in the summertime in the lake.
If the Sunfish has a way to drain rainwater, you will be in a similar situation to the Laser (maybe better if the sail/upper mast are easier to raise).
[Edit: I am a newbie, only 9 months of having a sailboats so take the more experienced guys advice to heart, but this has worked for me]
View attachment 43942
I like this idea, considering for 420, but wouldn't this scrape the boat as it slides on and off the PVC?This was the prototype setup I used to keep my Sunfish in the water. I improved the setup later on but don't have any pics.
Just two simple screw in augers into the lake bottom and then the lightweight PVC frames slip right over them. I don't keep my gear on it usually, but it is very easy on and off. I just lift the front up and slide it forward, self-centering, then hop the back end up. I added cleats later which made much easier tie down. Add some foam and you're good. Took some 50 MPH winds like a champ.
In about 50 days it will be back in the lake, weather permitting
Oh, and it's cheap to build.
View attachment 43934
According to the Sunfish Class Association, the boats are being built in China, but come with GB as the country code on the stern. They got this information from Laser Performance and it is current as of a couple weeks ago. It is surprising that is legal, but apparently it is. LP showed photos of making sunfish in the UK, but apparently they did not stick with it. They also claim they will soon be making Sunfish in Portugal, but who knows.I thought that I had read that they are being built in Britain now.
I emailed with someone at LP today and he said all Sunfish are being made in Great Britain and production will be moving to Portugal. He said all Chinese production has ended.I thought that I had read that they are being built in Britain now.
I like this idea, considering for 420, but wouldn't this scrape the boat as it slides on and off the PVC?
I agree! I hadn't known about the Rocket before reviewing this chain, but it looks like a great option - lighter-weight so easier to get up onto the floating dock where I'll store it (along with two kayaks), plus its made in Rhode Island - conveniently close to MA where I live!The more I read about the Rocket the more I like it! The rudder T-foil in the upcoming “Interceptor” setup sounds like it could be a fun future upgrade too.
I agree! I hadn't known about the Rocket before reviewing this chain, but it looks like a great option - lighter-weight so easier to get up onto the floating dock where I'll store it (along with two kayaks), plus its made in Rhode Island - conveniently close to MA where I live!
They are a top quality builder. Owner used to own Vanguard, who made Sunfish until selling out to Laser Performance, who trashed the company.I agree! I hadn't known about the Rocket before reviewing this chain, but it looks like a great option - lighter-weight so easier to get up onto the floating dock where I'll store it (along with two kayaks), plus its made in Rhode Island - conveniently close to MA where I live!