Sunfish Clone

glaufman

New Member
Hi all...
I just (last night) bought a used "Sunfish" and am suddenly worried that I bought a clone/copy/knockoff...

Although the SN is where I think it is supposed to be, it doesn't match any of the patterns I can find... it starts with 8KM... ends with 76H...

I understand there are some 40 different copies of the Sunfish... does anyone have a comprehensive list of specs/identifying marks these would have?

Any suggestions for how I can identify if this is indeed a Sunfish, and if not, what it is?
Here's a picture...
01010901150601041020080504da6df73d773655415e00e020.jpg

The seller signed a BofS saying it was a Sunfish, so I might have recourse...
 
Hi all...
I just (last night) bought a used "Sunfish" and am suddenly worried that I bought a clone/copy/knockoff...

Although the SN is where I think it is supposed to be, it doesn't match any of the patterns I can find... it starts with 8KM... ends with 76H...

I understand there are some 40 different copies of the Sunfish... does anyone have a comprehensive list of specs/identifying marks these would have?

Any suggestions for how I can identify if this is indeed a Sunfish, and if not, what it is?

Try http://uscgboating.org/recalls/mic_database.htm
 
The name Sunfish seems to have been assimilated into our vocabulary to generically refer to any board boat sporting a lateen sail. During the 1970s and 1980s the scope likely included several times the number remaining afloat today. I have seen many a used “clonefish” advertised as a Sunfish simply because the owner never knew anything different.

Your 8KM might actually be SKM in which case it would be Skimmer Boat Co., who did make a Sunfish knock-off. 76H, probably M76H, would make it their 1976 model built in (H) March of that year.

I am not aware of any all encompassing database for small boats. There are some different web sites that have lists of boats in this size range.

Shorty Pen
http://www.shortypen.com/brdboat

Sail Insignia list
http://www.msogphotosite.com/MSOG/pdfpage/mslogo.pdf

Sunfish_Sailor Clonefish List
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sunfish_sailor

These web pages often include pointers to further resources.
 
Thanks, great info there... unfortunately, none of hte pics I see on those sites look like my boat... mine looks much more like a sunfish... with the possible exceptions of the sun chaser I and II, neither of which I could get pictures for...

I'm really bummed right now...
 
I've contacted Sunfish Class and they've promised to help... also the Coast Guard database turned up nothing on 8KM... it did of course agree that SKM would be Skimmar, but they're out of business...
 
Your picture didn't post, could you try it again? Does your sail have a logo or a sail maker label? What's the cockpit arrangement look like? One identifying key is the rudder and rudder gudgeon & pintle. A shot down the length from bow to stern and stern to bow can help. How about a clean shot of that Hull ID? Most clonefish makers are out of business so don't be surprised.
 
OK... so if the 8KM is indeed an SKM, that would point to a Skimmer... the clone list on yahoo shows the sail logo for a skimmer, which matches my memory of the logo on my sail.... so I guess this is a safe bet... specifically, the yahoo list calls it a "Skimmer A" and the Coast Guard list says the company's been out of business for a while...

Any chance anyone has any links that might help me out with measurement data? LOA, LOW, freeboard, beam, mast height, sail area, displacement, PHRF, Portsmouth, etc?

I've already checked the current and inactive handicap lists to no avail...

The good news is that the race chairman at my club has temporarily approved sailing this boat in our Sunfish class, under the assumption that at my body weight, if I can be competitive in anything that even smells like a Sunfish, more power to me...

Thanks to all who've helped so far... especially with the links to the Coast Guard and clone list
 
You’ll have to ask the members at Sunfish Sailors about those pictures. As far as I know that {A} could stand for just about anything from Algae to Aardvark. Look to see if there’s a photo credit and post a question to the member that sent it in? Measurements for actual Sunfish is in the racing rules ( http://www.sunfishclass.org/ISCA_CLASS_RULES_10052006.pdf ) and at the LaserPerformance web page ( http://www.laserperformance.com/main/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4&Itemid=91 ). Not many of the clones appear to have ever been raced enough to make the Portsmouth list. You may have to just race in your club events sufficiently to develop a handicap for your boat whatever it turns out to be.
 

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