Hey George, I am about 5'11, 220lbs and have just started racing my Sunfish. Do you have any tips for someone in the 200lbs+ category. I am particularly curious about seating position, halyard position, and any other rigging ideas. Thanks.The Sunfish is fairly forgiving for skipper weight. For racing, the optimum is about 5'11" at 170 lbs. I am 5' 9" at 200 lbs and do just fine for a 75 year old racer.
Alan Glos
Cazenovia, NY
Sorry, I was supposed to address this to @Alan S. Glos.Hey George, I am about 5'11, 220lbs and have just started racing my Sunfish. Do you have any tips for someone in the 200lbs+ category. I am particularly curious about seating position, halyard position, and any other rigging ideas. Thanks.
Seating position: up front; you won't need to hike much to keep the boat flatHey George, I am about 5'11, 220lbs and have just started racing my Sunfish. Do you have any tips for someone in the 200lbs+ category. I am particularly curious about seating position, halyard position, and any other rigging ideas. Thanks.
I'm thinking a "swim ladder" off the transom would be ideal. I'd prefer it to disappear when I don't need it, and for it to be there when I do. I guess I'm looking for a bit of magic.
I have never been able to choose which side of the boat to exit from, my main concern is getting back on board.
Honestly this seems dangerous. If your foot slides thru the loop and up your leg and you can’t free it you could get dragged, the boat could flip again and now you are tied to it, etc.If you need a swim ladder, just having some line in the cockpit tied to the hiking strap tie downs with a bowline at the end might be enough. When you get into the water just grab the line and but your foot through the loop to help get you up. I wouldn't put all your weight on it but in conjunction with your upper body it would probable be just enough to get your torso in.
Some of the amazing, yet extremely lightweight, mature lady sailors at my club rig up something they call a "granny line" (they are all grannies). It's a little trial and error to find the right length, but they tie a small loop that is just big enough for a foot to fit into for a step, and tie the other end to the hole in the dagger board. It's worked pretty well to help my gut get back in mine, too.
I may try this method. I can't get back into my Sunfish at all. A good deal of time just taking the boat out with no sails, tied to a swim dock, and trying to get in. I gave it 3 shots and was exhausted only accomplishing 1 leg on the deck of the boat. I'm working to increase my leg, arm and core strength but that won't be a quick fix. I'm new to sailing a sunfish so until I get more skill, I'm going to be tipping over a lotIf you need a swim ladder, just having some line in the cockpit tied to the hiking strap tie downs with a bowline at the end might be enough. When you get into the water just grab the line and but your foot through the loop to help get you up. I wouldn't put all your weight on it but in conjunction with your upper body it would probable be just enough to get your torso in.
My sailing venue has become crowded with speedy and oversized powerboats, so I'd velcroed a spare PFD to the forward cleat. The PFD reduced the amount of water coming over the splashguard.I would make sure I have a good PFD. Make sure your centerboard has a retraining strap so it doesn't slide out when you capsize. I would then practice righting the boat close to shore before going out. Several members on the board comment that once righted come up from the stern and it will sit lower. A hiking strap also makes it easer and shortens the distance you need to reach from the side. Falling off the boat on the windward side helps.
I tried using a loop to support myself today. With 26 bones, 30 ligaments, and a hundred muscles, the loop tried to strangle them all into one tight, painful, space!If you need a swim ladder, just having some line in the cockpit tied to the hiking strap tie downs with a bowline at the end might be enough. When you get into the water just grab the line and but your foot through the loop to help get you up. I wouldn't put all your weight on it but in conjunction with your upper body it would probable be just enough to get your torso in.
A good start for a hiking strap would be to install a single eyestrap ($2.00) on the forward bulkhead. A small snap on the "Grannie Strap" would assist one's quickly getting back aboard.Kim Alix does your boat have a hiking strap in the cockpit?
Yes, I can barely reach it but not get my body in the boat pulling on it. I wondered if I could buy a new hiking strap -- I noticed both ends are sewn together with room enough to run a line through -- and run a line through both of the ends to form a loop and tie one end to the mast or the boat's hiking strap. It would be wider than just using a plain line and maybe wouldn't hurt so much. What do you guys think of that idea?Kim Alix does your boat have a hiking strap in the cockpit?