From the pictures, it looks like a sunfish (I will not confirm that without more pictures though). Defiantly not the original rudder hardware. Looks like it would be a project, but one that can be completed. Expect to spend some money on parts. http://www.apsltd.com/ is a pretty user friendly website to look at prices. You can also search the forums here for used parts. As the boat sits right now, it does not have much monetary value.
From the pictures, it looks like a sunfish (I will not confirm that without more pictures though). Defiantly not the original rudder hardware. Looks like it would be a project, but one that can be completed. Expect to spend some money on parts. http://www.apsltd.com/ is a pretty user friendly website to look at prices. You can also search the forums here for used parts. As the boat sits right now, it does not have much monetary value.
Dktag - I will reinforce what previous replies have said. Do not restore that boat. Unless there is some sentimental value like it once belonged to your favorite uncle and he would stow you in the cockpit as a toddler and use it to deep sea fish for grouper it is not worth it. You will spend hundreds upon hundreds of dollars and hours and will then have a very old boat. Parts will break or fly off only when the wind is really blowing good and you are hanging over the edge of the boat several miles from shore.Hi all -
I'm new here to the group. I've got what I THINK, is an older Sunfish. (metal bailer, no storage trunk in hull/cockpit, and no ID plate any where so I can't identify it's age, or even the fact its a Sunfish) It's in rough shape - has been patched poorly in several places. No sail, missing daggerboard & rudder, and alot of hardware is missing. I got it for free from a neighbor who was going to trash it, but thought I might be able restore it. I'm pretty handy with tools, and think maybe it's something I could handle - IF its worth it. Thnks for input and advice. I've already read some on the site here - looks like a great resource !
1) Can anybody tell from the pics what model it is ? Sunfish ? or something else ?
2) Is it worth restoring ?
You could also go the route I went.
I also had a slightly bent mast and spars from a 1960's / 1970's wooden Sunfish I had as a boy along with the original Ratsey & Lapthorn sail.
- Purchase hull (no fittings, splash guard or rub rail) $50 (Craigslist)
- Find a hull in really poor shape but with rub rail, splash guard, bow handle etc... free (Craigslist)
- Used rudder / tiller assembly (Ebay) $130
- Bailer assembly $29
- Used rudder bracket $20
- Used daggerboard $40
- Bullseye fairlead $5 (West Marine)
- Cheap lines (Lowes) $10
All told I spent about $285 but I was able to spread out the cashflow over a few months so my wife wouldn't notice.
ok now you;ve got me thinking maybe again, on this one......... mhirte makes a good point, but i'm not so anxious to get on the water, that i need to have one in great shape without any repairs needed.
I’d ask myself two questions:
1. As it is now, does the hull leak?
2. How heavy is it? Is it, say, too heavy for you and a buddy comfortable lift onto some car roof racks?
If the answer to both is ‘no’ then you have the possibility of having yourself a ‘beater’ Sunfish – one you can mess around with (or lend out to kids and the folks you wouldn’t want using better equipment) and also perhaps even be able leave down at the local beach or sailing club without much fear of theft. I wouldn’t put major money or effort into ‘restoration’ in the usual sense, as you probably won’t get a positive financial return (if that matters) but having a spare beater for beginner or unorthodox sailing activities never hurts.
At our local sailing club we have a number of Sunfish hulls like that – where the owners have moved away or something and just left marginal boats behind. These have one of two outcomes:
a. If the hulls are easily repaired to the level where they are dry, and they can lifted without killing anyone, they become one of our ‘club boats’ – beaters that kids use for lessons and non-sailing newcomers or visitors can mess around with.
b. If the abandoned hulls are too far gone, they go in a salvage area where they are usually raided for parts before hitting the dumpster.
I’d check the leakage situation and weight. If it passes, or still looks reasonable, I’d start with a couple of holes for ports, a properly installed bracket rudder and some work on the transom, and work my way forward. Even if you give up – or eventually come across a better hull – you can still use or re-use whatever blades, hardware, and sail you come up with. Then maybe you'll have two boats. As long as it's more or less seaworthy, it's better to have an ugly Sunfish than no boat at all.