year of Sunfish

ricklongnj

New Member
Luckey me......I have my choice of owning a 1981 Alcort Sunfish or a 2002 Racing Sunfish. Some people have told me that the older(Alcort) Sunfish sailboats are better. Can anyone help me with this deciscision....?


Thank you in advance.

Rick
 
Some people have told me that the older(Alcort) Sunfish sailboats are better
How do some people define "better"?

In 1981 the Sunfish was being built by AMF, in 2002 the builder was Vanguard.

There were some significant changes in the 21 years separating the two builders. Both boats set up easily and sail about the same. The 2002 will have more potential for a little higher performance with its composite daggerboard and, I assume, racing sail. (needs to say racing on the label).

What is your sailing style and your ambitions for future sailing with the Sunfish?

Look through this file and you can get an idea of the changes:
http://kb.sunfishforum.com/images/history/timeline.pdf
 
Unless the newer one has a serious defect, like it has been run over by a truck, the choice is easy. Take the new one. BB
 
Luckey me......I have my choice of owning a 1981 Alcort Sunfish or a 2002 Racing Sunfish. Some people have told me that the older(Alcort) Sunfish sailboats are better. Can anyone help me with this deciscision....?

Rick

It's time for some homework:
  • Weigh the hulls

  • Do a leak test (soapy water)

  • Does the mast step leak (fill with water)

  • Carefully inspect the hulls (turn the boats over) and all the fittings

  • Carefully compare the rigs and the sails

There is more, I am sure, but this list is a beginning.

Ask a knownledgeable person to help you in the evaluation

Listen to Beldar Boathead :)


 
How do some people define "better"?

In 1981 the Sunfish was being built by AMF, in 2002 the builder was Vanguard.

There were some significant changes in the 21 years separating the two builders. Both boats set up easily and sail about the same. The 2002 will have more potential for a little higher performance with its composite daggerboard and, I assume, racing sail. (needs to say racing on the label).

What is your sailing style and your ambitions for future sailing with the Sunfish?

Look through this file and you can get an idea of the changes:
http://kb.sunfishforum.com/images/history/timeline.pdf

Thank you very much for your help.
 
If hull A weighs 170 lbs and hull B 140 lbs, you will know that A has picked up water somewhere and that you
  1. Need to find out if there is a leak, locate it, and fix it (assuming there is a compelling reason to buy this boat)
  2. Dry the hull
Racers want a dry, stiff hull somewhere in the 125-140 lbs range.

Here is a current thread on the weight issue:
http://www.sunfishforum.com/showthread.php?t=29188
 

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