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On Friday, April 12, 2019, 5:27 PM, Thomas Payne thomas3452@... [sunfish_sailor] wrote:
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Air-Pressure Leak Test: Block-off the vent hole at the very top of the front of the Cockpit Tub. (Look under the Mainsheet Hook and you'll find it.)? Make sure that any Inspection Ports are tightly-closed.? Remove the Drain Plug and then use and air compressor or even a good Bicycle Tire Pump to "blow-up" the hull. Don't overdo it if you are using a compressor! Go around the boat and brush on soapy-water in the Mast-Step, Centerboard Trunk, Bailer, Rudder Bracket, Bow Handle and every other place where there is a hole in the Hull or Deck. Any air that is escaping will cause soap bubbles at the leak.? Be sure to check any cracks in the Cockpit Tub. Check out the black crack on the righthand side of this photo: I just did a friend's boat yesterday and found that this crack was letting in a LOT of water. ANY water is too much.?
On Friday, April 12, 2019, 3:55:04 PM EDT, Charles Butchart chollymon2002@... [sunfish_sailor] wrote:
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How can I find all the leaks in an old Sunfish?
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AIr leak test.
That is our youtube page, use the search icon magnifying glass and search for "air leak"
Common spots for leaks are the daggerboard trunk, bailer seam and chine. Topside you might have water getting in through mast step, your can pour a cup of water in there and see if it disappears. Another common leak area is the seam on the older Sunfish with the metal trim.
Use low volume, low pressure air. Too much pressure can pop the seam or balloon the hull and detach the blocks. Soapy water in a spray bottle.
There are 33 plus designed holes in the Sunfish, plus the seam. Good luck!!
Kent and Audrey
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On Friday, April 12, 2019 05:27:16 PM Thomas Payne thomas3452@... [sunfish_sailor] wrote: Air-Pressure Leak Test:Block-off the vent hole at the very top of the
front of the Cockpit Tub. (Look under the Mainsheet Hook and you'll find
it.) Make sure that any Inspection Ports are tightly-closed. Remove the
Drain Plug and then use and air compressor or even a good Bicycle Tire
Pump to "blow-up" the hull. Be very careful with an air compressor -- iirc, I've read on this list that much over 2 psi can cause problems. Don't overdo it if you are using a
compressor!Go around the boat and brush on soapy-water in the Mast-Step,
Centerboard Trunk, Bailer, Rudder Bracket, Bow Handle and every other
place where there is a hole in the Hull or Deck. Any air that is escaping
will cause soap bubbles at the leak. Be sure to check any cracks in the
Cockpit Tub. Check out the black crack on the righthand side of this
photo: I just did a friend's boat yesterday and found that this crack was
letting in a LOT of water. ANY water is too much.
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Air-Pressure Leak Test: Block-off the vent hole at the very top of the front of the Cockpit Tub. (Look under the Mainsheet Hook and you'll find it.)? Make sure that any Inspection Ports are tightly-closed.? Remove the Drain Plug and then use and air compressor or even a good Bicycle Tire Pump to "blow-up" the hull. Don't overdo it if you are using a compressor! Go around the boat and brush on soapy-water in the Mast-Step, Centerboard Trunk, Bailer, Rudder Bracket, Bow Handle and every other place where there is a hole in the Hull or Deck. Any air that is escaping will cause soap bubbles at the leak.? Be sure to check any cracks in the Cockpit Tub. Check out the black crack on the righthand side of this photo: I just did a friend's boat yesterday and found that this crack was letting in a LOT of water. ANY water is too much.?
On Friday, April 12, 2019, 3:55:04 PM EDT, Charles Butchart chollymon2002@... [sunfish_sailor] wrote:
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How can I find all the leaks in an old Sunfish?
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How can I find all the leaks in an old Sunfish?
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Can you email me more info about the Minifish sails? color/price/shipping ? Is there a website?
Thanks, Rolan
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Re: cleaning up a minifish that has been in storage
Price is $150. I have the following colors:
Dragon
Sunrise
Mackinaw
Shipping probably around $15
Craig
On Wednesday, April 10, 2019, 5:37:14 AM EDT, Gerry Lempicki ka1stz@... [sunfish_sailor] wrote:
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Hi Craig, ?Can you tell me more about the Minifish sails as far as color and pricing? Thanks!?? -Gerry
On Tuesday, April 9, 2019, 10:56:17 AM EDT, Craig cjo1023@... [sunfish_sailor] <sunfish_sailor@...> wrote:
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If you need a new sail to go with your nice Minifish I have 12 new Minifish sails in three color choices.
Craig
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Re: cleaning up a minifish that has been in storage
Hi Craig, ?Can you tell me more about the Minifish sails as far as color and pricing? Thanks!?? -Gerry
On Tuesday, April 9, 2019, 10:56:17 AM EDT, Craig cjo1023@... [sunfish_sailor] wrote:
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If you need a new sail to go with your nice Minifish I have 12 new Minifish sails in three color choices.
Craig
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Re: cleaning up a minifish that has been in storage
Can you send me more info about the Minifish sails?
~Rolan
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Re: cleaning up a minifish that has been in storage
If you need a new sail to go with your nice Minifish I have 12 new Minifish sails in three color choices.
Craig
On Tuesday, April 9, 2019, 10:16:58 AM EDT, rolanyang@... [sunfish_sailor] wrote:
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Last year I acquired a Minifish that had been sitting in a farmer's barn for 30 years completely encrusted in dust, moss, and lichen.? I removed most of the heavy crud off with a spray bottle of Fantastik and Scotch-Brite nonabrasive scour pads. Do circular motions with very light pressure. When that was done, I followed up by polishing it off with microfiber towels.? ?
After few hours of cleaning it looked like this:
? I should have taken before photos to compare.?
As for the two holes in the deck, my Minifish has the same. I put a piece of transparent vinyl inflatable tube repair tape over them.?
It's starting to warm up around here. Can't wait get back out on the water!
~Rolan ---In sunfish_sailor@..., wrote : thanks for all your info and suggestions. had her out on sunday and she floats and sails ok considering the wind conditions (dismal). including a pic on the water ... just enough wind to get enough speed to make it through the "no wind" zone (sorry but my technical terms are lacking) and make it to shore. the other pic is a close-up of the deck before i washed it with mild detergent and water. it looks better but i wouldn't mind shining it up a bit and of course protecting the surface. also it has very fine cracks that are visible when you look closely. it is outside now but i will be making room in the garage to keep her under cover. heading out of town now but will post more pics upon my return.
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Re: cleaning up a minifish that has been in storage
The little holes must have been for a cleat or perhaps the base of a mainsheet block. A compass could also go there. Holes might be too high up to be from a mount for a hiking strap, but look at the back end of the footwell to see if there were matching holes there. Could maybe re-use the holes to mount a waterproof otter box for an MP3 player or radio, etc. if you like tunes to sail to... or a bottle holder?
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Re: cleaning up a minifish that has been in storage
She looks great. The one hole on the coaming I don't know about, I'd seal it up with a dab of Gorilla glue ot thickened marine epoxy or MarineTex epoxy putty. The hole on the deck might be a vent hole for the hull, some Minifish had those under silver serial number stickers to allow hull pressure to equalize. ANother spot for those vent holes is on the forward wall of the cockpit.
Don't worry about the fine cracks, that is gelcoat crazing, normal for a 40+ year old boat. The gelcoat is there to be pretty and protect the fiberglass underneath from UV. As long as there is not large areas of gelcoat chipped away or crushed fiberglass underneath from an impact, she is good to sail.
No wind areas? "Horse Latitudes" "Doldrums" :)
Cheers! Kent and Skipper
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Re: cleaning up a minifish that has been in storage
Last year I acquired a Minifish that had been sitting in a farmer's barn for 30 years completely encrusted in dust, moss, and lichen.? I removed most of the heavy crud off with a spray bottle of Fantastik and Scotch-Brite nonabrasive scour pads. Do circular motions with very light pressure. When that was done, I followed up by polishing it off with microfiber towels.? ?
After few hours of cleaning it looked like this:
? I should have taken before photos to compare.?
As for the two holes in the deck, my Minifish has the same. I put a piece of transparent vinyl inflatable tube repair tape over them.?
It's starting to warm up around here. Can't wait get back out on the water!
~Rolan ---In sunfish_sailor@..., <cjoannes@...> wrote : thanks for all your info and suggestions. had her out on sunday and she floats and sails ok considering the wind conditions (dismal). including a pic on the water ... just enough wind to get enough speed to make it through the "no wind" zone (sorry but my technical terms are lacking) and make it to shore. the other pic is a close-up of the deck before i washed it with mild detergent and water. it looks better but i wouldn't mind shining it up a bit and of course protecting the surface. also it has very fine cracks that are visible when you look closely. it is outside now but i will be making room in the garage to keep her under cover. heading out of town now but will post more pics upon my return.
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Re: cleaning up a minifish that has been in storage
What Gail said.?
Our good friends at Jamestown Distributors sell it and ship fast if you can't find it elsewhere.
Cheers Kent and Skipper
PS Where is your Minifish and what is her color scheme?
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Re: cleaning up a minifish that has been in storage
thanks for all your info and suggestions. had her out on sunday and she floats and sails ok considering the wind conditions (dismal). including a pic on the water ... just enough wind to get enough speed to make it through the "no wind" zone (sorry but my technical terms are lacking) and make it to shore. the other pic is a close-up of the deck before i washed it with mild detergent and water. it looks better but i wouldn't mind shining it up a bit and of course protecting the surface. also it has very fine cracks that are visible when you look closely. it is outside now but i will be making room in the garage to keep her under cover. heading out of town now but will post more pics upon my return.
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Re: cleaning up a minifish that has been in storage
3M Marine Restorer and Wax.? With a buffing wheel.? Take your time.?
The only way to combat Florida sun is with a hull cover.?
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Re: cleaning up a minifish that has been in storage
Hi Mark, ? I'm glad you suggest taking precautions using acetone but there also might be less toxic alternatives (CarboClore?). You mentioned flammability but I wanted everybody to understand its toxicity as well. ? I understand acetone is a potent liver toxin and carcinogen. It absorbs through skin and through the lungs. ? The sad part is it functions excellently for many applications in working on fiberglass boats. Input about alternatives, from our experts, would be appreciated. ? Best regards, ? Mark ? ?
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From: sunfish_sailor@... [mailto:sunfish_sailor@...]
Sent: Monday, April 8, 2019 9:38 AM
To: sunfish_sailor@...
Subject: [sunfish_sailor] Re: cleaning up a minifish that has been in storage? ? I had good luck on mine using Bartender's Friend and damp towels, then acetone, prior to prime and paint or waxing. Be careful with acetone: wear gloves and a mask and do it outdoors, away from ignition sources.
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Re: cleaning up a minifish that has been in storage
I had good luck on mine using Bartender's Friend and damp towels, then acetone, prior to prime and paint or waxing. Be careful with acetone: wear gloves and a mask and do it outdoors, away from ignition sources.
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Re: cleaning up a minifish that has been in storage
Sail it first and see if the discoloration affects sailing :)
But if you're bored ashore, go least intrusive first.? 1) Dawn dishwashing liquid soapy water and let the sun bleach it a bit.? 2) TILEX but do not let it sit too long or dry. 3) 3M Fiberglass Restorer and Wax 4) Wet sand with 1200 then 2000 grit followed by a good past wax like Meguiars *) Iron Out Rust Stain Remover gets rid of mineral stains. READ THE PRECAUTIONS and wer Personal Protective Equipment
Of course we need photos!
Cheers Kent and Skipper
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cleaning up a minifish that has been in storage
what is the best way to clean up a minifish ... discolorations on white decking mostly. and is there some kind of overall treatment to apply to help keep the surface protected from FL sun? any advice appreciated. thanks!
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Signal Charlie
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