Keyboard Shortcuts
ctrl + shift + ? :
Show all keyboard shortcuts
ctrl + g :
Navigate to a group
ctrl + shift + f :
Find
ctrl + / :
Quick actions
esc to dismiss
Likes
- SunfishSailor
- Messages
Search
|
New Files Posted
Wayne
To All,
Three new resources have been contributed to the FILES area. First is a Sunfish Manual. This is a 1992 factory setup manual showing the basic rigging of a sunfish. The photos are not such good quality, but the text covers boats from 1972 to the mid-1990's. The second item is a repair guide covering the basics of fiberglass repairs and trim replacement. Last is a guide for retrofitting a new style rudder on a pre-1972 Sunfish. The folders are SUNFISH MANUALS and REPAIR GUIDES. |
|
New poll for sunfish_sailor
Enter your vote today! A new poll has been created for the
sunfish_sailor group: How Did You Learn To Sail? o Self Taught o Read books o Learned from a Family Member or Friend o Learned at Summer Camp o Took a Sailing Class o Crewed on other boats To vote, please visit the following web page: Note: Please do not reply to this message. Poll votes are not collected via email. To vote, you must go to the Yahoo! Groups web site listed above. Thanks! |
|
Re: New to the Group, new to sailing
Wayne Carney
Hi Wes,
How many out there actually took lessons or did you just jump in andThat sounds like a good question for a group poll. Watch for future group announcements. Anyone can learn by jumping in, but the method is probably more discouraging that encouraging. As with most other learned skills, having guidance smoothes the learning curve and gets you to the fun part faster. Wayne -----Original Message----- |
|
Re: New to the Group, new to sailing
In a message dated 6/18/2004 10:47:11 PM Eastern Standard Time,
tulsaculture2004@... writes: How many out there actually took lessons or did you just jump in and Learn by trial and error? I was taught the basics by my father when I was a teen, but learned the most from reading a few "How to Sail" books. Of course, practice, practice, practice. There really is no substitute for tiller time once you know how it's all supposed to work. Take your time and enjoy it! Joe |
|
Re: New to the Group, new to sailing
Gail M. Turluck
Well, if your email address means you're in Tulsa, OK, I suggest you contact
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
the Southwest Regional Representative of the Sunfish Class to get local contact people to help you get started. Go to www.sunfishclass.org and click on "Class Officers." If the boat is truly mint, I suggest you find help so that you don't go through the newbie mistakes that will result in your needing to do repairs and un-minting your boat. Good luck, read up, and have fun! Be sure to wear a life jacket, keep some kind of retainer on the daggerboard so it doesn't get disconnected from the boat WHEN you capsize (and capsize as soon as you can so you learn how to tip the boat back up), and be sure to put a figure-8 knot in the mainsheet so it won't run out of the boom while you sail. Use the features of the Yahoo list web page to read all the back postings in this forum. Also see the Frequently Asked Questions on the Sunfish Class site AND read the Message Board on that site to gain a ton of insight into handling these boats, setting them up, and being prepared. Whether you day sail or decide to race, you are well on your way to having fun! Sincerely, Gail ~~~/)~~~~/)~~~/)~~~~~/)~~~~~~/)~~ Gail M. Turluck Sunfish 24186 ISCA Masters Coordinator USSCA Secretary USSCA Masters Coordinator ~~~/)~~~~/)~~~/)~~~~~/)~~~~~~/)~~ "Arts is a bridge to walk across to a new life." "Be prepared to act on your dreams just in case they do come true." William Strickland, President and CEO, Manchester Craftsmen's Guild, Pittsburgh, PA -----Original Message-----
From: Will [mailto:tulsaculture2004@...] Sent: Friday, June 18, 2004 5:13 PM To: sunfish_sailor@... Subject: [sunfish_sailor] New to the Group, new to sailing Hello, I am glad I found this group. I consider myself new to sailing except that I did go out with a friend on his sunfish when I was a youngster. The experience never left me so I decided to get a sailboat for me and my son to goof around with. I didn't realize how hard it would be to find a used Sunfish sailboat in my area but I waited and finally found a 1976 Bicentennial Sunfish with trailer for 700.00. It is in mint condition and ready to go. I am currently looking for a sailing instructor or class to take. I guess this is my next question.... How many out there actually took lessons or did you just jump in and learn by trial and error? I plan on taking lessons but I was curious as to what other people did. Thanks again and look forward to participating in this group. Wes If you do not wish to belong to Sunfish_sailor, you may unsubscribe by sending an email to: sunfish_sailor-unsubscribe@... Please do not send unsubscribe requests directly to the group. USEFUL ADDRESSES Post message: sunfish_sailor@... Subscribe: sunfish_sailor-subscribe@... Unsubscribe: sunfish_sailor-unsubscribe@... URL to egroups page: Yahoo! Groups Sponsor ADVERTISEMENT ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- Yahoo! Groups Links a.. To visit your group on the web, go to: b.. To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: sunfish_sailor-unsubscribe@... c.. Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service. |
|
New to the Group, new to sailing
Will
Hello,
I am glad I found this group. I consider myself new to sailing except that I did go out with a friend on his sunfish when I was a youngster. The experience never left me so I decided to get a sailboat for me and my son to goof around with. I didn't realize how hard it would be to find a used Sunfish sailboat in my area but I waited and finally found a 1976 Bicentennial Sunfish with trailer for 700.00. It is in mint condition and ready to go. I am currently looking for a sailing instructor or class to take. I guess this is my next question.... How many out there actually took lessons or did you just jump in and learn by trial and error? I plan on taking lessons but I was curious as to what other people did. Thanks again and look forward to participating in this group. Wes |
|
Re: Gelcoat repair under the lip....
Wayne Carney
Hi esteroali,
under the lip, where the bottom of the hull (about 1 " wide)I've seen this condition on many boats. Seems the gelcoat is thin in this area and tends to crack easily. In most cases it appears to be just the gelcoat layer unless there's been a heavy impact. So, this is really detail work unless you are repairing a damaged area. To do it right you would drill out the rivets and CAREFULLY remove and store the aluminum edging. Note that the edging rivets only go about half way through the seam flange so don't drill all the way through. Just drilling off the rivet head will do the trick. Pick out the rivet bodies once the edging has been removed. An easy way to repair the "cracks" - since they are usually just cosmetic - is to prep the section by running a scribe point in each crack to open it a little; Sand the area with, say, 300 grit paper; Vacuum off the dust and then wipe the area down with a little Acetone on a rag to clean up after sanding. Using regular gelcoat the color of your hull - as opposed to gelcoat putty - mix up an ounce at a time and paint it on the flange using throw-away brushes. Note that gelcoat takes 24 to 48 hours to properly cure unlike polyester resin which can setup in as little as 20 minutes. Sand the gelcoat to blend with the hull... 300, 400, 600 grit sand papers, then rubbing compound. Reinstall the edging with new pop-rivets. when putting the Aluminum edging back on do youI recommend filling all the rivet holes with either epoxy, polyester resin, or gelcoat. Then re-drill the holes using the edging as a hole guide. This is so the new rivets have something to hold them firmly. Remember to only drill into the flange half way. You'll see what I'm talking about when you remove the old rivet bodies - the holes are sometimes wallowed out and the old rivets were loose. Wayne -----Original Message----- |
|
Rigging the sunfish
Jack Tumbleweed Richardson
This is my first post to this group. Monday I got out my new boat
and started to rig the sails, rudder and center board. It was not the easiest process. The one thing that I need to know is where does the halyard rope pass through on the deck? I got the halyard down to the deck and found two possible places, one near the mast and the other near the edge of the boat. As you can tell I am not a sailor, never sailed before, so I tried to follow the instructions carefully. They were not very helpful. Where does that halyard go???? |
|
FW: Sunfish Summer Sailstice Celebrations
Malcolm Dickinson
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
-----Original Message-----
From: John Arndt [mailto:john@...] Sent: Thursday, June 17, 2004 9:24 AM Subject: Sunfish Summer Sailstice Celebrations Can you help pass the word on the 'coconut telegraph' for the Fourth Annual Summer Sailstice? This weekend June 19th and 20th, Sunfish sailors can join the global sailing celebration held annually on solstice, the longest sailing days of the year. Wherever you sail, join with the worldwide sailing community in celebrating the joys of sailing and the pleasures of long summer nights. It can be a Sunfish publicity tool and a great opportunity to let people know who and where people are sailing Sunfish sailboats - just for the fun of it. Someday we may find out just how many Sunfish are sailing on the solstice! Learn more about this exciting new sailing event at the official Summer Sailstice website: . Sign in with your sailing plans and get a chance to win a one-week BVI charter from The Moorings, ! Other prizes you can win include a Hunter Xcite sailing dinghy, a $500 shopping spree from West Marine, and more than 100 other prizes from your favorite sailing suppliers. In addition, for every sailor who signs up, Seacology, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving island ecosystems, receives a $1.00 donation (www.seacology.com). Here are ten more great reasons to join us on Summer Sailstice: 1. Just by signing up and going sailing on the weekend of June 19/20, you're eligible . . .etc. 2. June 19 and 20 are the longest sailing days of the year. You should be planning to go sailing anyway. 3. Invite your friends and post your sailing plans on the Summer Sailstice website. Let everyone know how, when and where you'll be celebrating the Sailstice and promote global good will. 4. Sunday June 20th is Father's Day. Where else would he rather be on the first day of summer? 5. You don't have to bake a turkey, wrap presents, dress in green, hide eggs, or march in a parade. It's a new holiday--develop your own traditions. 6. Because 20 years from now when all sailors get Summer Sailstice off from work, you'll remember how you helped it all get started. 7. Because everyone needs a deadline. If you don't have your boat ready for summer sailing by the solstice, you've already missed too much of the sailing season. 8. They say "the meek shall inherit the earth, the brave get the oceans." Be brave, sign up and go sailing. 9. Did we mention sailing, friends, parties and prizes? 10. Do you really even need a reason to go sailing on the longest day of the year? Please forward this on to your sailing friends.....and visit to see who's already signed up in your area. Fair Winds, John Arndt -- Summer Sailstice - celebrating sailing on the solstice. Sign on at We're looking forward to sailing and celebrating 'with you' on the weekend June 19/20, 2004! Sail locally, celebrate globally. ~~ _/) ~~~~ _/) ~~~~ _/) ~~~~ _/) ~~ _/) ~~~~ _/) ~~~~ _/) ~~~~ _/) --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (). Version: 6.0.706 / Virus Database: 462 - Release Date: 6/14/2004 --- [This E-mail scanned for viruses by Declude Virus] |
|
Re: Gelcoat repair under the lip....
Dave Jeffries
And that MAY have been an individual reaction.
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
I work with the stuff every now and then with no respirator and no problems....... Dave J sd0044@... ============================================== ----- Original Message -----
From: "Charles Neuman" <charles@...> To: <sunfish_sailor@...> Sent: Thursday, June 17, 2004 09:37 Subject: Re: [sunfish_sailor] Re: Gelcoat repair under the lip.... Try this: resin before. This is polyester. Either polyester resin is more toxic thanepoxy resin, or I just have more of a reaction to it. I used a respiratorwith an organic vapor cartridge, but the few fumes I did inhale caused somefrom being around the fumes. This was outdoors with a breeze.wrote: product?I am repairing my 79 Sunfish. The Gelcoat paste I bought iscolorless/green and thepanit is bright, bright white. is there a recommended tint doAlso, under the lip,where the bottom of the hull (about 1 " wide) flares out into thealuminum edging isall cracked and crazed.Some of it I can sand out and some of it IDremmeled out andplanned to Gelcoat in. Do I have to take off the aluminum edge to sprayedthis? Any hintsas the product type and process of application?Thanks...Damien Pswhen putting theAluminum edging back on do you back fill the bottom piece offiberglass and drill outthe top? I was confused on this... autoor brushed with 'real' gel-coat, you can buy small cans of gel coat that,parts/auto paint store, try to find some touch up pens, failing Sponsor --------------------~-->I have some of my ex wifes nail polish that matches my motorcycle Yahoo! Domains - Claim yours for only $14.70 |
|
Re: Gelcoat repair under the lip....
Try this:
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
It's a gel coat repair kit that includes coloring agents. I used it to repair some chips on my Sunfish. The stuff is incredibly toxic. I think I'd rather have chips in my gel coat than to have to work with that stuff again. I have used epoxy resin before. This is polyester. Either polyester resin is more toxic than epoxy resin, or I just have more of a reaction to it. I used a respirator with an organic vapor cartridge, but the few fumes I did inhale caused some constriction and itchiness in my throat. In addition, my eyes burned from being around the fumes. This was outdoors with a breeze. Charles Neuman On Thu, 17 Jun 2004, kendall wrote:
--- In sunfish_sailor@..., "esteroali" <esteroali@e...> wrote:I am repairing my 79 Sunfish. The Gelcoat paste I bought iscolorless/green and thepanit is bright, bright white. is there a recommended tint product?Also, under the lip,where the bottom of the hull (about 1 " wide) flares out into thealuminum edging isall cracked and crazed.Some of it I can sand out and some of it IDremmeled out andplanned to Gelcoat in. Do I have to take off the aluminum edge to dothis? Any hintsas the product type and process of application?Thanks...Damien Pswhen putting theAluminum edging back on do you back fill the bottom piece offiberglass and drill outthe top? I was confused on this... |
|
Re: Do I need a mast head fly?
I'm no expert, but I learned that local conditions (i.e. right on the
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
water near the shore) sometimes have more effect than the weather conditions that are reported for the nearest town. In the morning, before the land has warmed up, I get a gentle land breeze. It stops at 1 pm, and then a fierce sea breeze starts to come in, and I head for shore! I find that when they report 15 mph winds, that's a bit much for me, especially with a big racing sail. I really wish there was a quick way to reef a Sunfish sail. As for non-quick ways, I have been meaning to try out the Jens rig. That might help spill wind in gusty conditions. I really should also have a recreational sail on an additional set of spars, perhaps even modified to be permanently "reefed". Charles Neuman Great South Bay, Long Island On Wed, 16 Jun 2004 slank23@... wrote:
Alright Wayne and/or Gail or whomever else can help. |
|
Re: Digest Number 173
charles Henry
Slank,
My advise is to look at the trees. If the wind is blowing hard enough to make the branches move, I get interested. If the is sufficient breeze to keep the leaves fluttering and branches slightly bent in one direction, I am out there. If your paying $25 for a device to tell you wind direction and speed your getting hosed. I will sent you a piece of yarn for nothing (plus $10 shipping and handling). Chip sunfish_sailor@... wrote: There is 1 message in this issue. Topics in this digest: 1. Do I need a mast head fly? From: slank23@... ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ Message: 1 Date: Wed, 16 Jun 2004 17:03:20 -0000 From: slank23@... Subject: Do I need a mast head fly? Alright Wayne and/or Gail or whomever else can help. I'm having trouble judging wind direction and speed. My local weather man swore on his mother-in-laws' life that I would have a 10 knot breeze out of the south west Monday morning at 10am. "Woo-Hoo" thought I. I have the day off, I'm goin' sailin'. Not so fast...read on. WELL, St. Peter must be knocking at the old lady's door because come 10 am Monday morning I was tacking my way out of the marina on Rend Lake ( one of southern Illinois' windiest lakes ) only to find that when I finally got out of the breakwater, there was nary a breeze to be found. I would get an occasional puff but it seemed to be coming from random directions. I sculled around for an hour or so and finally headed back to shore. BOOORING!!!! I have a few questions. 1. What would be a minimum, maximum and optimum wind speed forecast that might hint at a good day for sailing. 2. This one is probably silly but I'll ask anyway. Is any one prevailing wind direction better than another? 3.A mast head fly will help me determine wind direction but not speed, right? 4. I have some "tell tales". Will they help me determine wind speed or are they just for sail effeciency? How do I use them? 5. Can anyone recommend a brand or type of mast head fly? or other equipment that will help me? I have seen a few in a local shop for around $25 is that a good price? That should do it for now. Thanks in advance for the assistance. Shawn FYI - I will be crewing (rail meat) on a 30 fotter in the Cock Island Regatta on the Elizabeth River in Portsmouth, VA the weekend of June 26. If any members will be there, send me an email, it would be nice to meet a few of you. Visit www.portsevents.org for more details. ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ If you do not wish to belong to Sunfish_sailor, you may unsubscribe by sending an email to: sunfish_sailor-unsubscribe@... Please do not send unsubscribe requests directly to the group. USEFUL ADDRESSES Post message: sunfish_sailor@... Subscribe: sunfish_sailor-subscribe@... Unsubscribe: sunfish_sailor-unsubscribe@... URL to egroups page: ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Links ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Judge Charles E. Henry18758 Shaw RoadAuburn Township, Ohio 44234(440)834-8228 --------------------------------- Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Mail Address AutoComplete - You start. We finish. |
|
Re: Gelcoat repair under the lip....
kendall
--- In sunfish_sailor@..., "esteroali" <esteroali@e...> wrote:
I am repairing my 79 Sunfish. The Gelcoat paste I bought iscolorless/green and the panit is bright, bright white. is there a recommended tint product?Also, under the lip, where the bottom of the hull (about 1 " wide) flares out into thealuminum edging is all cracked and crazed.Some of it I can sand out and some of it IDremmeled out and planned to Gelcoat in. Do I have to take off the aluminum edge to dothis? Any hints as the product type and process of application?Thanks...Damien Pswhen putting the Aluminum edging back on do you back fill the bottom piece offiberglass and drill out the top? I was confused on this... this looks similar to what you describe, most gel coat repair products are designed to fill up the crack or gouge, then get sprayed or brushed with 'real' gel-coat, you can buy small cans of gel coat that are color matched. if you can't find the right color, try an auto parts/auto paint store, try to find some touch up pens, failing that, I have some of my ex wifes nail polish that matches my motorcycle perfectly. hope it helps. ktb |
|
Re: Do I need a mast head fly?
Wayne Carney
Hi Shawn,
I'm having trouble judging wind direction and speed. My localThis reminds me of an old Ziggy cartoon where Ziggy complains, "Why do they always give the weather report for the airport when I really need one for the bus stop". WELL, St. Peter must be knocking at the old lady's door becauseI have sworn that the wind sometimes only goes up and down. I sculled around for an hour or so and finally headed back to shore.There will be days like this...... Slap on the suntan lotion, plug in the Walkman and kick back. I'm not even going to attempt to explain the weather. No one so far has ever been successful at it. The best way to judge conditions is to stand on the dock and point a wetted finger in the air. But in case you really want a guide, here are a couple: 1. What would be a minimum, maximum and optimum wind speed forecastOh, I'd say 8 to 16 mph. It is always easy to sail when the wind is at an optimum speed. Even if your sail trim isn't the best and you don't sail a steady course you still can go somewhere. Light breezes force you to become a better sailor because boat balance and sail trim make the difference between moving some and not moving at all. 2. This one is probably silly but I'll ask anyway. Is any oneWell, that depends on which way you want to go.... 8^) Leaving a dock or beach straight into the wind has it's challenges as does docking with the wind at your back. Having to tack in a narrow channel sucks, but other than that, once you are out on the main body of water it doesn't really matter. 3.A mast head fly will help me determine wind direction but notRight. With this exception - if you use streamers and are sailing in light air, you can tell when the wind is strong enough to move you by how the streamer is lifted and begins to flutter. There are hand-held wind speed instruments. Radio Shack sells one for around $25 that will go up to, I believe, 15 mph. Davis Instruments has a better one that goes up to gale speeds for around $80. Here's something else to consider..... stand_appwind.html 4. I have some "tell tales". Will they help me determine wind speedHmmmmm...., subject for a whole master's thesis. Here's a start: 5. Can anyone recommend a brand or type of mast head fly? or otherThis one is my favorite: Word of caution.... some people swear by using strips of old cassette tape as wind indicators. They work great - IMHO, too well. Cassette tape will respond to breezes too light to move the boat. That make for a frustrating experience - sitting dead in the water watching your wind indicator ripple in the breeze. Instead, I use synthetic yarn. One 99 cent ball will supply enough material for a lifetime. I separate the strands down to just the right weight so when my indicators lift and move I know the wind is enough to sail in. Wayne |
|
Gelcoat repair under the lip....
esteroali
I am repairing my 79 Sunfish. The Gelcoat paste I bought is colorless/green and the
panit is bright, bright white. is there a recommended tint product? Also, under the lip, where the bottom of the hull (about 1 " wide) flares out into the aluminum edging is all cracked and crazed.Some of it I can sand out and some of it I Dremmeled out and planned to Gelcoat in. Do I have to take off the aluminum edge to do this? Any hints as the product type and process of application?Thanks...Damien Ps when putting the Aluminum edging back on do you back fill the bottom piece of fiberglass and drill out the top? I was confused on this... |
|
Do I need a mast head fly?
Alright Wayne and/or Gail or whomever else can help.
I'm having trouble judging wind direction and speed. My local weather man swore on his mother-in-laws' life that I would have a 10 knot breeze out of the south west Monday morning at 10am. "Woo-Hoo" thought I. I have the day off, I'm goin' sailin'. Not so fast...read on. WELL, St. Peter must be knocking at the old lady's door because come 10 am Monday morning I was tacking my way out of the marina on Rend Lake ( one of southern Illinois' windiest lakes ) only to find that when I finally got out of the breakwater, there was nary a breeze to be found. I would get an occasional puff but it seemed to be coming from random directions. I sculled around for an hour or so and finally headed back to shore. BOOORING!!!! I have a few questions. 1. What would be a minimum, maximum and optimum wind speed forecast that might hint at a good day for sailing. 2. This one is probably silly but I'll ask anyway. Is any one prevailing wind direction better than another? 3.A mast head fly will help me determine wind direction but not speed, right? 4. I have some "tell tales". Will they help me determine wind speed or are they just for sail effeciency? How do I use them? 5. Can anyone recommend a brand or type of mast head fly? or other equipment that will help me? I have seen a few in a local shop for around $25 is that a good price? That should do it for now. Thanks in advance for the assistance. Shawn FYI - I will be crewing (rail meat) on a 30 fotter in the Cock Island Regatta on the Elizabeth River in Portsmouth, VA the weekend of June 26. If any members will be there, send me an email, it would be nice to meet a few of you. Visit www.portsevents.org for more details. |
|
Re: used sunfish experience
Hi Mike:
I'm not really a part of this conversation but noticed that you were in Brewerton. I'm in Baldwinsville. Did you get my post to the group about a AMF Windflight14 for sale in my neighborhood. It look like it is the same hull and rig as a Sunfish. Jim --- pibracing <mcerio02@...> wrote: Hi John, Where in Upstate Ny are you located? I am __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Mail - Helps protect you from nasty viruses. |
|
Re: used sunfish experience
newtosail
The ad for the sunfish that I looked at is no longer in the paper.
If you'd like me to contact them to see if it's still available, E- mail me & I'll let you know. It's approximately an hour and a half drive from your town. I'll keep your info if I come across another that is either out of my price range or needs work. I've been thinking of putting a "wanted" ad in the paper. John --- In sunfish_sailor@..., "pibracing" <mcerio02@t...> wrote: Hi John, Where in Upstate Ny are you located? I am located insummer.If you come accross any that you dont want please let me know.Ilooked at one tonight for 650.00 with the trailer that had to manypatches on the hull for me,I am still looking.I came across a 20 + yearold Lazer but the guy wanted 1200.00 for it,These people are nuts. |
to navigate to use esc to dismiss