SunfishSailor

Re: Letting mine go this summer

lewis.kent@... (Signal Charlie) — Wed, 17 Jan 2024 02:32:32 -0800

We remember Mark's boat, but not her name. Standing by...

Re: Letting mine go this summer

mark.suszko@... (Mark Suszko) — Tue, 16 Jan 2024 21:23:42 -0800

Before-and-after pictures of Project Lazarus: 1974 AMF. White deck and hull, dark red coaming, matching red footwell and original diagonal racing stripe on the deck. Original gelcoat deck has moderate wear. Red trim on the original white racing sail with window. Sail has a faint stain I'm not sure how to treat yet. I repainted the half-painted coaming, replaced the internal wood backer blocks for the bridle and front grab handle, added a new bridle, rebuilt the bow from the inside-out with glass and epoxy inside, and oh so much sanding and fairing, after previous owner's muddled mess... polyester-glassed, faired, sanded (oh so much sanding you don't even wanna know) and painted over the dock rash on the hull sides, repainted the entire bottom. Refinished the daggerboard and repaired and refinished the rudder blade and tiller. Newer, pintle-styled rudder attachment. New bailer. I can't remember but I think I put a new tiller extension on it. Here's some pics before and after, you can see her original sail class registration number. I have to re-attach the metal trim around the aft port side this spring but she's been test sailed without it, with no leaks. For a hull that was about to become a tiki bar top or a flower planter, I think I did pretty well. This boat was an occupational therapy project for me for stress reduction, but I also learned a lot about how to do repairs right on it. I've had her in the water a couple of times now and frankly she's a little fast for my taste, compared to my Butterfly scow. I also have gotten old and fat with back and knee problems so it's best for Lazarus if someone younger continues the mission with it and brings sailing to the next generation. I'm looking to make back what I put into the boat but like I said, if the right parent/child customer comes along, I might make a better deal. Boats this age are generally worth more parted-out, but I couldn't bear to do that, seeing as I put so much work and love into it. It's meant to be sailed. Has an Illinois title. No trailer included. Goes on sail this spring, probably April.

On Tuesday, January 16, 2024 at 08:09:34 PM CST, MamaChicago <hollyosburn1@...> wrote:

What color is she please?

Re: Admin? Activity?

lewis.kent@... (Signal Charlie) — Tue, 16 Jan 2024 20:04:05 -0800

Sometimes the State Wildlife resources folks have $$ grants for educational programs that get people, especially students, outside fishing, hunting, boating, etc...There is a lot of tie in with STEM and Leadership development. And DEI initiatives come into play. Here in VIrginia we have such programs, monies used to purchase kayaks and canoes. If UNH is a State UNI then it might be even easier, as the boats become State Property.

Re: Admin? Activity?

dianaw46@... (DIANA WEIDENBACKER) — Tue, 16 Jan 2024 19:47:38 -0800

Thanks Kent. Although I love the Dynamic Dollie’s they are too rich for my blood. I found a much cheaper one on Amazon and although not perfect and a bit heavier than the Dynamic it’s stellar.

Unfortunately, there is no budget nor pool of money. I wrangle spare parts from any boat I can to cobble stuff together and throw in a few coins when I need to.

I’ll keep the Dynamic suggestion in mind however. Thanks again.

Oh I also fly spinnakers (my junior sailors that is) from the fish on occasion for fun.

Diana

Diana Weidenbacker

Head Sailing Coach

University of New Hampshire

M.S.S.T.

Director UNH Community Sailing Centre

C 207.752.1462

em dianaw46@...

Website: unhsailing.org

Twitter: @unhsailing

Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/people/unhsailing/

'It's about honour'

"All kids on the Seacoast should know how to sail."

Re: Admin? Activity?

lewis.kent@... (Signal Charlie) — Tue, 16 Jan 2024 19:19:34 -0800

Diana, fantastic.

We've restored about 70 boats, with 1/3 of them being Fish. Folks like to donate to those doing good for the boats. We got our 1953 wooden Sunfish that way and just received a gift of an Abaco dinghy. As for women, I'd say just about every boat we sold had a woman as the driving force behind the purchase, or was the buyer. My favorite was when Grandma sent Grandpa over to look at a boat for the grandkid. He pulled out a wad of 100 dollar bills and sheepishly offered $100 below the asking price. Audrey said "I'll take the other $100 in the other pocket too." We laughed and he drove off with the boat.

You have the group here for support. We also have a blog and youtube channel, where you can search for tips on tools, materials and tactics to get boat back to their natural habitat.

https://smallboatrestoration.blogspot.com/

https://www.youtube.com/user/kentblairl

And on Amazon, The Sunfish Owners Manual, a-Z what folks need to find their boat and take care of it:

https://www.amazon.com/Sunfish-Owners-Manual-Maintain-Repair/dp/1484987217

Of course all questions can be answered here.

A few more things.

We can get Dynamic Dollies with free shipping to anyone who wants one, it's a must for us to have one. For big programs wanting 10 or more dollies we can get deeper discounts.

And we have an Ambassador code with TotalBoat for their products, all of which we use, for 5% off. Anyone is welcome to use it: totalboat.com/smallboats

Re: Admin? Activity?

lewis.kent@... (Signal Charlie) — Tue, 16 Jan 2024 18:54:47 -0800

Hola Amigo,

Where are your stomping grounds? And what makes you think I'm the hoarder, Skipper plays no role in this? :)

What parts are you looking for?

We need to do an Alcort Regatta!

Plus pics or it didn't happen.
--
Cheers
Clark and Skipper
Our blog Small Boat Restoration
Our book The Sunfish Owners Manual

Re: Admin? Activity?

suleboatworks@... (suleboats) — Tue, 16 Jan 2024 18:51:16 -0800

I’ll add to the chorus with post #11.

Hey folks, DC/MD area Sunfish sailor here. Kent was my inspiration for wooden Alcorts - we have a ��65 Sunfish and a ~��58 Sailfish, plus a couple of 60s glass Sailfish. Love these boats; they’re the highlight of every beach we take them to along Chesapeake Bay. I do need a newer Sunfish to keep the old boats in decent shape, since we sail a few times a week. If you have old parts or a woody in the area, let me know since you can never have too much Alcort stuff. I’m keeping Kent from hoarding all the old goodies - he’s so neat and organized and adding junk would be a shame.

The forums have been a tremendous resource for me. Thanks everybody.

Emil

Re: Letting mine go this summer

lewis.kent@... (Signal Charlie) — Tue, 16 Jan 2024 18:48:08 -0800

I'm sure you'll find her a fine steward.

Re: Letting mine go this summer

hollyosburn1@... (MamaChicago) — Tue, 16 Jan 2024 18:09:29 -0800

What color is she please?

Re: Letting mine go this summer

mark.suszko@... (Mark Suszko) — Tue, 16 Jan 2024 17:28:56 -0800

I have three boats now, the wife says that's one too many, and need to let my '74 Sunfish go to a good home in Central Illinois this spring. The boat was around our lake for the Sunfish World Championships back in the 70's but fell into neglect and just barely escaped the burn pile when I found it at Habitat for Humanity and took it on as a therapy project. I did some intensive restoration to the hull, replaced missing parts, and I think she looks pretty keen with red interior and deck stripe. The restoration is all done but for re-attaching one metal rub strip around the portside-aft, which I'll get to when the weather warms up again. I don't want her parted out; I had a transformative experience sharing and sailing this boat with my adolescent son, I'm looking for a parent and child who want to use this boat to get closer while sharing the fun of learning to sail, so for a buyer like that, the price will be lowered. I'll re-post with pictures and price later as we get closer to springtime. Springfield area in central Illinois.

Re: Admin? Activity?

dianaw46@... (DIANA WEIDENBACKER) — Tue, 16 Jan 2024 17:12:11 -0800

Thanks for the support. I actually started out just looking for no longer loved Fish in hopes to rehab them - those that I could at least given limited resources, etc. All of a sudden, there were wonderful donations; many were beyond what we could do (no garage, no electricity, etc. However, we now have 10 that are almost all ready to go. They will augment the UNH Community Sailing Centre program and then be used for the Women's Fish group - The Salty Sirens.

As I was soliciting donations, women saw my posts, emails, etc. and the next thing I knew, 45 were interested. The core group is closer to 15, but that, too, is awesome. We plan on a winter mtg just toorganize a Fish Adventure Day on our small lake, some on the water Fish Mini Golf, some lessons, some racing, some boat work and more I hope.

One woman became so enamoured she bought a used Fish for herself.

Diana Weidenbacker
Head Coach
University of New Hampshire Sailing Team
M.S.S.T.
Director UNH Community Sailing Centre
C 207.752.1462
W http://unhsailing.org
Twitter @unhsailing
Flickr https://www.flickr.com/people/unhsailing/
Facebook UNH Community Sailing Centre

"It's about honour"
"All kids on the Seacoast should know how to sail"

Re: Admin? Activity?

lewis.kent@... (Signal Charlie) — Tue, 16 Jan 2024 16:34:16 -0800

Welcome Diana and thanks for what you are doing. There's a good group here to offer advice, find parts, etc...

And 10 posts this month?! Y'all calm down out there!
--
Cheers
Clark and Skipper
Our blog Small Boat Restoration
Our book The Sunfish Owners Manual

Re: Admin? Activity?

dianaw46@... (DIANA WEIDENBACKER) — Tue, 16 Jan 2024 16:29:33 -0800

Beautiful shots, newletter worthy. Last summer I began developing a Women's Sunfish program and accumulated over 40 names on the 'I'm interested' list. We had a few lessons for those developing beginner and intermediate skills and then hosted the first of what I hope will be several summer reagttas up here.

Diana

Re: Admin? Activity?

pennburke@... (Captain Penn Burke) — Tue, 16 Jan 2024 07:12:01 -0800

Kent,

We spend a couple of days in Richmond but most of our time is spent on the Rappahannock River at Naylor's Beach. Time spent on or near the water is always the best.

Stay Safe and Stay Healthy

Captain Penn Burke
(See you on the Water)

"If we couldn't laugh, we would all go insane" J. Buffett

Re: Admin? Activity?

lewis.kent@... (Signal Charlie) — Mon, 15 Jan 2024 17:24:29 -0800

You're welcome!

Re: Admin? Activity?

scottminer@... (SunfishScott) — Mon, 15 Jan 2024 17:06:53 -0800

Hello Kent and Audrey,

Thanks for maintaining this great resource for the larger Sunfish community!

Happy sailing from the West Coast!

Scott M

Pleasanton, California

Sent from someplace on Earth

Re: Admin? Activity?

lewis.kent@... (Signal Charlie) — Mon, 15 Jan 2024 09:07:36 -0800

Ahoy Capn Penn,

Where are you located? We are in Smithfield, VA, just got here in 2021 and are still trying to understand what "Seasons" are. Retirement from air line flying comes from me in 2025. Then Skipper will have to find something for me to do, if I follow her around too much she'll kill me...after she tortures me a bit, the little pirate.

And 3 posts today on SunfishSailor? Let's get the band back together :)

Cheers,

"Clark" Kent and "Skipper" Audrey

Re: Admin? Activity?

pennburke@... (Captain Penn Burke) — Mon, 15 Jan 2024 09:01:16 -0800

The sailingforum.com is a great resource and yes Facebook has good groups for Sunfish and Hobie Cats. I use them all. I have completed 346 projects since retiring in 2008. Mostly Sunfish and clones but quite a few Hobie Cats as well. I go by swhobie or Captain Penn on sites.

Stay Safe and Stay Healthy

Captain Penn Burke
(See you on the Water)

"If we couldn't laugh, we would all go insane" J. Buffett

Re: Admin? Activity?

lewis.kent@... (Signal Charlie) — Mon, 15 Jan 2024 04:23:40 -0800

Hi Gail,

Kent and Audrey here. We became Owner/Admin over a decade ago when Keith turned the yahoo Group over to us. He had been maintaining it since Wayne crossed the bar.

A few years back when yahoo shut down we paid to have everything transferred over to groups.io. It costs about $200 a year to keep it open, that's where some of the proceeds go from sales of The Sunfish Owners Manual. We'll happily keep paying for it as long as we groups.io exists.

Most folks seem to like the interface on The Sunfish Forum and nowadays facebook. But as I have found, nothing is permanent. We downloaded all of the photos from the files, but it would be a task to archive all of the messages. The Sunfish Forum and Bradley have ported over some of the more referenced files. If you have ideas on how to preserve this digital resource, we're all ears.

And Gail, thank you for all of the work you do to share info about the World's greatest sailboat!!!!!!!! Huzzah!

Cheers,
Kent and Audrey Lewis
Smithfield, VA
(850) 449-4841
lewis.kent@...

--
Cheers
Clark and Skipper
Our blog Small Boat Restoration
Our book The Sunfish Owners Manual

Re: Admin? Activity?

hollyosburn1@... (MamaChicago) — Mon, 15 Jan 2024 04:12:09 -0800

The group continues here: https://sailingforums.com/sunfish/