How old is my sunfish sailboat

Pearson acquired rights to the Laser separately. In , Pearson filed for bankruptcy protection. SunfishLaser, Inc. It is liked for being forgiving to bad tacks, quicker, with less side slipping, at a cost of the sailor having to work a little harder in a breeze.

This saved racers from constant build up and refinishing of wooden boards to get them up to tolerances. The boat continues to be manufactured by LP to this day. An out-of-the-box Sunfish was sailed at the regatta to the win. The International Class organization continues its development.

Neophytes are sometimes surprised by the boat's buoyancy and stability, given its thin body profile. With a hollow body and small cockpit, however, the Sunfish floats high and is unsinkable when capsized. With the daggerboard in place, it can be righted fairly easily after a capsize once you learn how.

A key advantage of the Sunfish, its portability, is a limitation for some. While two small adults or teens can sail together, this is not a boat for social conversation or a quiet, meditative picnic on the water. Rather, a Hunter or similar daysailer is more comfortable for two or three crew. Since the boat is so responsive to direction and wind changes, and to steering changes and the position of body weight, you need to pay attention to what you're doing at all times.

Except when things are fairly calm, it's not a good idea to cleat down the main sheet, as you want to be able to quickly let the sail out in a strong gust. With one hand on the sheet and the other on the tiller, and ducking below the boom while shifting your weight side to side every tack and gybe, you're kept busy, but that also makes for a more intense sailing experience. Overall, this is a great boat to keep at a lake, stow away in your garage or car-top to a nearby bay for an afternoon's great fun.

Once you've learned the basics of sailing , anyone can sail a Sunfish. When the wind is good, even the pros can have fun zipping about over the water. If you eventually feel you want a faster, more exciting boat of the same size, consider a Laser.

Actively scan device characteristics for identification. Use precise geolocation data. Select personalised content. Create a personalised content profile. Measure ad performance. Product Description While the Sunfish is no longer available at West Coast Sailing, we offer a range of great alternative sailboats from leading small boat manufacturers.

The Sunfish is one of the most iconic recreational sailboats ever made. Two lines - one to raise the sail, the other to trim it. The Sunfish is fiberglass construction, but it lasts a long time without a lot of maintenance. Available in different colors every year, with a few different optional hardware upgrades - the Sunfish continues to sell in North America every summer.

Fiberglass construction for a lightweight hull. Self-bailing cockpit. Storage space in rear of cockpit. Car toppable. Mainsheet ratchet block now included. Lateen-rigged sail automatically de-powers when hit by a gust of wind.