SunFish Sailing

I know this is a Cat Sailing site, and yes, I sail catamarans.
(although some of those that know me would debate that I 'sail')

But, I'm up here at a family camp in the NOrthwoods of WI.
Locals call it 'up North'. For years after I moved up here, I always thought it odd since I had always thought anywhere in WI. was
'up North' if ya know what I mean.

Anyways, this camp has 6 Sunfish- ready to hoist and go, moored in the lake- Moon Lake. Pristinely clean lake, over 10ft visibility, about a mile accross, and 30ft deep in the middle.
I've been sailing these Sunfish- tried them all now.
With the shifts and gusts here in this small lake surrounded by tall trees/pines- it's challenging.
But- it's sailing!! Even if it is a SunFish.

hey, whatever gets you out on a boat sailing is +1 for me!

Gotta get so I can squeeze my fatass in an Opti my kids will be sailing next summer. But it's still sailing

And the "crace" (race/cruise) to Cape Coral is in two weeks and I still have to finish measuring for my PHRF cert...

I own two Sunfish and they can be the best choice in the right place. Some days when the Gulf of Mexico is calm off the beach its great fun to sail the Sunfish way out into the gulf (a mile or so), then back along the beach. When the wind picks up it's great fun to ride a big wave all the way to the beach.

My nephews sail a sunfish on a lake in Central Florida. It's great fun even for the adults as long as you don't have a catamaran around to make you feel slow.

BTW... cookwithgas... your avatar is causing errors for everyone else.

When I had the hotel in Key Largo we did beer can racing every Wednesday on Sunfishs.., had around ten boats sailing. They got replaced by Waves in the 90s
I liked the boat.

Thanks for the replies,
Everytime I sail one, I seem to remember many of the Earlier Americas Club Skippers got their start on the Sunfish.
Forecast is for mid upper 70's, mostly sun, winds S @ 10-15.
It was 45F when we woke this morning. IT'S AUGUST! Still getting used to this WI. and now we're in the 'NOrth Woods', very near the UP (local talk for the Upper Peninsula)

Next w/e- it'll be back on my INfusion (classic),
staying at the Selmeyers' place on Green Bay.
The next CRAW regatta is at the Yacht club near his home.
Always a good time

Analogy Time:

Sunfish is to sailboats, as...
VW Beetle is to automobiles.

yes, but both get you driving out on the open road....

If Pee-Wee Herman decided to try sailing, what kind of sailboat would Pee-Wee buy?

A Snark!

Hobie 16?

what's a pedal file?

Dave,

I was going to donate a bottle of rum to the Snark 18 America's here in October, but you insult us Hobie 16 sailors, so I will save it for the Hobie 16 Fleet at the Charlotte Harbor Regatta.

I am sure that I have gotten way more action on a Hobie 16 than PeeWee ever got in the back row of moving picture show.

A broad reach 1-3 miles offshore with 3-5 breeze.

She snuggles up and we're a mast raisin!

Fair enough and I have no doubt you have. The comment was actually in defense of the Sunfish and the H16 was chosen because according to Jeff's signature he sails a Hobie 16. I knew the comment would create some colateral damage but I assumed most would pick up the irony that a sailor of a frequently milinged boat was looking down his nose at another fleet.

I still don't get poo pooing another fleet because I have yet to race on a boat where you are not challenged, monohull, multihull, 4ksb or whatever.

If you're still put out Jack I'll buy you a rummy and we can discuss it further at the bar.

It is all in jest.

I will admit to being beat around a race course by a Sunfish or 2. Just in front of where you've launched at the PC Regatta the committee set up a 150 yard WL. I took my daughter on the Hobie 16 as were was practicing for the 2005 JPOR. The same 3-5 wind. A fair start, no poor start, it's like tacking a dinosaur.

You'll see your bottle of rum

I really like the Sunfish. It is a great, simple boat that (at least used to have) great OD racing. If you could win a district regatta, you were a really great sailor.

We had one when I was a kid. We used the heck out of it. No wind, no problem - take the sail off, push it off the dock and see who could climb up the mast the highest before it tipped over.

Nathan's (my son's) first solo a couple weeks ago. At 10yrs and 75lb he can just barely right it solo, but he had a blast. According to him tipping is funner than sailing sometimes. As someone mentioned, 1 string, 1 stick - he'll figure it out.

That is why the Wave has gained so much.., simplicity and one design racing with awesome competition

"Snark"? --That was an unexpected comeback. Considering we less serious commenters here are being a bit 'snarky'. I think Pee-Wee would give a thumbs up for that one!

The Hobie 16 insult made me nostalgic for the old Bulletin Board, when you could post anonymously. The poor Hobie 16 suffered the most hyperbolic and outrageous insults. It was very entertaining! If only those creative writers would have put as much effort into their high school English classes, they may have gotten admitted into college.

My first boat was a Sunfish... Circa 1976



Then a Force 5... Circa 1977 this photo was the same day I was introduced to catamarans.... there was a regatta @ Sandy Point State Park in Maryland. Some guy needed a crew for his Hobie 16 and I never looked back

I pretty much like anything with sails. I just recently acquired a Sunfish and I have really enjoyed it. It won't replace my Hobie 16, but it definitely has its place. I can sail the Sunfish in conditions that would be "survival" on the 16. It's also nice to be able to rig/de-rig in about five minutes as well.