what's one more boat ? - 1979 Sunfish

edgepa

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
May 30, 2011
Messages
92
I couldn't resist. Plus this one looks like it is in pretty good shape, but I haven't gone over it in close detail. My first job is to make sure that the trailer is road-ready as I will be pulling it 1,800 miles in August. I will repack the hubs and check the leaf springs for cracks. Tires are new so they should be ok.

Sunfish.jpg
 

Attachments

  • Sunfish.jpg
    Sunfish.jpg
    762.2 KB · Views: 11

sphelps

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Nov 16, 2011
Messages
11,429
I’ve never rode in a sail boat . That’s on the bucket list . I’m just afraid I might enjoy it and end up with a yard full of em ..
:facepalm:
 

edgepa

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
May 30, 2011
Messages
92
Well it’s been 20 years since I have sailed so I am hoping it goes well. But so far it is worth it as my son asked if he can use it this weekend locally. :clap2:
 

edgepa

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
May 30, 2011
Messages
92
I have decided to sand off the surface rust and give it some rattle can love to the trailer. The plan is to:
  • sand with an orbital and 150 grit
  • wipe down with acetone
  • 2 coats primer
  • 2 coats paint
If there is an error in my process, please let me know!
 

edgepa

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
May 30, 2011
Messages
92
I have decided to sand off the surface rust and give it some rattle can love to the trailer. The plan is to:
  • sand with an orbital and 150 grit
  • wipe down with acetone
  • 2 coats primer
  • 2 coats paint
If there is an error in my process, please let me know!
Well the last post was, well, awhile ago. Seems like a lot was going on. Anyway, I wonder who laughed when I said “surface rust”? I now know that’s not a thing. I had to sand the heck out of that thing. But there was a pretty good outcome for the trailer.

So the plan was to take the boat up to the cabin in 2019, but despite all my planning we ended up with a Beverly Hillbillies trailer/truck set up. So it was pushed to summer 2020. Then a global thing happened.

So fall 2021, the boat was hauled 1800 miles to the cabin and sailed finally on the lake. And subsequently stored under the cabin. And yet the trailer was brought empty back home.

Although nothing was denied, I may have had a secret plan. What fun is one sailboat? Sure, a leisurely sail is nice. But I know my family. A little cut-throat competition is more our style. One boat good; two boats better.

Two weeks ago, I picked up #2 for $40… and plenty of problems. I will need some help with a Frankenstein fiberglass re-do. Please see pictures…

Also mods, let me know if this should be a new thread.
 

Attachments

  • 41CC2E1E-E864-45E9-8241-177B933E708B.jpeg
    41CC2E1E-E864-45E9-8241-177B933E708B.jpeg
    4.1 MB · Views: 19
  • 58EF5F61-BB07-4BFE-A6FC-7FB7990395D6.jpeg
    58EF5F61-BB07-4BFE-A6FC-7FB7990395D6.jpeg
    3.8 MB · Views: 20
  • 63263684-092B-4BFD-9778-68558B43437E.jpeg
    63263684-092B-4BFD-9778-68558B43437E.jpeg
    1.7 MB · Views: 20
  • 91F85D8B-1EC7-4D47-A8AB-90E56FCB2E6B.jpeg
    91F85D8B-1EC7-4D47-A8AB-90E56FCB2E6B.jpeg
    5.5 MB · Views: 19

tpenfield

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Jul 18, 2011
Messages
17,621
I introduced my family to boating with a Sunfish. I still have it to this day, but don't get it out often (too many boats). If I can grab a trailer for mine, I'd probably use it more often.
 

elsaylor

Cadet
Joined
Feb 24, 2022
Messages
27
+1 i learned to sail on about that same boat right there good stuff maynard
 

edgepa

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
May 30, 2011
Messages
92
Cut in two inspection port openings. I was able wet vac about a gallon of water out of the stern. Foam was in good shape, but nonetheless will run a fan for a month or so.
Also this will provide access to put in a backing plate for the new style rudder. So much work to do back there.
 

Attachments

  • C088D896-9985-4FE8-9B4F-4D06BB41714B.jpeg
    C088D896-9985-4FE8-9B4F-4D06BB41714B.jpeg
    2.6 MB · Views: 10
  • F9C0735B-84CD-4C25-9B9D-AA0E95E2F64C.jpeg
    F9C0735B-84CD-4C25-9B9D-AA0E95E2F64C.jpeg
    1.3 MB · Views: 10
  • AF463184-1458-4E1E-B46E-0F2907B0A8BE.jpeg
    AF463184-1458-4E1E-B46E-0F2907B0A8BE.jpeg
    1.6 MB · Views: 10

76SeaRay

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Aug 24, 2017
Messages
1,047
Keep in mind that all sailboats can easily be capsized and especially the smaller ones. When they do capsize, they rely heavily upon the floatation foam to keep it afloat and to right it once you get yourself out of the water at the centerboard. Waterlogged foam is not good news on any boat but particularly important not to have it on these small sailboats. If you "turtle it" with waterlogged foam, you won't right it without power boat assistance, that is if it doesn't sink on you.
 

edgepa

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
May 30, 2011
Messages
92
Hey 76searay,
Totally agree. According to some Sunfish user groups waterlogged foam can be dried out with the fans. The goal is to get back to 139 lbs. So, let’s see what happens. All the foam I can touch so far seems good.

The fiberglass work at the rudder concerns me the most. It is so messy. I think it is the source of the leak.

I have yet to capsize in a sunfish, but that’s because I haven’t pushed it yet. Maybe this summer I will get more aggressive.
 

76SeaRay

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Aug 24, 2017
Messages
1,047
Handy tip from an old sailor, if you capsize and can't get it upright quickly, swim around and tie a life jacket to the top of the mast. That helps prevent it from going turtle. Enjoy the swim when you capsize, unless you are quick enough to climb up over the gunwale and onto the centerboard to right it. It is possible to capsize and right without getting your feet wet, nimble and quick and on a smaller boat.
 

edgepa

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
May 30, 2011
Messages
92
Yeah, I am not that quick at 57 despite what I pretend to be.

I have seen people put a flotation on the mast to prevent turtling. I assume the resistance on the sail gives you some time… even at 57.
 

76SeaRay

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Aug 24, 2017
Messages
1,047
Yup the sail gives you some time to get it done. Some people have put floatation foam inside their aluminum mast. I do miss sailing but got too old to manage stepping the mast on my 24ft American. I have sailed 12 foot Kites, International 14's, 16 foot C-Larks, 18 foot Lightnings, 16 foot Hobie Cats, 24 foot American, 36 foot Cal, Morgan 41, a 70 foot Square Rigger and an 80 foot Square Rigger. All were a blast but the best of all was getting to sail the 1987 America's Cup winner Stars and Stripes after she was retired. Now its back to power for the "easy life", yeah right with the price of gas these days. I may not get all the restoration done this year but really hope to splash the Sea Ray late this summer.
 

edgepa

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
May 30, 2011
Messages
92
I am ready to remove this mess of fiberglass. I assume the only way to do it is by aggressively sanding. Any tips?
 

Attachments

  • 1448CB54-8D81-44E9-AB69-0BC320320BB8.jpeg
    1448CB54-8D81-44E9-AB69-0BC320320BB8.jpeg
    1.6 MB · Views: 7
  • 4F051918-D29F-4756-A5E2-5B94CF0916CA.jpeg
    4F051918-D29F-4756-A5E2-5B94CF0916CA.jpeg
    1.4 MB · Views: 7

todhunter

Canoeist
Joined
Sep 15, 2020
Messages
1,234
Angle grinder and 40 grit flap discs....and a respirator, tyvek suit, and goggles. Prepare to get itchy!
 

edgepa

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
May 30, 2011
Messages
92
I took the Angle grinder with 40 grit flap wheel to the ugly fiberglass on transom. It really ripped the material off quick. Dangerously quick! Looks like I got into the original gel coat. I think I will use an orbital with 80 grit to finish.

Based on the photos, how much more do I need to remove? My goal is have flat surface that matches the white hull. Can I just add faring compound at this point? And how about the “cavities”? Special treatment for those?
 

Attachments

  • A0AFD74C-BB2D-4115-80DF-4C12EC45D71A.jpeg
    A0AFD74C-BB2D-4115-80DF-4C12EC45D71A.jpeg
    1.3 MB · Views: 10
  • 3A2FA1B1-69EE-42F6-806A-45457484D6F9.png
    3A2FA1B1-69EE-42F6-806A-45457484D6F9.png
    3.7 MB · Views: 10
  • C3F54BB0-05FE-4800-889E-37CFE637617B.png
    C3F54BB0-05FE-4800-889E-37CFE637617B.png
    4.4 MB · Views: 10
Top