The sunfish actually had a standard rig on it at one time. It was called the Super Sunfish. It was slower than the standard lanteen rig and was dropped after 10 years production. A hiking option would never be available for this boat because there is no way to feasably attach it. When the wind is up, just stand up, gab the boom, and windsurf it.
Its standard rig isnt that great is it. It cant be that efficient, as for the trapeze? well it would be an interesting experiment. Nice looking hull though, looks like a scow. Having gotten into trapezing I tried a couple of hiking 'performance' boats and cant figure out why a trapeze option isnt available. Once you have tasted better upwind performance ie trapeze, you wont want to hike again.
What storm? I dont see a storm in this video...wtf are you talking about? neat little boat, if I had one I would put a better rig on it...and add a trapeze:)
this is title sailing the sunfish in a storm! Yet you say the water is flat! The water doesnt look flat to me! I am new to sailing and trying to learn! I have a Snark and there's not way I coulc sail it in a storm. Correct me if Im wrong!
From a naval engineers perspective, the sunfish is a poorly designed boat. Its aerodynamic and hydrodynamic specifications are lacking. The main reason it is so "popular" is because it is so cheap. Day sailors will be much more inclined to purchase a sunfish due to its price. The most popular dingy in terms of racing (real sailing) is the opti, then laser. Just look at some of the largest regattas in the world.
@ferbs207 $4500 dollars for a 13ft boat isn't exactly cheap & Optis are not exactly aerodynamic. They're popular because they're easy to set up & a blast to sail
The sunfish for grown ups- is fun if you see the humour in it! It's fun to reach for it's limits with too much wind and so on. But never get serious with this floating door, you'll look silly.
(ps, I got one, just for fun...but some other floating stuff for serious racing)
Sunfish is the most popular boat in the world. I wonder what could be the reason for that. Hey, maybe it's because it's a really fun and versatile boat. Anyone arguing against a Sunfish must have his sails (and brains) all aflutter.
@BnS1374 As of 2010 the number of Lasers produced is approaching 200,000. Over 500,000 Sunfish have been produced. So I guess it depends on what we mean by popular. I should have just said in my original post that more Sunfish have been produced than any other fiberglass boat in the world - the end.
@zkenzo Oh. well then I guess I have old data. Hobie 16s were #1 in late 90s then moved to 2nd early 2000s and now they're thrid. H16s are close to 190, 000. I guess cheaper boats are dominating these days...
@KanzlerM I don't know about a Phantom, but the proper airfoil shape is already built into the Sunfish racing sail. You can also add a cunningham, clew outhaul, and vang tension to it, let alone the gooseneck adjustment. Anyhow, I don't see how you say it's "less fun"??
@KanzlerM Alcort had a cat rig version of the Sunfish--called the SuperSunfish. It was in production for ten years. It had almost the same sail area as`the lanteen rig, but was actually a bit slower than the the lanteen. The lanteen was actually easier to set up than the cat rig, one of the reasons why the Super was discontinued,among others. The lanteen Sunfish is also harder to "death roll", and is easier to right after a capsize.
@SHunting1997 Where did you find that information? I saw one website that says 500,000 Optimists have been built and several that say over 500,000 Sunfish have been built. But the Sunfish has been recognized as the most popular fiberglass boat of all time. And there are Sunfish fleets in at least 28 countries around the world. Might just be a toss up as to which one is most popular. Not that is matters since they are both great boats and the Opti is perfect for youngsters to start in/on.
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
I Laugh at ALL of you. you are agueing whether a sunfish or optamist is better. THEY BOTH SUCK DICK!. Optimist looks like a floating bathtub and the sunfish sail is just....wierd. CATAMARANS ALL THE WAY U CHEAP BETCHES!
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
REALLY?!?! FOR UNDER A GRAND?!?! WOW!! I bought my hobie 16 for 700 dollars..ya i know they are cheap. but i bet i can get a used sunfish for 150 dollars.
ok so the following is both dangerous but very help ful in most cases, bugee the rudder to stay straigh, but keep it able to move and get a good cleat on the main sheet. AND ITS MORE FUN TO LET THE BOAT HEEL!
one thing you might want to try is installing a cam cleat base for your mainsheet exit block or put cam or clam cleats on each side of the boat to hold the mainsheet when you sail. my sunfish has a clam cleat on each side of it and it really helps. and the good thing with those is that if the wind gets too strong their easy to release
i know that but if your filming or adjusting the daggerboard it helps to have something there and like i said the good things about those cleats is that they are easy to release in case of an emergency
@esrb who cares if it dangerous. an 80 year old man tuaght me to sail he put the cleat on my line its great. i have a bungee on the rudder to keep it straight. its like an autopilott. and if i capsize what my boat will... capsize? no big deal.
@esrb I have a camcleat on the mainsheet and a Davis tiller tamer installed. It makes sailing so much more relaxing and fun. I sort of like being able to get a drink or check my gps for speed and not have the boat go crazy when I let go of the tiller. If conditions warrant it, you can uncleat and loosen the tiller tamer and have all the control you need. As for anything on a Sunfish being dangerous, unless your sailing in Piranha infested waters or something, what can be dangerous?
The sunfish actually had a standard rig on it at one time. It was called the Super Sunfish. It was slower than the standard lanteen rig and was dropped after 10 years production. A hiking option would never be available for this boat because there is no way to feasably attach it. When the wind is up, just stand up, gab the boom, and windsurf it.
zkenzo 2 months ago
Ah, the title was misleading
robraver 2 months ago
Its standard rig isnt that great is it. It cant be that efficient, as for the trapeze? well it would be an interesting experiment. Nice looking hull though, looks like a scow. Having gotten into trapezing I tried a couple of hiking 'performance' boats and cant figure out why a trapeze option isnt available. Once you have tasted better upwind performance ie trapeze, you wont want to hike again.
robraver 2 months ago
What storm? I dont see a storm in this video...wtf are you talking about? neat little boat, if I had one I would put a better rig on it...and add a trapeze:)
robraver 2 months ago
@robraver What rig are you talking about & why a trapeze??
zkenzo 2 months ago
@robraver He actually said 'post' storm-- meaning 'after' the storm
zkenzo 2 months ago
sunfish are so much damn fun. i have a little snark now, but spent more time on a sunfish. <3 small boats.
danogzilla 3 months ago
this is title sailing the sunfish in a storm! Yet you say the water is flat! The water doesnt look flat to me! I am new to sailing and trying to learn! I have a Snark and there's not way I coulc sail it in a storm. Correct me if Im wrong!
jawjadancr 6 months ago
dude sick speed
ageOFpiratesPLAYER 8 months ago
I don't see no spray, no flips and no havoc... ? see me 7 bft without the acdc bullshit on the background...
ssupervis 9 months ago
Storm?
harleyoyi 1 year ago
i preafer my laser....
jeanguiskiff 1 year ago
From a naval engineers perspective, the sunfish is a poorly designed boat. Its aerodynamic and hydrodynamic specifications are lacking. The main reason it is so "popular" is because it is so cheap. Day sailors will be much more inclined to purchase a sunfish due to its price. The most popular dingy in terms of racing (real sailing) is the opti, then laser. Just look at some of the largest regattas in the world.
ferbs207 1 year ago
@ferbs207 $4500 dollars for a 13ft boat isn't exactly cheap & Optis are not exactly aerodynamic. They're popular because they're easy to set up & a blast to sail
zkenzo 1 year ago
excellent vid. Well done on all points. LOL, a rarety on youtube.
Petewp 1 year ago
If you dont have wind let your sail out then when you get a good gust leave it halfway.
vivienleigh1097 1 year ago
I windsurf mine, weather permitting.
zkenzo 1 year ago
The sunfish for grown ups- is fun if you see the humour in it! It's fun to reach for it's limits with too much wind and so on. But never get serious with this floating door, you'll look silly.
(ps, I got one, just for fun...but some other floating stuff for serious racing)
ssupervis 1 year ago
@ssupervis What floating "stuff" do you recommend?
zkenzo 1 year ago
@zkenzo I sail a Hurricane SX Cat, together with my brother. But here's me on my sunfish, trying really hard to get it planing!
(link doesn't work?) Look for "Sunfish Binnenschelde" on youtube!
ssupervis 1 year ago
He was going fast. I wish i could have winds like that.
boe544 2 years ago
Sunfish is the most popular boat in the world. I wonder what could be the reason for that. Hey, maybe it's because it's a really fun and versatile boat. Anyone arguing against a Sunfish must have his sails (and brains) all aflutter.
robwitt 2 years ago 17
May I add--the first boat accepted into the national sailboat hall of fame.
zkenzo 2 years ago
@robwitt Acually the Sunfish IS NOT the most popular boat in the world. the most popular is that Laser, then Hobie 16, then Opti, THEN SUNFISH.
BnS1374 1 year ago
@BnS1374 As of 2010 the number of Lasers produced is approaching 200,000. Over 500,000 Sunfish have been produced. So I guess it depends on what we mean by popular. I should have just said in my original post that more Sunfish have been produced than any other fiberglass boat in the world - the end.
robwitt 1 year ago
@BnS1374 How do you define popular? Where's your data??
zkenzo 1 year ago
@zkenzo Oh. well then I guess I have old data. Hobie 16s were #1 in late 90s then moved to 2nd early 2000s and now they're thrid. H16s are close to 190, 000. I guess cheaper boats are dominating these days...
BnS1374 1 year ago
@robwitt No one sail sunfish in europe...
FSpilotSWE 1 year ago
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zkenzo 1 year ago
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zkenzo 1 year ago
@FSpilotSWE no one sails toppers, mirrors, darts, merlin rockets, fireballs (etc.) in the US as well.
zkenzo 1 year ago
@robwitt
If the Sunfish ditched that Lateen rig and went for a Cat rig (like the Laser) it would be twice as fun.
My first boat was a Sea Snark - I hated the Lateen rig.
KanzlerM 8 months ago
@KanzlerM Why??
zkenzo 7 months ago
@zkenzo
With the lateen rig it's impossible to get proper (airfoil) sail shape
KanzlerM 7 months ago
@KanzlerM I don't know about a Phantom, but the proper airfoil shape is already built into the Sunfish racing sail. You can also add a cunningham, clew outhaul, and vang tension to it, let alone the gooseneck adjustment. Anyhow, I don't see how you say it's "less fun"??
zkenzo 7 months ago
@KanzlerM Alcort had a cat rig version of the Sunfish--called the SuperSunfish. It was in production for ten years. It had almost the same sail area as`the lanteen rig, but was actually a bit slower than the the lanteen. The lanteen was actually easier to set up than the cat rig, one of the reasons why the Super was discontinued,among others. The lanteen Sunfish is also harder to "death roll", and is easier to right after a capsize.
zkenzo 7 months ago
@robwitt No your totally wrong, the most popular boat is the optimist.... Sun fishes are only in the United States.
SHunting1997 3 months ago
@SHunting1997 Where did you find that information? I saw one website that says 500,000 Optimists have been built and several that say over 500,000 Sunfish have been built. But the Sunfish has been recognized as the most popular fiberglass boat of all time. And there are Sunfish fleets in at least 28 countries around the world. Might just be a toss up as to which one is most popular. Not that is matters since they are both great boats and the Opti is perfect for youngsters to start in/on.
robwitt 3 months ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
I Laugh at ALL of you. you are agueing whether a sunfish or optamist is better. THEY BOTH SUCK DICK!. Optimist looks like a floating bathtub and the sunfish sail is just....wierd. CATAMARANS ALL THE WAY U CHEAP BETCHES!
superzkid 2 years ago
Cheap betches? I can buy a used Hobie for under a grand, Thats cheap!
zkenzo 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
REALLY?!?! FOR UNDER A GRAND?!?! WOW!! I bought my hobie 16 for 700 dollars..ya i know they are cheap. but i bet i can get a used sunfish for 150 dollars.
superzkid 2 years ago
Highly doubt it--check Ebay.
zkenzo 2 years ago
I can probably by a Hobie at my local boatyard for 150, but I wouldn't want to sail it. New sunfish run around 4 grand. Definitely not cheap!
zkenzo 2 years ago
ok so the following is both dangerous but very help ful in most cases, bugee the rudder to stay straigh, but keep it able to move and get a good cleat on the main sheet. AND ITS MORE FUN TO LET THE BOAT HEEL!
mydogdiedoftoast 2 years ago 8
@mydogdiedoftoast love heeling!
smileyman866 1 year ago
one thing you might want to try is installing a cam cleat base for your mainsheet exit block or put cam or clam cleats on each side of the boat to hold the mainsheet when you sail. my sunfish has a clam cleat on each side of it and it really helps. and the good thing with those is that if the wind gets too strong their easy to release
yournamehere832 2 years ago
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who cares!? The boat is garbage anyway! You'd be better off with an optimist!
CHRISBE425 2 years ago
optimists are like sailing in a bath tub sunfish or laser all the way
forbis1213 2 years ago 4
i have to go to camp in an optimist, and i havent sailed for more than 30 minutes, and im ready for the sunfish ahah.
BavAuto54 2 years ago
In your dreams--
zkenzo 2 years ago
Putting cleats to hold the line is dangerous. You'd better feel the line in your hands and lift more weights for more strength.
esrb 2 years ago
i know that but if your filming or adjusting the daggerboard it helps to have something there and like i said the good things about those cleats is that they are easy to release in case of an emergency
yournamehere832 2 years ago
@esrb who cares if it dangerous. an 80 year old man tuaght me to sail he put the cleat on my line its great. i have a bungee on the rudder to keep it straight. its like an autopilott. and if i capsize what my boat will... capsize? no big deal.
mydogdiedoftoast 1 year ago
@esrb I have a camcleat on the mainsheet and a Davis tiller tamer installed. It makes sailing so much more relaxing and fun. I sort of like being able to get a drink or check my gps for speed and not have the boat go crazy when I let go of the tiller. If conditions warrant it, you can uncleat and loosen the tiller tamer and have all the control you need. As for anything on a Sunfish being dangerous, unless your sailing in Piranha infested waters or something, what can be dangerous?
robwitt 8 months ago
I learned on a sunfish as a kid. Kind of a dog till you start plaining, but then... woot! Love 'em!!!
mhansl 2 years ago
*planing! typos are so unsexy.
mhansl 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
Sunfish are so stupid
CHRISBE425 2 years ago
true that
extremedude71 2 years ago
Dude you suck dick!!!!!!
danappyheadedhoe 2 years ago
fun as hell in a good storm!!hahahahah
SmALLStEAM2324 2 years ago
These boats ar a blast in 20+ mph winds! You can pretty much windsurf them. Nice vid!
vickie027 3 years ago