Starter Sail Boat

Puff4 · 07-11-2004, 11:06 AM

Sunfish are great, especially if you're learning, but I found that I quickly tired of the Sunfish because you couldn't *do* anything on the boat, except sail. I love to sail - been doing it since I was 8 years old and now I'm 49 - but I like to do more with the boat, too. It's nice to be able to go somewhere with a nice picnic lunch, for example, or to eat out on the lake... or to occcasionally take a few friends with you or to carry supplies. Lack of room is was a killer for me, plus you're pretty much always going to be wet for the entire sail on a Sunfish... kind of kills sailing on chilly days unless you suit up, and even when it's warm I just got tired of having a wet b*tt!

)

I've owned a Boston Whaler Harpoon 4.6 for 20 years now, and although it's an older boat, if you can find one in good shape - and most have been kept pretty well - then this is truly the Mercedes of daysailors. See HERE for more information.

These were *very* expensive boats when new - over $7,800 in 1978 dollars - but they're as sturdy as you'll ever get and they sail better than any other small boat I've ever sailed - and I've sailed a *lot* of them! They were designed by the guy that designed the C&C race/cruisers (*nice boats*) and then built by BW, so the quality was definitely top shelf. Plus, they are *very* safe boats - they almost never turn turtle an have a light weather helm (they point into the wind if you let everything go) so if you fall out the boat will wait for you and not run off.

Fair winds to all,
Kevin

ART · 07-11-2004, 12:41 PM

Some of the smaller sailboats (Sun Fish, Laser) are designed to tip over when pushed too far. I have a Laser and think this is fun in the middle of the summer. But it is not a boat to go out in a fleece and jeans in the spring and fall. This aspect should be strongly considered.

I have bought boats through the Want Advertiser. Here is the online link:
www.thewantad.com

A terrific 'dry' boat is the O'Day day sailer.

Good luck.

John A. Birdsall · 07-11-2004, 09:34 PM

having used a sunfish/sailfish they were fun and as others say quite wet. I bought a puffer I think they call it a 13'9" boat that should hold three people but can be handled by one. It has a jib and a main sail. It also tips over, I think they call it being a turtle. I learned on a sunfish or sailfish how to right the fool thing, but let me tell you if you sit in and not on its not an easy thing to right the boat.

But the quietness of the event and if you mindful of just what is happening can be a lot of fun.

Silver Duck · 07-12-2004, 07:37 PM

Rattlesnake Gal

Have you checked into whether there are any sailing clubs in your area that offer junior memberships or "learn to sail" programs? Kids like being with other kids, and this is a great way for them to learn how to sail well

(and to find out whether they have a taste for it - not everybody does

).

IMHO, sailing is much more fun is you know how to make the boat perform well, and racing is a great way to hook the kids on sailing.

P.S. Once the kids have learned, Lasers are a really good kid's boat and meet your requirements of easy removal from the water.

Silver Duck

Rattlesnake Gal · 07-13-2004, 11:02 AM

Thanks to a kind, generous forum member, our sons now have a small Sunfish type boat. It needs a bit of work, but that is coming along nicely. They are turning into boat refinish pros. I think this is the start of a great hobby for all of us.
Thank you everyone for all the great advice and feedback and special thanks to our new friend in Meredith. I’ll be sure to send a picture.

07-11-2004, 11:06 AM	#1
Puff4 Junior Member Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 9 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Sunfish are great, especially if you're learning, but I found that I quickly tired of the Sunfish because you couldn't do anything on the boat, except sail. I love to sail - been doing it since I was 8 years old and now I'm 49 - but I like to do more with the boat, too. It's nice to be able to go somewhere with a nice picnic lunch, for example, or to eat out on the lake... or to occcasionally take a few friends with you or to carry supplies. Lack of room is was a killer for me, plus you're pretty much always going to be wet for the entire sail on a Sunfish... kind of kills sailing on chilly days unless you suit up, and even when it's warm I just got tired of having a wet btt! ) I've owned a Boston Whaler Harpoon 4.6 for 20 years now, and although it's an older boat, if you can find one in good shape - and most have been kept pretty well - then this is truly the Mercedes of daysailors. See HERE for more information. These were very* expensive boats when new - over $7,800 in 1978 dollars - but they're as sturdy as you'll ever get and they sail better than any other small boat I've ever sailed - and I've sailed a lot of them! They were designed by the guy that designed the C&C race/cruisers (nice boats) and then built by BW, so the quality was definitely top shelf. Plus, they are very safe boats - they almost never turn turtle an have a light weather helm (they point into the wind if you let everything go) so if you fall out the boat will wait for you and not run off. Fair winds to all, Kevin Last edited by Puff4; 04-23-2005 at 06:05 AM.

07-11-2004, 09:34 PM	#3
John A. Birdsall Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Norwich, CT Posts: 599 Thanks: 27 Thanked 51 Times in 35 Posts	sail boat having used a sunfish/sailfish they were fun and as others say quite wet. I bought a puffer I think they call it a 13'9" boat that should hold three people but can be handled by one. It has a jib and a main sail. It also tips over, I think they call it being a turtle. I learned on a sunfish or sailfish how to right the fool thing, but let me tell you if you sit in and not on its not an easy thing to right the boat. But the quietness of the event and if you mindful of just what is happening can be a lot of fun.

07-13-2004, 11:02 AM	#5
Rattlesnake Gal Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Central NH Posts: 5,253 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 1,455 Thanked 1,357 Times in 476 Posts	Thanks! Thanks to a kind, generous forum member, our sons now have a small Sunfish type boat. It needs a bit of work, but that is coming along nicely. They are turning into boat refinish pros. I think this is the start of a great hobby for all of us. Thank you everyone for all the great advice and feedback and special thanks to our new friend in Meredith. I’ll be sure to send a picture.

07-11-2004, 12:41 PM	#2
ART Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Medfield/Wolfeboro Posts: 109 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Some of the smaller sailboats (Sun Fish, Laser) are designed to tip over when pushed too far. I have a Laser and think this is fun in the middle of the summer. But it is not a boat to go out in a fleece and jeans in the spring and fall. This aspect should be strongly considered. I have bought boats through the Want Advertiser. Here is the online link: www.thewantad.com A terrific 'dry' boat is the O'Day day sailer. Good luck.

07-12-2004, 07:37 PM	#4
Silver Duck Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Billerica, MA Posts: 364 Thanks: 40 Thanked 4 Times in 3 Posts	Rattlesnake Gal Have you checked into whether there are any sailing clubs in your area that offer junior memberships or "learn to sail" programs? Kids like being with other kids, and this is a great way for them to learn how to sail well (and to find out whether they have a taste for it - not everybody does ). IMHO, sailing is much more fun is you know how to make the boat perform well, and racing is a great way to hook the kids on sailing. P.S. Once the kids have learned, Lasers are a really good kid's boat and meet your requirements of easy removal from the water. Silver Duck