New to sunfish sailing! I was lucky enough to be driving down a road in May and came across a guy putting his very nice conditioned sunfish out by the road for free! "he said the person who's supposed to get it will come along"....well I did! I'm the proud owner of a new sunfish! I've been following your channel now for some time and enjoy the videos, especially about some upgrades. I visited the Dinghy shop last week and got started on a few of your suggestions and purchased the Right On trailer based on your video. I'm very interested in the fall racing series they host and the Sea Cliff Frostbite series. I'm brand new to racing so to be safe and respectful to other sunfish racers. Is there a resource you can recommend to learn a few of the in's-and-out's. (rounding a marker, how to safely line up and start etc). I watched your intro video and it got me started. Looking forward to being on the water!!
I dont have videos in beginning racing, but here are some tips- we all been a beginner- 1. Dont hit another boat. 2. Have fun. 3. Watch what the good sailors do. 4. Being new, the good sailors can pull away from you pretty quickly so dont have an attitude of “i dont want to mess anyone up”. As a racer myself, if a beginner “messes me up”. That’s in me, because I should always be able to avoid trouble situations with a beginner. So. Have fun, fogure out the start sequence, ask questions, and enjoy the learning journey!
@@LeeSideSailing Thanks for your reply and advice. My plan is to kinda follow the pack and watch and learn. I'm excited to get my boat in the water. It's great to have your channel as a resource. Happy Sailing
At 2:01 on this video you mention a pulley with a jam cleat for the mainsail boom line... They ought to make that standard equipment! (Have it right behind the centerboard where the pulley used to be...) I would like to have a free hand when I'm sailing; This would make Me very happy!
@@LeeSideSailing Lee I may have found an ‘01 very basic. If the hull and mast are good would it be a good value with trailer, dolly, new sail, fiberglass boards, and race upgrades. Would it be good id I’m in at $4200? Sounds like a lot to me.
Lee, Is there anything you can do to protect the dagger board if you unexpectedly hit shallow water or a deadhead in the water. Like an auto-retractable dagger? Or the dagger modified to protect it if you hit a hard object? Aside from just manually pulling it up.
You make an excellent point about starting the season early and getting the boat prepped and checked out even before the water gets warm. BTW off the top of your head, what gooseneck setting is best if the sailor is old, fat, and hates hiking-out? Only half-joking.
Thanks!! For most people, and under 14mph winds i say start at 15”…. Work your way back half inch at a time from there…. Most people can handle 15” under 11mph. But for old, fat and hates to hike- 15” at 4-11mph will give you enough power :).
The extension in the video is 30”, without the universal joint. I personally like 40”, which is what you see in the sailing parts of the video…. Many people who have used it feel it is very long….
You dont HAVE to, BUT, make sure the tail of the halyard goes from the mast cleat to the deck bulleyes fairlead and then deck cleat... this will ensure the rig stays with the boat in the event of a capsize. ...
Not sure exactly why they changed out the handle, but i do know personally two people who got their fingers caught, one got broken…. It is when the stopper came off…. Make sure there is a stopper or with the new ones, a rope handle in place :).
I’m would contact Ronstan, there is something wrong…. I have broken maybe four of them in my life (20+ years of sailing) and they show signs of wear long before breaking. Are you storing them in direct sunlight for days/weeks at a time?
Sunlight really deteriorates them quickly. Agreed, I've had one or two fail in 15 years and I have them on all my boats. I always tape the retainer and keep a spare in my boat box. @@LeeSideSailing
Thank you for the shout-out Lee! and thank you for all you do for the Sunfish class! I hope to see you on the race course in 2024! ❤⛵
Much delayed thank you but finally got to it:).
Thx Lee. “Be on the water More in 2024!”
Steve
Hope to see you soon Steve!
All the best for 2024, Lee!
Thank you and you too!
#10 is great advice!!
It really is! Deadlines to splash the boat work well!
Great video Lee - Happy New Year! No. 10 is the best advice for any sailor.
Thank you!! Happy new year!
Great vibe on the video Lee!
Thank you!!
New to sunfish sailing! I was lucky enough to be driving down a road in May and came across a guy putting his very nice conditioned sunfish out by the road for free! "he said the person who's supposed to get it will come along"....well I did! I'm the proud owner of a new sunfish! I've been following your channel now for some time and enjoy the videos, especially about some upgrades. I visited the Dinghy shop last week and got started on a few of your suggestions and purchased the Right On trailer based on your video. I'm very interested in the fall racing series they host and the Sea Cliff Frostbite series. I'm brand new to racing so to be safe and respectful to other sunfish racers. Is there a resource you can recommend to learn a few of the in's-and-out's. (rounding a marker, how to safely line up and start etc). I watched your intro video and it got me started. Looking forward to being on the water!!
I dont have videos in beginning racing, but here are some tips- we all been a beginner- 1. Dont hit another boat. 2. Have fun. 3. Watch what the good sailors do. 4. Being new, the good sailors can pull away from you pretty quickly so dont have an attitude of “i dont want to mess anyone up”. As a racer myself, if a beginner “messes me up”. That’s in me, because I should always be able to avoid trouble situations with a beginner. So. Have fun, fogure out the start sequence, ask questions, and enjoy the learning journey!
@@LeeSideSailing Thanks for your reply and advice. My plan is to kinda follow the pack and watch and learn. I'm excited to get my boat in the water. It's great to have your channel as a resource. Happy Sailing
At 2:01 on this video you mention a pulley with a jam cleat for the mainsail boom line... They ought to make that standard equipment! (Have it right behind the centerboard where the pulley used to be...) I would like to have a free hand when I'm sailing; This would make Me very happy!
In the older boats it was standard!
Happy new year and thanks for all your vids and tips! Can't wait to sail!
Happy New Year! And thanks! Sailing will come soon!
Happy New Year Lee!
Happy new Year!
Harken makes a “On Demand” Ratchet Block. It’s magic!
It is magic!
@@LeeSideSailing Lee I may have found an ‘01 very basic. If the hull and mast are good would it be a good value with trailer, dolly, new sail, fiberglass boards, and race upgrades. Would it be good id I’m in at $4200? Sounds like a lot to me.
Lee, Is there anything you can do to protect the dagger board if you unexpectedly hit shallow water or a deadhead in the water. Like an auto-retractable dagger? Or the dagger modified to protect it if you hit a hard object? Aside from just manually pulling it up.
Unfortunately no- I still hit things in the water
Hey Lee I’m working on it. See you on the water!
Scott’s “friend”. 😅
Lee! Great New 2024 Video. Q.) Mainsheet length - What do you recommend for Standard Length and what Mainsheet Length for the 2-1 Block Length?
Minimum 36’ and longer for 2:1, I head some like 42’. regular Mainsheet, 28-32’. Thank you and happy new year!
I asked around to more people and i am getting more opinins for a longer mainsheet--42-46’. For the 2-1.
You make an excellent point about starting the season early and getting the boat prepped and checked out even before the water gets warm. BTW off the top of your head, what gooseneck setting is best if the sailor is old, fat, and hates hiking-out? Only half-joking.
Thanks!! For most people, and under 14mph winds i say start at 15”…. Work your way back half inch at a time from there…. Most people can handle 15” under 11mph. But for old, fat and hates to hike- 15” at 4-11mph will give you enough power :).
Thanks! @@LeeSideSailing
Thank you. Out today in cold FL 60 degrees .......how long is your hiking stick?
The extension in the video is 30”, without the universal joint. I personally like 40”, which is what you see in the sailing parts of the video…. Many people who have used it feel it is very long….
Hi Lee. How did you get a Bonaire shirt? They are great mariners. I am from the neighbouring dutch island of Aruba
I sailed in Bonaire when they had the Sunfish World Chanpionships there a few years ago
I use a mast cleat for my halyard. Do you have to wrap it around the gooseneck to use as a downhaul? Can you sail without a downhaul?
You dont HAVE to, BUT, make sure the tail of the halyard goes from the mast cleat to the deck bulleyes fairlead and then deck cleat... this will ensure the rig stays with the boat in the event of a capsize. ...
From what I heard, they got rid of the handle on the daggerboard because some folks got their hand caught when someone pushed or stepped down in it
Not sure exactly why they changed out the handle, but i do know personally two people who got their fingers caught, one got broken…. It is when the stopper came off…. Make sure there is a stopper or with the new ones, a rope handle in place :).
Those hiking sticks are great, but that rubber connector wears out and breaks. I've replaced two in three years (Ronstan)
gotta have spares!
I’m would contact Ronstan, there is something wrong…. I have broken maybe four of them in my life (20+ years of sailing) and they show signs of wear long before breaking.
Are you storing them in direct sunlight for days/weeks at a time?
Sunlight really deteriorates them quickly. Agreed, I've had one or two fail in 15 years and I have them on all my boats. I always tape the retainer and keep a spare in my boat box. @@LeeSideSailing
Always kept in the garage. They tend to tear
I've seen the joint made with rope, and that's easily replaced with wear.