How to Rig A Racing Sunfish Sailboat | Sunfish Sailing

[@glennesbit5069]

Just discovered this channel. As a new sailor/racer I really appreciate these detailed descriptions Lee. Thank you!

[@LeeSideSailing]

Thanks Glen! I am glad you are getting value from the videos! :)

[@S2Wiley]

Rubber joint tiller extension and bungee retainer (acts like an autopilot), extra hiking straps each side (plus center), daggerboard frictionator (does same thing as the stupid bungee without deck clutter - self locks for capsize righting), carbon fiber foam daggerboard/rudder (2 cuts - Pointer blade and weedblade/swept) with stainless edges, custom outhaul, Ronstan 4:1 cunningham, quickvang, main hangers/runners, ratchet blocks (turn off the ratchet when sneaking up on competition).... and I also have a custom taller flextop mast and squaretop full batten wishbone boom (out of class - sloop vs. lateen) rocket sled rigging that is essentially a windsurfing WAVE cut sail for wagers with "non-believers". Ever blown past a Hobie or windsurfer on your Sunfish? Priceless....

[@yvanh-georgesalingery7167]

Hello Lee , could you please make a video explaining which one is better between sails rings ou sails ties for attaching the sails to the booms ? Many thanks, Yvanh

[@LeeSideSailing]

Hi Yvanh- Most racers prefer sail ties. However, if the sail ties aren’t tied well and consistent the sail can develop is bad shape, and then at that point it would be better with sail clips. If sailing recreationally there’s nothing wrong woth clips. Hope this helps :).

[@richardkennedy3239]

Hi Lee, have you done a hiking strap installation video?

[@LeeSideSailing]

I have not….. yet!

[@THB406]

Hi Lee, I just found your channel...very informative. I'm a new sailer and resurrecting a Phantom 14 (essentially a larger sunfish). I would be very interested in a video or additional details on how you set up your Cunningham, outhaul and vang. I haven't yet gone through your library of videos...hoping you have one on your personal boat set up. Thanks for the great info.

[@LeeSideSailing]

Thanks Dan! I play to do those videos you asked for soon.

[@darrinmartin5731]

It would be great for you to do a video on the rigging and use of the cunningham

[@LeeSideSailing]

Thanks for the comment. That’s subject Is on my list.

[@chrisknoche3550]

I'd love to see a video on outhaul and Cunningham. I don't understand sail shape or how it's done.

[@LeeSideSailing]

I hope to make a video on that soon!

[@Happ465]

Lee where would I find the specs on the different lines (size length per application) and size of the Ratchet block? Are there any drawings that can be downloaded on how to rig the Outhaul, Cunningham, Vang, board retention line? I have seen many of your videos unfortunately I am a visual person so I don’t see how things are rigged. I’m a very accomplished racer but hung up my tiller and have been sailing Spritsail for the past 5 years. My last race regatta was the US Multihull Championships in a Weta. I’m looking for a good boat now. I’m in NC

[@LeeSideSailing]

Ill get back to you on this

[@kenkolkebeck1867]

Very informative.

[@LeeSideSailing]

Glad you think so!

[@tanjaschoenbrod6984]

Another great video! I've made many of your upgrades and am having a blast. Unfortunately my boat is taking on water despite recent fiberglass repairs. You mentioned a test to check for leaks. Would you please elaborate? I have access ports and keep bailing her out, but I need some help!! THX

[@LeeSideSailing]

Hi Tania- good to hear you are enjoying the boat. To do a leak test. (There are videos on how to) have a bucket of soapy water. And some sort of air pump - a compressor works best- Cover the boat with sudsy water. All over the splash rail, centerboard trunk, mast step seams, inspection ports Etc. (Make sure inspection ports are shut closed. then blow air into the drain plug on the top side of biat. HINT: do NOT press the air hose tightly in the drain hole. Hold it a few millimeter away. : if there is a tight seal, you may “inflate the boat” like a tire and cause some internal foam blocks to unseal as the hull inflates. Look for soap bubbles: That’s where leaks are. Helps to have two people. One to put air in hull, the other people to look for bubbles. Some bubbles may be really small. Also soap the bottom of the boat too. Hope this helps.

[@tanjaschoenbrod6984]

@@LeeSideSailing Thank you 🙏 I’ll give it a shot!

[@davidforrest937]

At 7:20 -- 6-7 feet of bungee a few millimeter thick for a daggerboard retaining system, tied through the tack as a Jibe Control Strap. My 1/4" (6mm) bungee seems a little thicker than you use. How many is a few?

[@LeeSideSailing]

About 3-4 mm.

[@fabriceroustan1291]

Hello Lee, many thanks for your valuable tips !!! There is no much information available related to the Sunfish over here in France. A question for you : I have purchased the "Racing" version of the Sunfish new in 2008. Does that mean that I have the racing daggerboard that you have shown on your video or do I need to purchase one ? If you can tell me how long is the racing daggerboard I can compare vs mine. Thanks !!!

[@LeeSideSailing]

Most likely it is the racing version. There have been a few modern types. If its a fiberglass or FRP board or plastic- that is a racing board. . (Especially if it has a sunfish class sticker on it). The older racing boards that are still competitive have built in handles. The newer ones do not. No one competes with a wooden board anymore. Hope this helps.

[@Yeaitstemp]

Where is best place to buy sunfish parts I'm down grading have to move off ocean to mountains but I have a huge lake with a sunfish league

[@LeeSideSailing]

I get my parts locally at the Dinghy Shop, they also have online Lots of people use Sunfish Direct.com and intensity Also Vela sails Plus others Those I just mentioned should be able to help you with all your sunfish needs

[@Yeaitstemp]

@@LeeSideSailing thankyou yea its alot different I learned on a 34 ft sailboat and been living on a 28 ft oday and sailing for last 2 years these small boats are way different but are super fun

[@LeeSideSailing]

It’s great to have experiences on small and big boats you have the best of all worlds :) Thank you

[@Yeaitstemp]

@@LeeSideSailing I want to install a cleat on mast and I see a line going to the tack in your vids is that a preventer

[@LeeSideSailing]

Ahhh no not a preventer It’s a bungee cord, the retains and is tied to my dagger board Helps to hold it up and if capsize it will not float away

[@sbarronmd]

i read this as how to rig a sunfish race

[@LeeSideSailing]

Hahaha.