Sunfish Sailing in Heavy Winds

Went down to New Bern as Tropical Storm Hermine left the area. Winds were 20-25 with gusts up to 35mph. When I turtled was probably a 35mph gust.
Minute 3:15-4:15 was on of the best reaches of the day!
Used a mini fish sail on a full sunfish just for less sail area and easier control given the wind.

[@finaboykm]

If you ever wanted great ab workout, hop into a sunfish or sailfish on a insanely windy day. And don’t forget to use the dagger board when you turtle. Best beginner sailboat ever…

[@prestonh2569]

You're right about that! I actually bought a Laser 2 over the winter. Excited to try it out!

[@erikanderson4605]

What's with your mainsheet?

[@toddmulligan2609]

combo sheet/ trapeeze line!

[@humbertocares8385]

Fantastic wind with calm water... exellent, 5:00 LoL !

[@halibut1249]

This came up on my utube list. Great little vid on sailing and it's refreshing to see somebody (else) turtle!! LOL.

[@Prototheria]

I know this is a seven year old video, so I dunno if you still have the boat, but what I found with the Sunfish in heavy air was that if you sit aft more than you'd normally sit, it won't weather helm as much.

[@billbogg3857]

He would find it much easier if the main sheet was not led down from the boom but up from a block(pulley) on the floor. He looks very uncomfortable,by using toe straps he could get his weight further outboard and be in a more comfortable sitting position.

[@mheermance]

You're braver than me, and I've turtled in much lower winds.

[@Flightfest900]

what happend to the main sheet!

[@dianabenobo]

Do you ever dream about hooking into the boom like a wind surfer and standing up on the rail?

[@thomaslamb8337]

Yes I did and I rigged a jibb on it and nose dived the and flipped it end over end ending our day and being towed in😢

[@davidelliott5265]

It is a an early1960s Sunfish hull and a Minifish sail.

[@cometjockeydave4041]

Those Sunfish are tons of fun. Great video.

[@AdventuresInReach]

I love them. Day sail. Take a passenger. Camp with it...

[@danieldesimonedanny1827]

O yeah,, I'd be passing power boats on a down wind reach. My only gripe is its a wet boat in rough water.

[@thomaslamb8337]

Me too but I love driving the boat through 6ft or 8ft waves trying to throw me off the boat 😂❤nice to be young again, I'm 73😮

[@paulyandle1286]

Me in the 70's. Had to re-enforce the tiller brackets to stop em from bending. Most fun sailing, next to windsurfing.

[@thomaslamb8337]

I had reinforce the transom mount and changed over to a fiber plastic tiller and center board to handle the stress it is fun 😀

[@hawaiisurfski3602]

Im 6’4” and a good 225 and love to sail my wife’s uncle’s MiniFish on Mason Lake, Washington 😊

[@earlgerloff8710]

It's NOT a sunfish...

[@Ashmodai]

Ehm... It is. He's just using a smaller sail...

[@thomaslamb8337]

Yes it is a 60s sunfish replacing the 50s wooden sailfish I grew up sailing on lake erie.

[@MachTuck]

Awesome sailing man! looks like a strong and steady wind. I have a Dolphin SR, lots of fun.

[@PaddlingIowa]

What a ride! Minifish sail? I like the multiple camera views, especially the lower spar view, very cool!

[@enricofumi8072]

sunfish is great fun

[@hssurgan]

Great video bud! I would suggest using the full size sail with a Jens rig and a mainsheet block. And lower your gooseneck. Then just pitchpole yourself into the next county lol.

[@prestonh2569]

ah yes I should of thought of that! lowering the sail with the Jens rig would of helped the heeling as well.

[@humblelongboards]

Keep that hull flat brotha... you'll plane much faster

[@ericgfx01]

reminds me I need to make a tiller extension. Great vid, way to save the daggerboard at the end there.

[@AdventuresInReach]

I personally tie my daggerboard onto a small cleat so it won't be lost.

[@thomaslamb8337]

I modified the tiller with a aluminum tellascopit for leanth

[@g.gordonwoody645]

Turns your butt into raw hamburger. Am I right?

[@AdventuresInReach]

They do after a couple hours anyway.

[@thomaslamb8337]

They sure do especially when I'm wearing my micro speedo but I'm am burnt as a biscuits when I get back to the ⛱️

[@peterstanton1580]

Get some hiking straps so U do dip the boom

[@toddmulligan2609]

YA BUDDY GET SOME

[@olivei2484]

Wheeeee! Did great!

[@christopherwertz4471]

Tackle!

[@pavelm6436]

Cool!

[@dustinyeilding6106]

Great video

[@Guy-ky9mc]

I'm from New Bern! I recognized the Neuse river instantly. Exactly where I learned to sail, on the same type of boat. I'm in Nashville TN now. Really cool.

[@Guy-ky9mc]

another thing - I've heard of bull shark sightings out there so be careful! My uncle crossed the river on a surfboard and was followed right up to the shore. Although.. We went swimming out there (Green Springs) for 15+ years and never saw one or heard of any attacks.

[@prestonh2569]

I love this area of the river. its very open downstream which allows the afternoon winds to really build up strength and push some decent waves far up into the river! I grew up going to New Bern to sail. I have always heard about bull sharks too but I have never seen one or heard of a sighting. Now I have caught stingray before and seen porpoise swimming upriver and even a jellyfish! Given those ocean going creatures I'm sure there are sharks out there.

[@seanmccambridge]

Graham Hart Your uncle’s telling you a story, lol