Sunfish Sailing Tips and Tricks | How to Tow A Sunfish on the Water

[@wadestinson4731]

Hi Lee, thanks for the tips on the Sunfish. I went sailing and I pulled up the center board for extra speed and it worked well. Keep up the videos, very helpful! Blessings.

[@LeeSideSailing]

Awesome! Keep having fun and I will keep making the videos.!

[@daftelf]

Old sunfish owner - 'trimming the mainsheet in front of the block? You have a block!? whoah....' #thingstoaddtomyboat :) Great tips Lee. Thanks

[@LeeSideSailing]

Thank you!!

[@Andy_XT]

Very useful and enjoyable video. Thank you, Lee! And... more videos like this, please 😀

[@LeeSideSailing]

Thanks Andy. I appreciate the comment!

[@sailingavocet]

These are all great tips, I hope they are useful to new sailors watching!

[@LeeSideSailing]

Thank you. !

[@bocaboy69]

I wish I could find videos like this for the snipe class sailboat- I purchased an older one of those - but finding it difficult to find starter videos. I do have a sunfish as well and its a great boat.

[@LeeSideSailing]

Thanks!! If you can get to a regatta and ask people things. I bet that would be very helpful! Thanks for watching!

[@jamesHadden-l6l]

Great vid I started on a Starfish back in 69 or so

[@LeeSideSailing]

Excellent!!!

[@swash1136]

Thanks Lee , your Videos are Great. Very Informative and well done. Keep "em coming !

[@LeeSideSailing]

Thank you. I appreciate the comment!

[@smkunder1]

You need to come to Michigan and give me some lessons. Very helpful videos

[@LeeSideSailing]

Thank you. :).

[@GrumpyLittleMan]

Lee, just stumbled on your channel and I can't stop watching. I'm so interested in learning and just now started looking at boats and contemplating taking lessons. Thanks for the content. Very informative.

[@LeeSideSailing]

Thanks Josh! Whether you Choose a Sunfish or huge boat, I always say, “ a boat is a boat”. They all have the same principles- I learned and still sail a Sunfish, but can and have sailed in much bigger boats. Go out there, take the lessons and enjoy the journey.

[@mygulfcoastgetawaytexas8574]

Thank you! Love the tips!

[@LeeSideSailing]

You’re welcome!

[@drjukebox3882]

You were sailing downwind in light air. As the wind speed increases you will need to move aft. Just as heeling to windward moves the center of effort above the centerline of the hull, as the wind pushes on the center of effort several feet above the waterline, it creates a moment by pushing forward, while the drag on hull pulling aft that tends to force the bow down. You need to compensate by moving your weight aft.

[@LeeSideSailing]

I agree... To be sitting on the aft edge of the cock pit, one would be in pretty heavy air. :). Thanks for the comment Dr.!

[@stevekellogg8518]

Could you, or have you, talked about or demonstrated how to launch from a public boat launch? It’s all I’ve got and that’s the most stressful part of my experience at the moment. I’m getting it, but feel like I’m trying to reinvent the wheel. Thanks Lee!!

[@LeeSideSailing]

Funny you mention that as i was thinking this was going to be my next video. Ill be launching this weekend from a ramp. And others too…. I will film and make a video aboit that asap. Thanks for the suggestion! Here are some tips- 1. Make sure you have a long enough bow line. 10-15 feet is plenty and dont need for it to be thick- as a floating sunfish is light. 2. Scout out the ramp. May be slippery, may be concrete- Beware of wood!!! If algae grows on it- ca. be more slippery than ice- ive seen people break bones falling in a slippery ramp. Proceed with caution. Once getting the boat im the water- pull it to a leeward side of the dock…. Hold the bow line and let float away from dock. You can pull it in when needed. 4. Make sure MaIN sheet is able to run free!!! If its cleated or stuck around anything the boat may start to sail. Make sure the sail can move freely Once that is done cleat the boat to a cleat-. Move your trailer to its parking space and raise your sail if you have not yet. And go sailing!! AFyer sailing you may not be able to approach the same area as launching due to wind shifts- Always land to the leeward side of a dock. Hope this helps!!

[@gagecope8087]

Youre almost to 1000 dont give up

[@LeeSideSailing]

Just getting started!! 😀

[@robertwinston810]

What is the clear spiral cord? Are you tethered to the boat with that? Your videos are well produced, very informative, and entertaining. ThankYou!

[@LeeSideSailing]

Thank you. That coiled cord is for my cell phone. :)

[@scottpowell7713]

I'm an older guy (53) who is 240 lbs......love my phantom'(sunfish copy) and the joy that I get from just a lazy sweet cruise. there are times where I have had to release the tiller to reach (what ever has come loose or needs attention at the front of the boat) and at the slow speeds that I sail at, I am not afraid to do so...but do you have any tips on how i can center the rudder and make it stay there while I fix a sheet or pull in a line? this would only be for a few seconds..(perhaps the sail is dropping, or the bow line is trailing etc.) thanks for any and all ideas. scott

[@LeeSideSailing]

Not older guy!! That’s adolescence when it comes to sailing! As far as fixing it, I would not fix it and make sure the tiller is pushed towards the same said as the sail lies. As the sail is raised the boat will the center out or you will be safely luffing (make sure the main sheet is loose). :). Centering it will start sailing faster as you do what you need to do and possibly head down. Which is what you Don’t want to do. :). Hope this helps. :)

[@scottpowell7713]

got it! had not given a thought of what if " i went over and the boat stays up right with a straight rudder. thanks!

[@LeeSideSailing]

You’re welcome!

[@annbenson9760]

Just found you on you tube. Wonderful videos! Subscribed too. I’ve been looking all over for a used sunfish. I’ve looked at Craigslist and many marinas to no avail. Do you have any other ideas of where to look? Northern Michigan.

[@LeeSideSailing]

Facebook market place is a great place. Also if there are any boat clubs or yacht clubs. Many times they have billeting boards with used boats. Also, near lakes they are sometimes boats just laying around. I now of one guy who just asked if he was willing to sell the boat- six hundred dollars later….

[@catherinefaulk2833]

Hi Lee - my son is sailing sunfish - he is 14 but a big kid - 6' and 180 pounds. I mention this because he cannot seem to stop capsizing. I am not sure if it is because of his size or something else. Any tips on how to keep your sunfish from capsizing? Thank you - great videos

[@LeeSideSailing]

Its not his size as the Sunfish is good for people from young to old - 120-250lbs. Im 6’ and 190. Maybe he likes capsizing? There are many ways to not capsize, it really depends why is he capsizing? Can you tell me if its in a jibe, is the boom getting caught in his life jacket, does he cleat the main sheet? One common denominator to capsizing is that the sail gets full or wind, the boat tips and the sail doesn’t get eased (by letting the sail out)- So- if you’re not sure if you will capsize ease the main sheet and the boat should flatten out…. But if you are sailing with the sail already out a lot…. You may have to hike the boat, after easing the sheet- (head down away from the wind). Then trim back in- there is the saying Ease- hike - trim. This can be done in many points of sail when getting over powered. Hope this helps. Let me know if he knows when he capsizes and then we can figure it out…

[@chrisknoche3550]

I'm wanting to put a wind vain on my Sunfish. I was thinking about placing it on the mast between the deck and boom.(don't have to look up) Looking at some online, some of them say "won't get caught by mainsheet". If the mainsheet goes from the traveler, up to the boom and across the boom down to the cockpit, how could the mainsheet catch the wind vain? Do you have an opinion on wind vains in general? What wind vain do you recommend? I'm new to the Sunfish and have only sailed it twice since getting it. I've been practicing taching. I'd like to concentrate on learning taching correctly without determining wind direction by waves, trees, feel, etc.

[@LeeSideSailing]

Hi Chris. I agree with you. In the position you are describing the Mainsheet would not catch. If you are speaking of the “c-vane”. It’s not so much the position of the wind vane but the design of the vane itself…. The arrow is enclosed by the metal frame acting as a cage. Now when sailing close to other boats, it IS possible to catch someone else’s Mainsheet and destroy the wind vane. :). Hope this helps.

[@blippityblop2012]

As a beginner, is it okay to keep the daggerboard down the entire time just so I can get comfortable? I turtled twice today and it was a disaster.

[@LeeSideSailing]

Absolutely!!! Keep it down as much as you want:)

[@blippityblop2012]

@@LeeSideSailing Great, thank you! Also, the second time I turtled the daggerboard came out and I was stuck in the middle of the lake (lol, embarrassing but also a good learning experience). Do you recommend anything to prevent turtling that isn’t crazy expensive?

[@elijahmerrill9045]

Can we talk gooseneck position? I feel weather helm still, and my gooseneck is way further back than I see in most videos. In this video, is the light wind the reason for the goosenecks being set so far forward on the lower spar? Am I too sensitive to weather helm?

[@LeeSideSailing]

Swept back rudder. On a sunfish. There is always some weather helm. It’s very difficult to get neutral helm unless you hike hard to weather. For most people. 15-16 inches will be balanced with some helm still. It is not uncommon for people to sail at 16-18.

[@brucelevy5903]

Thank you for your videos. I am just getting back into the class. Can you tell me what the best daggerboard is for racing? Thank you.

[@LeeSideSailing]

Most people would say The ones that are supplied now, the FRP glass boards have a good shape. Some people like the glass boards with the handle... The wood boards are not really raced anymore. Thanks for the comment, great that you’re back!

[@andrewjacoby4475]

The principles that apply to a Sunfish apply to other boaters too. I am looking for a dinghy with more freeboard because of the alligators.

[@LeeSideSailing]

Alligators? Well that’s one I don’t hear everyday. :)

[@craigobara1092]

@@LeeSideSailing While college racing many years ago at University of Florida, in Sunfish no less, we had to be careful of the gators in the lake. Saw one while we were there. Fortunately winds were mild so no chance really of capsizing.

[@andrewjacoby4475]

@@craigobara1092 When the air is light the Gators come out, when it is windy Gators aren't hunting.

[@LeeSideSailing]

This alligator info is great!

[@tonyold8755]

You are awesome!

[@LeeSideSailing]

Thanks i appreciate it :)

[@garycavenaugh4781]

Great channel Lee , doing my best to let other sailors in this area know about your channel , I’ve learned a great deal about tweaking the sunfish. Even though I’ve been sailing for years I’ve just recently started sailing sunfishes . What do you think about a jens and what are it’s advantages

[@LeeSideSailing]

The Jens is a great tool In ones tool box, especially if you may be in the smaller size. Not always needed.

[@LeeSideSailing]

Advantages for most: depowers the sail and depending on where it is rigged on the upper spar will determine the depowering action. Disadvantage: there is a learning curve, since one size doesn’t fit all. There also may be a need for an extra line, or an extra long halyard. Also if not rigged well, it can slowly fall to the deck... but once you learn how to rig it. It works well. If you don’t go out in heavier conditions which you are constantly fighting the boat... then the Jens is secondary. In my opinion an adjustable gooseneck is a must have and can be adjusted to depowering the boat enough in most situations. Also a hiking strap is a great help. If you have those, but don’t have an outhaul... I would invest in that and a Cunningham, which will let the sailor adjust the fine points of the sail to the conditions. Hope this helps. :).

[@paloureiro]

Is it really doable to raise the sail on the water or is only for pros?

[@LeeSideSailing]

It’s done all the time. If you have a little balance and can crawl up in front of the splash guard then everything else is relatively easy. If it’s blowing mid teens and up and waves it gets harder.

[@paloureiro]

@@LeeSideSailing , thank you!

[@LeeSideSailing]

Please note that when one lifts their sail on the water. Make sure you won’t drift into a dock or rocks, etc

[@paloureiro]

@@LeeSideSailing , yes, I'm aware and that's exactly what I find difficult: how to control the boat while I'm hoisting the sail.

[@LeeSideSailing]

If you let the sail loose and the main sheet loose, the boat will not sail. And will drift slowly with the wind and current.

[@cloudbuster77]

sailed these in the 80s as a teen. if a gust of wind from different direction suddenly hits the sail often I'd tip over or the boom would swing around fast and smack my head hard giving me concussions. wear helmet when sailing these death traps and a wet or dry suit if sailing in cold water!

[@LeeSideSailing]

Sounds like you used to sail in Crazy conditions!

[@cloudbuster77]

@@LeeSideSailing no, just poor sailor

[@LeeSideSailing]

Hehe. :)