As anyone who's ever bought a used car knows, you have to approach the project armed with your own knowledge before you even set foot on the lot. In this situation, being uninformed is tantamount to being taken to the cleaners.
The same goes for buying a sailboat. And, like automobiles, no sailboat is the same, so you should know the basics (and some particulars, as well) about the overall condition of the Sunfish sailboat you have your eye on.
The first question should always be, of course, how much cash are you willing to part with? If you plan on upgrading a used Sunfish, that alone can cost from $550 to $750 or more, depending on whether you want to use it to race. Prices also vary by location and supply; there's no "set" price for a used Sunfish sailboat.
Then, where do you find a good used boat? Some people prefer to place their own ads (either in local newspapers or on the Internet) as opposed to responding to those already published. Many people have used Sunfish sailboats in pretty good condition but just haven't thought of placing an ad for it. Also, check out local dealers, particularly if you're buying out of season or if the outfit isn't a Sunfish dealer. Also, knowing that sailboats go for less in winter and fall will put you ahead of the game.
Some obvious things that people often forget to look for are: age of the boat, which can be determined by checking the rudder, gunwales, or the serial number, if you don't know the actual age; the weight of the hull, which should be between 115 and 130 pounds, and the resistance or lack thereof ? watch out for a hull that's too flexible.
Also, check the mast step and daggerboard trunk for hairline cracks or holes, and the condition of the bailer and storage compartment. And, the cockpit rim may be hiding some damage.
Other places to look for potential deal-breakers:
Signs of moisture in ports or drains.
Nicks or dents in the blades; splits and cracks in wooden blades.
Rudder and tiller cracks, corrosion, or pitting.
Dents or bends in the mast, near the tube.
Corrosion in the gaff and boom.
Holes or bad seams in the sail.
Never let the seller think you know as much as you do, bring plenty of cash just in case, and you'll find a good deal on a used Sunfish sailboat.
David Dunlap is the owner and founder of All About Sailboats and The Ocean Sailing Guide, two online resources for every sailing enthusiast. For sailing information and resources, including boat insurance and sailing charters, visit http://allaboutsailboats.com or http://theoceansailingguide.com
Comprising of around 50 islands (750 if you count the... Read More
If eating fine food is your pleasure, a cruise vacation... Read More
Cruises are a fun opportunity to dress up and look... Read More
Yacht racing, though it may seem like "a breeze" to... Read More
A great addition to cleaning boats in a marina will... Read More
Just think of it, the world of opulence and leisure:... Read More
Sometimes it can be difficult to round up the old... Read More
For centuries, the Nile River has been at the center... Read More
If you own a boat maintenance business you need to... Read More
The world is blessed with wonderful beautiful sandy tropical beaches.... Read More
History, wine, serene beauty, dramatic people and stunning views -... Read More
As anyone who's ever bought a used car knows, you... Read More
Early summertime is the time of year, when boat owners... Read More
The Alaska cruise is a major attraction drawing vacationers with... Read More
1. If you're 55 or older, you can get senior... Read More
Some people step onto a boat and are straight at... Read More
Holland America Cruise Lines has initiated a program of up-scaling... Read More
The state of Florida is filled with lakes, swamps and... Read More
It is often recommended that you do not use any... Read More
Imagine a cruise line where choices include ships with golf... Read More
Gorgeous, acrobatic, and lit-up, Sailfish rank as the # 1... Read More
Every cruise vacation offers passengers a luxurious cruising experience. Some... Read More
Are you planning to take a cruise- tour vacation to... Read More
A great cruise is much more than a journey. Blending... Read More
The golden age of transatlantic ocean shipping and travel began... Read More
Why is it, that when you are looking to buy... Read More
Alaska is one of the world's great cruise destinations, particularly... Read More
Of the six states that comprise our country's quaint New... Read More
In the time that has followed since the tragic events... Read More
Many cruise ships today have standard cabins of similar size... Read More
Experiencing the magic of Disney at Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney... Read More
So you are in the pressure washer business and you... Read More
Have you considered taking a cruise vacation but just aren't... Read More
A great addition to cleaning boats in a marina will... Read More
With so many honeymoon cruise packages to choose from, it... Read More
You can watch movies about it, you can hear about... Read More
Well my sister in law is in town this week... Read More
The drug smugglers have ultra fast boats, skimmer craft and... Read More
1. If you're 55 or older, you can get senior... Read More
This year more than 10.5 million people will go on... Read More
Just think of it, the world of opulence and leisure:... Read More
A submarine can move faster thru the water if the... Read More
A web site dedicated to the writings of the sea,... Read More
An Amazon cruise is the ultimate jungle adventure. From the... Read More
We were on the Radiance of the Seas for the... Read More
"Whether you boat on fresh water or on the ocean,... Read More
Good quality deck hardware of stainless steel or chrome is... Read More
Deaf and hearing impaired individuals are no different from anyone... Read More
What could be more enjoyable than relaxing by a pool... Read More
Robotic Underwater ship cleaning robotic unit, the M3500 Robotic System... Read More
New Zealand is a country guaranteed to surprise. Emerald green... Read More
"If you build it, they will come."That advice, which prompted... Read More
Inflatable boats such as inflatable kayaks, inflatable catamarans, and inflatable... Read More
The magnificent Caribbean Princess ship is the new queen of... Read More
When to GoThe sailing season in Greece lasts from March... Read More
For some, the ideal cruise consists of a lounge chair,... Read More
Swimming is noted in many of the classics as relating... Read More
Radisson cruises come under the flagship of six star luxury... Read More
Sometimes it can be difficult to round up the old... Read More
When was the last time you saw an eagle descend... Read More
At just twenty-one square miles in size, the island of... Read More
There, you have just got a boat. A nice new... Read More
Situated in the country of Panama in Central America is... Read More
How do you clean the hull on a boat when... Read More
The kids are grown and gone, the mortgage is paid... Read More
A classic Mediterranean cruise visits major port cities located on... Read More
Cruising & Sailing |