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Old 12-05-2020, 09:03   #1
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which one to buy sunfish or aluma craft

Looking at getting an older used sail boat. there are a couple around me that are available.


This will be for me and my late teen early 20's kids to use on our small lake. We all are brand new to sailing. From what I have read these both a good boats to learn on.



both are complete.


1 is a

sunfish from 1970
another is a

aluma craft s-12. also from the 70's



I know the aluma craft is very heavy. which I though might make it more stable and less likely to tip over.


other then that does anyone have an opinion?


many thanks
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Old 12-05-2020, 09:13   #2
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Re: which one to buy sunfish or aluma craft

Sunfish! More fast, more fun! Don't worry about capsizing, once they get the hang of it, it won't be an issue.
I'd like to get one, or a Laser, for my kids!
Are those the only two options?
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Old 12-05-2020, 09:22   #3
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Re: which one to buy sunfish or aluma craft

Thanks for the reply.
those are the only 2 that I've found around me.



can 2 people fit on a sunfish, the aluma craft is wider and looks like more room for a passenger.
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Old 12-05-2020, 09:55   #4
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Re: which one to buy sunfish or aluma craft

We have a 1968 Alcort Sunfish, original condition with brass fittings and all (OK, I did replace one with a pulley.)




If nothing else, the Sunfish is ubiquitous. There are parts readily available, including inexpensive old parts and take-off upgrades. Used sails are easy to find and inexpensive.


Yes, you can fit two people in it, with feet in the pit. We throw a kid on the deck sometimes too.


Yes, it can flip. But not as easily as one might think- it's more scary than reality. Take one with no sail up and try to flip it, you'll see it's pretty stable. It actually takes a good breeze and crappy sailing to dump one.


When we also put a kid on deck the thing is like a submarine. It's heavy, it's slow, but there's no way it's going over, just too much weight down low.


The cockpit drains well. Plenty of room for a small cooler or bag.


In any sort of sea the person in front gets the spray. We have the splash guard which does stop a lot of normal waves.


Be careful, as the foam in the older boats is often waterlogged. That's a lot of water, and a lot of weight that will really SLLLLOOOWW you down. I'm serious, it's amazing how weight effects performance.


So yes, get the Sunfish. Or, if you want a bit more room for a full day of sailing a West Wight Potter or the like.
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Old 12-05-2020, 10:44   #5
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Re: which one to buy sunfish or aluma craft

Here is a picture of the sunfish. this one does not have a cockpit. it is just flat. maybe this is mis labeled as a sunfish.
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Old 12-05-2020, 10:54   #6
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Re: which one to buy sunfish or aluma craft

and here is the aluma craft. the seller said it is a butterfly design.
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Old 12-05-2020, 11:02   #7
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Re: which one to buy sunfish or aluma craft

I Learned to sail on a Sunfish, serious fun to had, that’s the way you should go imo.

Fair winds,
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Old 12-05-2020, 11:25   #8
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Re: which one to buy sunfish or aluma craft

I learned to sail on a Sailfish, Sunfish's little sister, that I built myself from a kit. Spent most of the summers in my high school years on that boat. Taught me most all I needed to know about how to sail any boat. Don't worry about tipping over, you will. No big thing to right them. I used to wait for storms to go out and sail with the sail in the water standing on the dagger board in the gusts. Sunfish has a foot well and designed for more than solo sailing.
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Old 12-05-2020, 11:40   #9
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Re: which one to buy sunfish or aluma craft

That is a sailfish. No well
I love sunfish but if there is no well is got to be uncomfortable with two people. Nothing wrong with a crab claw sail, lots of fun
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Old 12-05-2020, 12:00   #10
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Re: which one to buy sunfish or aluma craft

The original was the Sailfish, no footwell.

Then there was a Super Sailfish, a little bigger, and perhaps they developed it into the Sunfish with a foot well.
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Old 12-05-2020, 12:10   #11
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Re: which one to buy sunfish or aluma craft

Isn't a sunfish just a sail board like craft? Go for the alumacraft.
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Old 12-05-2020, 13:35   #12
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Re: which one to buy sunfish or aluma craft

so looks like I was wrong it is a sailfish not a sunfish
does that change any ones opinion?
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Old 12-05-2020, 15:10   #13
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Re: which one to buy sunfish or aluma craft

Can you ask for a trial sail and see what you think?

The older you get, that footwell of the Alumacraft would be awfully nice.

I'll bet the Sailfish sails better, but....

I had a friend who I think had one of these Alumacrafts, but this would be 55years ago and can't remember any critique of it.
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Old 12-05-2020, 15:15   #14
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Re: which one to buy sunfish or aluma craft

I like the Alumacraft better for 2-3 people, more room for elbows and knees.
Since they are both red that factors out of the equation...
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Old 13-05-2020, 05:35   #15
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Re: which one to buy sunfish or aluma craft

Quote:
Originally Posted by mrbouncyballs View Post
so looks like I was wrong it is a sailfish not a sunfish
does that change any ones opinion?





Yes. You want a footwell at least. Sitting on the flat surface of the sailfish will be very uncomfortable and wet.




I'm not sold on the Alumacraft. There are sunfish, laser, and other "tub" style boats I'd prefer.


Of course, it depends on (1) price point and (2) transportation.


Sunfish in my area are offered at stupid prices, starting at $1100 or so and going up. Everyone has one in the back yard, checks Craigs List or FB, and prices theirs over $1000, having no idea in what condition it is.


Mine was offered by a local Sunfish collector/ restorer, all original including sail, mahogany rudder & dagger board, and the foam was dry. He was asking a very reasonable $700 and I paid $500 and towed it back to port behind the inflatable.


How are you going to transport it, if at all? The Sunfish is a small boat until one throws it on top of a vehicle, then it get VERY big. But you can truck-top it; something you can't really do with a Laser or the tub boats. Food for thought.


Finally, an inexpensive Kayak dolly makes life a lot easier: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0082365AQ...osi&th=1&psc=1


Depending on the above (and probably other) parameters, you may want to look at the 420, which has lots of space, and is used in the Olympics. Most sell around $4000 but a quick search turned up this one https://www.sailboatlistings.com/view/65833
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