Buying a Used Sunfish Sailboat: Know The Ins and Outs Before Sailing Away
7452
Recreation & Sports > Sailing
Mar 1, 2007
David Dunlap
Buying a Used Sunfish Sailboat: Know The Ins and Outs Before Sailing Away
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.
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.
Article Source: http://www.articlerich.com
David is the founder and owner of multiple online boating and sailing resources. For more information on yachts, sailboats or other sailing topics, feel free to visit theoceansailingguide.com
Write a Review
Add to My Favorite
Refer it to Friend
Report Article
Other links owned by this user
There are a number of business web hosting vices over the internet. It is important to choose a business web hosting vice that caters to your needs. Do you require a business web hosting that is a dedicated ver, a managed ver, or a shared
Category:
If viewing and making landscape more beautiful is a passion for you, raer an a hobby, en you may want to consider starting your own landscape service. There are many people out ere who want a beautiful lawn but don't have e time, energy, or
Category:
Web hosting in Mexico, just like in any other country, offers a multitude of features to the web hosting Mexico user. For those who are based in Mexico, it is important to take advantage of web hosting Mexico services near you. Since a web hosting
Category:
If you enjoy making your yard as beautiful as it can be or if you own a landscaping service, you may want to consider investing in landscape software. What is landscape software? Landscape software allows you to come up with
Category:
If sailing?s your thing, just because you?re single doesn?t mean you have to miss out on some of the world?s greatest excursions! You can book a cruise with an agency or a cruise ship, which organizes all the activities, on-board meals, and other
Category:
Reseller web hosting is a web hosting service that re-bundles services available from real hosts or primary s. Reseller web hosting could be an individual or small business that makes use of the bandwidth and web servers of a higher tier
Category:
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
Category:
An estimated eight out of ten people in the United States will injure their back at some point during their lives. Few of these problems will require extended treatment, but persistent back problems and back pain can still be very uncomfortable and
Category:
ASP web hosting enables the company to create a customized web solution using the Active Server Pages (ASP) technology. Active Server Pages (ASP) is defined as a specification for a web page with .ASP extension that uses ActiveX scripting which could be
Category:
Landscaping is a wonderful pastime enjoyed by many. It provides a natural beauty and needs no ornaments or other attractive items to help achieve its magnificence. What it does need, however, is a little TLC from you and great ideas to keep the
Category:
A website is an invaluable tool for your business. It provides a source of contact between you, the customers, the employees and the business. That is why putting up your website with a reliable web hosting company is such an important
Category:
Other links at Recreation & Sports > Sailing
Sailing is unique. The aptitude to use the wind, seamanship and routing ability to cross open waters, free from the sound of motors and the pressure of daily life, makes sailing one of the most satisfying and relaxing activities you can do. Sailing is
Category:
Spain is part of the European Union and all EU and Amerin nationals n visit the country for a period of no longer than 90 days solely with a passport. EU national n apply for a residency permit if they wish to extend their stay. Non EU nationals
Category:
If sailing?s your thing, just because you?re single doesn?t mean you have to miss out on some of the world?s greatest excursions! You can book a cruise with an agency or a cruise ship, which organizes all the activities, on-board meals, and other
Category:
For many years, the stereotype persisted that sailing was primarily the province of young, hearty men with large, tattooed biceps. However, in recent years, the demographic of who enjoys sailing has me much more diverse. Sailing is
Category:
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
Category:
Site Sponsor
Directory Statistics
Articles: 68214
Categories: 501
Yahoo Entertainment
