DaySailer.org Forum

well, after many lost auctions I finally won a DS on eBay
I will be picking up sail #14002 on Saturday in MA
According to the sail number it appears to be a 'rare' Sunfish Laser model built in 1992
The matrix listed on this site puts it to be about the 3rd one they produced
Never painted, and was sold to me in very good condition (by the description and photos)

It has a 2.5 HP Yamaha on the back
For me this is needed as there are a few bridges I might cross under and you must be under power when you do
I can push off and sail the Shrewsbury Bay from my home and might not leave that motor on there until I am more familiar with the boat
From what I read and remember these are fairly stable boats with corrections available to prevent capsize

Back in the 70's my family sailed an O'Day Mariner whilst our neighbors had a DS
This particular model has a closed cabin with about a 18"x24" sealable hatch cover
I think it will be perfect to give my GF her first taste of sailing and in a few years good to teach my nephews the sport

Is anyone familar with the Sunfish Laser DS 1 models?
Are any members of this forum sailing that model?
I have about a 200 mile trip to haul it back to it's new home port
Any tips on trailering these boats?

I am sure I will have lots of questions once my DS is home, but for now any comments on this particular model are welcome.

Did you pick up the boat? We took ours out for the first time on Saturday. I would definitely leave the motor on because some of those channels in the Shrewsbury are real narrow at low tide. We had to take one directly into the wind to get out of the launching area at Blackberry Bay and there was not really enough room to tack on both sides without hitting the mud on the sides.

Hi and thanks for your note
Yes I picked up the boat last Saturday
It is at a friends house this week in Middletown
I want to compound and wax the sides before I launch it
Was in great shape, but the keel was cracked open at the bottom
Looks like I am going to have to remove the keel this winter and glass it back up
Other than that the boat was in very good shape for a 13 year old
Trailered fine down from the MA border
the NYC traffic was a bit much on Saturday afternoon, but we made it back to NJ without incident
I hope to spash her on Sunday
Will likely lauch from the area near Monmouth Sailing Center
I am going to stop there this week and see what they will charge me to dry sail for the rest of the season
I could not get the mast up by myself (easy enough with two people) as the boom vang hardware prevented me from laying the mast down to get it into the tabernacle
I already broke the front stay turnbuckle as it was too tight and I turned it the wrong way and snaped the bolt

Like any fine lady she needs some polish now and again to look her best and will always cost me more than expected
See you out on the bay soon I hope -
Cheers, Neil

Congratulations on your new boat. The SLI Day Sailers have a well deserved reputation for being strong and fast. You have a winner. With TLC she will last you many many years....
Our fleet in Annapolis is always looking for good boats for prospective members. May I ask what you paid for your SLI, so that we may keep a sense for the current market?
Good sailing,

Jim
P.S.

I hope you will take the opportunity to join the Day Sailer Association, if you have not already done so. The Quarterly is a wonderful source of information on the boats from both cruising and racing perspectives.