This is due, in no small part, to its simplicity of design and ease of use. The boat was designed to be operated by a single-user, but most can accommodate up to three people.

The Sunfish is often the sailboat of choice used to teach beginning sailing. The Sunfish has become such a mainstay of American sailing that the boat was inducted into the American Sailboat Hall of Fame in 1995. Because of its prolific use, there are quite a few used Sunfish boats to be had online through various auction sites. But, what do you look for when buying a used Sunfish? How do you know if you're getting a good deal on a quality boat?

PURPOSE

First, you need to decide what your purpose will be for the boat. Will you use it for day sailing or are you interested in racing? These distinctions can be important. If you'll be racing your Sunfish, you'll want to make sure the boat you purchase already has a racing board and a racing sail. These two items can set you back quite a bit, so you'll want to make sure your boat comes with these two items already. Plus, if your purpose is for day sailing, you won't need to pay the extra price that's likely to be charged for a boat that's already outfitted with these things. So, before you begin your search for your Sunfish, you'll need to determine what you want to do with it.

PRICE & SHIPPING

Second, you need to determine what your budget will be for your new sailboat. A new Sunfish will cost between $3,600 and $4,400 (depending on the type of sail you select, and whether or not you order it with a dolly-style trailer and cover). However, a used Sunfish will cost much less -- often as little as $500 or so. There is more than simply the cost of the boat to consider, though, when looking at price. If you're planning to make your purchase through an online auction, you'll certainly need to consider the cost of transportation if the boat doesn't come with a trailer (or you don't have one that will work). Another option is shipping your auction purchase.

Coming in at around 130 pounds, the Sunfish is suitable for freight shipping. We've used companies like UShip.com which has shipped one of our Sunfish boats 900 miles for around $300. If you get a good price on your sailboat and find inexpensive shipping, you can end up with a great boat for a real bargain.

VISUAL INSPECTION

When buying your boat online, you generally won't be able to personally inspect the boat, so you'll need to make sure the seller provides a sufficient number of pictures for you to ascertain its condition. Make sure they provide several pictures of the hull. Look closely for cracks or holes.

Scratches are okay, but can be a sign of rough use. If the hull has inspection hatches, ask the seller for pictures to verify it's dry in there. Ask the seller for an accurate weight of the hull. This is for several reasons. First, if you plan to ship it, you'll need to know how much it weighs.

Secondly, if it weighs heavy (much over 130 pounds or so) you'll know that it's taken on water.

If that's the case, it's one auction to pass on.

Even if you aren't an experienced sailor, you can visually inspect the sail to make sure it's in good condition - with no rips, tears, mold, mildew, or other stains. There should be photos of every part of the sail in detail to make sure it's acceptable. Look for any damage on the spar, rudder or daggerboard. If you have any questions at all about the condition of any part of the boat, clarify it with the seller and ask for additional pictures.

PLACING YOUR BID

Once you're satisfied with the condition of the boat being offered, the next step is to check out the references of the seller to make sure they have a good reputation. Most auction websites allow buyers to leave some sort of satisfaction rating for the seller. So, if a seller has had satisfied buyers in the past, the likelihood they will follow through with your transaction is very good. When placing your bid, you will be prompted to enter the highest amount you would be willing to pay for the item. Really spend some time and consider the highest price you would be willing to pay for the boat. Enter that amount when you place your initial bid. Then walk away. Don't babysit your auction. Don't get caught up in a bidding war with another buyer. If you do, it's possible you could end up bidding a lot more than you really want to pay for the boat.

PAYING FOR YOUR BOAT

Also pay for your boat using a method that will leave you with some recourse in the event the boat isn't correctly represented by the seller. The best way to protect yourself is to pay with PayPal or with a credit card. If there's a problem with the transaction, you will have some recourse. You might even consider using an escrow company (such as escrow.com) to handle the transaction - especially if you are having your boat shipped. Never pay via an instant money forwarding service or a money order. If things are not as you were promised (and as photos represented), you will have a difficult time finding a remedy if the seller isn't cooperative.

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CONCLUSION

There's no reason to spend full price for a Sunfish sailboat when so many good quality used ones are available. Even if you have to pay for shipping, you can still get a quality boat for a fraction of the cost of a new one. Just use good judgment, ask a lot of questions, and don't be in a rush. Buying a used Sunfish can be a bit like fishing -- it's all about patience. So, if you bide your time and wait for the right boat to come along, you will be the owner of a great used Sunfish before you know it.

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]]>http://voyagersupply.com/how-to-buy-sunfish-sailing-dinghys-prams/feed/0 http://voyagersupply.com/stamas-yachts-boats-you-can-depend-upon/ http://voyagersupply.com/stamas-yachts-boats-you-can-depend-upon/#comments Fri, 06 Aug 2010 10:57:14 +0000 Captain http://voyagersupply.com/?p=716

AMF Sunfish Sailboat Excellent Condition Sail Boat    US $1,200.00

Built in Florida With Pride

Every once in a while, someone simply gets it. Tough to define. Easy to identify. Often the result of a lifetime of experience.

As young boys, Nick and Pete Stamas learned boat building from Greek craftsman in Tarpon Springs, on Florida’s Gulf coast.These skilled men built strong, seaworthy vessels based on proven designs that dated back hundreds of years. It was in this unique environment that the Stamas brothers began building their own boats. In the early years, they built commercial and deep sea charter fishing boats that still sail out of Tarpon Springs. After World WarII, the brothers started building boats in earnest.

By the late 1950’s, Pete and Nick recognized the potential of a then controversial material. Even though they loved traditional  woodworking techniques, the Stamas brothers pioneered the use of fiberglass in boat construction. Stamas Yacht was among the first to capitalize on the design and structural possibilities of this new material. They switched completely from wood to fiberglass in 1959.

During the 1960’s Stamas continued to innovate and raise the standards of quality boat building. Their expertise in fiberglass boat building led them to develop boats for the U.S. and foreign militaries, patrol boats for law enforcement agencies and research/exploration vessels for several agencies and universities.

In addition to pioneering fiberglass boat construction, many features that have become industry standards on boats were Stamas innovations. Fiberglass inner liners and self-bailing cockpits were created at Stamas. Always concerned with safety, the use of foam flotation in boat construction was applied. Such standard features as insulated and overboard draining fishing boxes and built-in livewells were first featured on Stamas boats. Stamas was also the first company ever to put a head under a center console.

Today there are new designs, new techniques and new materials but the currents of tradition run deep at Stamas Yacht. We remain one of the oldest, family-owned boat companies in the United States. The family continues to build boats with the same devotion to detail and respect for the sea that has been the hallmark of every Stamas boat for over 50 years.

]]>http://voyagersupply.com/stamas-yachts-boats-you-can-depend-upon/feed/0 http://voyagersupply.com/hobie-cat-sailboats-for-sale/ http://voyagersupply.com/hobie-cat-sailboats-for-sale/#comments Mon, 02 Aug 2010 19:12:38 +0000 Captain http://voyagersupply.com/?p=589

01 STAMAS 310 EXPRESS WALKAROUND TWIN YAMAHA 250HPS LOW HOURS LOW RESERVE    US $5,100.00

37 STAMAS EXPRESS OFFSHORE FISHING YAHT SPORTFISH BOAT DIESEL NOT PUSUIT CABO    US $159,900.00

Happy Cat Light Inflatable catamaran sailboat hobie    US $6,990.00

Happy Cat Inflatable catamaran sailboat hobie    US $7,990.00

Happy Cat Light Inflatable catamaran sailboat hobie    US $6,990.00

Happy Cat Inflatable catamaran sailboat hobie    US $7,990.00

Prout Ranger fast blue water catamaran    US $21,900.00

Charley Morgan is an American sailboat racer and designer. He is best known as the founder of Morgan Yachts.

He was born in Chicago in 1929 and raised in Florida. When he was 17, Morgan built the yacht Brisote and completed a St. Petersburg, Florida to Havana, Cuba race with Bruce Bidwell. Morgan attended the University of Tampa and took a job with Johnson sails. In 1952 he found Morgan Racing Sails in Tampa, FL. While making sails Morgan met yacht designer George Luzier, who got him interested in designing boats.

In 1957, Morgan, along with Charlie Hunt, designed and built Brisote, a 31 foot plywood yawl. After successfully appealing disqualification due to a lack of engine, he entered a Havana race and took second in Brisote's division. In 1960 Jack Powell commissioned Morgan to build the 40 foot centerboard fiberglass yawl Paper Tiger. The "famously successful" Paper Tiger won the Southern Ocean Racing Conference in 1961 and 1962.

Unable to find a builder to manufacture the Tiger Cub, a smaller version of Paper Tiger, Morgan founded the Morgan Yacht Corporation in 1962. . Morgan fell ill with tuberculosis, delaying production . Morgan asked Bidwell to join the business, delivering the first yacht in 1965.[4]. Early models included the Tiger Cub and fiberglass sloop Morgan 34. The company grossed 1.7 million in 1965.

Ownership of Morgan Yacht was sold to Beatrice Foods in 1968, providing funds for Morgan to design and build the wooden 12-meter yacht Heritage to compete for selection as defender of the America's Cup. Morgan acted as skipper during the defender selection trials but lost to Intrepid.

In response to customer feedback while operating Morgan Yacht, Morgan designed the shallow draft Morgan Out Island 41, "the most popular boat over 40 feet overall ever built." [5]. First built in 1971 the spacious boat became popular with charter companies, becoming "the standard charter boat."

Morgan left Morgan Yachts in 1972. Beatrice Foods sold the company to Catalina Yachts in 1984 and sold a redesigned Morgan Out Island 41 from 1986 to 1993.

Morgan found Heritage Yacht Corporation in 1975, producing trawlers and sailing yachts. The company was forced into bankruptcy and ownership transferred to Catalina Yachts. He later worked for Chris-Craft, doing design work on their trawler line.

33 morgan outisland 1975good condition Liveaboard in the FL Keys    US $16,500.00

41 MORGAN OUT ISLAND    US $64,500.00

2001 Osborn 190 Custom Flats boat with Evinrude 150 Ficht Outboard    US $6,995.00

LOWE 16 BASS FLATS BOAT TOTAL REBUILD 1998 2010 THIS WEEK ONLY    US $7,400.00

Lowe Pro Hustler flat bottom fishing boat    US $4,000.00

1995 PROLINE 16 SPORTSMAN SIDE CONSOLE FLATS SKIFF BAY BOAT HULL ONLY 200 MADE    US $5,250.00

2005 Sea Fox 172 CC 17 boat fishing inshore center console mercury 90 HP flats    US $5,650.00

MINT MAVERICK 15 MIRAGE HPX FLATS BOAT 4 STROKE YAMAHA 127 HRS    US $3,050.00

CLEAN 2007 KEY WEST 1760 STEALTH FLATS BOAT FISHING YAMAHA 150 V MAX    US $15,900.00

Mini Pontoon Fishing Boat    US $3,795.00

1988 Bass Buggy Pontoon    US $2,200.00

2008 Smoker Craft 18 Pontoon Tan and Blue    US $10,500.00

20 ft Grand Island pontoon boat    US $7,999.00

NEW 24 FT FISH AND FUN TAHOE AVALON PONTOON BOAT    US $10,999.00

2004 Pontoon Boat 24 Tracker Party Barge 2008 60hp Mercury 4stroke no trailer    US $7,877.77

92 voyager 18 foot pontoon boat 60hp mercury    US $4,999.99

1992 Voyager 1885 18 Pontoon    US $1,399.00

new 8 x 14 pontoon boat electric    US $3,800.00

NEW 24 FT FISH AND FUN TAHOE AVALON PONTOON BOAT WITH FULL CAMPER    US $14,999.00

2005 Pontoon Boat 25 Crest II xR 2006 Yamaha 90HP 4 Stroke GREAT BUY    US $12,900.00

SWIM ROOF NEW 24 FT FISH AND FUN TAHOE AVALON PONTOON BOAT    US $16,499.00

NEW 20 FT REAR FISH TAHOE AVALON PONTOON BOAT    US $10,500.00

REPO NEW 24 FT TAHOE AVALON PONTOON BOAT    US $13,500.00

NEW TRITOON 24 FT HIGH PERFORMANCE PONTOON BOAT    US $16,999.00

2002 25 ft Crest 111 Classic pontoon    US $7,500.00

2006 24 Bentley 240 Fish Pontoon with 90 hp 4 Stroke Mercury Trailer VeryNice    US $10,000.00

2011 MidAmerican 18 Alum Pontoon    US $2,025.00

Pontoon boat Sun Tracker Party Barge 25 Foot Pontoon Boat complete with seating    US $7,690.00

NEW 24 ft pontoon boat with slide    US $27,000.00

NEW 24 FT TRITOON PONTOON AVALON TAHOE    US $19,999.00

85 Lowe Sunbird Pontoon Boat Deck Boat 25    US $999.95

NEW 24 FT TAHOE AVALON PONTOON BOAT    US $9,999.00

SWIM ROOF NEW 24 FT TAHOE AVALON PONTOON BOAT    US $14,999.00

NEW 2011 BENTLEY PONTOON CRUISE 220 22FT 4 STROKE PWR SNEW 2011 BENTLEY PONTOON CRUISE 220 22FT 4 STROKE PWR    US $20,995.00

22 24 Ft Pontoon Boat Trailer    US $1,995.00

NEW 24 FT HIGH QUALITY PONTOON BOAT    US $13,999.00

Pontoon Boat Sylvan Sunchaser 24 ft Pontoon 75 Yamaha Four Stroke Clean    US $10,995.00

1998 PrinceCraft pontoon    US $6,295.00

New 2011 Palm Beach 1823 Sport Fish Pontoon    US $6,995.00