Craigslist Finds

[Steve Clark]

That isn't a Finn rudder.

Boat also is missing the board cap and traveler and there is no evidence of the rigging that controils the sails.

Given what I know about Finns built in 1984, this certainly isn't one of them.

SHC

 

[AnotherSailor]

Snark Sunflower looks to be in very good condition - kept inside

https://nwct.craigslist.org/boa/d/stratford-sail-boat-snark-sunflower/7342659839.html

I couldn't help myself. Yes, I am picking it up later today.

Here is my "logic" - I want to buy a good Dinghy sometime soon - and was looking to test drive a few at various places that rent them (not nearby, so require hotel stay or long drive).

And so, I figured I'd buy this and fiddle with it and at least that would give me an idea if I liked the Lanteen Rig type. If I do, then the Rocket is big in the mix b/c I want lightweight. 

Even an Aero isn't this light! 50-59 pounds I hear. Look at the Manufacturers plate - it sure looks like it hasn't been  kept outdoors much!

I know the Wife is gonna have a ball ribbing me when she finds out (not the money, just the silliness of not resisting). 

View attachment 448803

View attachment 448804

I hope you didn't pay the $500 ...

These are not horrible but I don't think the wording "good dinghy" is appropriate. 

$50 might be more appropriate for the silliness of not resisting.

 

[Alan Crawford]

That isn't a Finn rudder.

Boat also is missing the board cap and traveler and there is no evidence of the rigging that controils the sails.

Given what I know about Finns built in 1984, this certainly isn't one of them.

SHC

It looks better in the picture with the top cover 

 

[craigiri]

I hope you didn't pay the $500 ...

These are not horrible but I don't think the wording "good dinghy" is appropriate. 

$50 might be more appropriate for the silliness of not resisting.

Didn't pay $500, but the ones you see for $200 are not the Sunflower (they are cheaper models) - they are not ABS covered and all dented and smashed up. On the other hand, you see some for $1200 in perfect shape that will never sell.

The same boat is still made - $1400 new and they actually have sold quite well (************ Boat Company). 

I'll post the sailing pics when we see what it does - then we can judge. I have no concern about a couple hundred bucks - I am certain that if I decide to sell it in the fall someone will give be $250-350 for it. 

We'll see. I'm having sun anyway. I could have bought some of the sunfish or sail fish around instead but the 50 lbs is the part that makes it worthwhile for me right now. If I do end up with a Board Boat it would likely be a Rocket or something like that other one I posted with a full interior carved out (pointer). I don't want a single seat sit-on boat for now. I think Fulcrum did their research when they decided a "cockpit" was a selling point for a Board Type Boat. 

 

[bartman99]

Needs work!

Maybe its a dolphin!

 

[Ventucky Red]

I think someone from Seattle was looking for a Force 5...  If it were me, I would be making this road trip...  they look to be in good shape

https://portland.craigslist.org/wsc/boa/d/sherwood-two-force-boats-like-laser/7342483818.html

 

[steveo]

Needs work!

Maybe its a dolphin!

View attachment 448886

Looks more like a whale...

 

[valcour]

Nice looking vintage wooden FD on Cleveland:



https://m.sailboatlistings.com/view/91906

 

[Steam Flyer]

Nice looking vintage wooden FD on Cleveland:

View attachment 449689

https://m.sailboatlistings.com/view/91906

A beauty, but I see a lot of black in that wood.

Nice sail number... looks like a nice trailer until you you dunk it in the water... aluminum mast is a plus...

FB- Doug

 

[williaty]

A beauty, but I see a lot of black in that wood.

Nice sail number... looks like a nice trailer until you you dunk it in the water... aluminum mast is a plus...

FB- Doug

I'm close enough to consider this boat. What do you mean about the black hull (the bit right at the bottom of the bow?) and the trailer?

 

[Alan Crawford]

A beauty, but I see a lot of black in that wood.

Yes, the section at the bow looks pretty nasty but given the age and overall ok condition (at least in the pictures), that one seems a worthy candidate to bring back to life! Cleveland is a long way from Montana or...

It's cool that there's a lot of interest in bringing life back to these old wooden dinghies. There's a FB page devoted to wooden Finns that has almost 1000 members. A wooden Finn regatta is planned next June in Uppsala, Sweden, birthplace of the Finn.

 

[Alan Crawford]

I'm close enough to consider this boat. What do you mean about the black hull (the bit right at the bottom of the bow?) and the trailer?

Black wood on a hot molded (or cold molded) wooden hull = dry rot. Judging from the amount of black in the one picture of the bow, that's a pretty good job to repair but definitely doable. You must peel back the varies plies of veneer until all of the rot / black is gone and then re-veneer.

 

[williaty]

I'm watching some youtube videos of people sailing these. I think I ought to give it a pass. I don't think my wife and I are athletic enough to jump in a boat that fast paced/busy after a 20 year break from sailing. It doesn't look like there'd be a great way to depower it and get the tempo down while we burn off the cobwebs. It was just tempting because it's pretty and it's listed for less than a Sunfish goes for around here.

 

[Alan Crawford]

I'm watching some youtube videos of people sailing these. I think I ought to give it a pass. I don't think my wife and I are athletic enough to jump in a boat that fast paced/busy after a 20 year break from sailing. It doesn't look like there'd be a great way to depower it and get the tempo down while we burn off the cobwebs. It was just tempting because it's pretty and it's listed for less than a Sunfish goes for around here.

There are some FD sailers here that can give their opinion. You can also find some old glass FD's for similar price as that woodie but closer to ready to sail. @ortegakid

 

[ortegakid]

You can sail her, easy to depower enough. Woodies scare me, but love to have one.

 

[Alan Crawford]

Woodies scare me, but love to have one.

I know where are really nice one is located....

 

[Alan Crawford]

A wooden FD restoration project.

https://www.epoxyworks.com/index.php/flying-dutchman-restoration/

 

[wannabefd]

Find a smaller jib and furl when overpowered.

 

[Steam Flyer]

Find a smaller jib and furl when overpowered.

Yep, modern furler works wonders... I'd even go so far as to get a square top main and put a jiffy reef on it, but I like excitement.

IMHO a Flying Dutchman is a great boat and is not really for only the super-athletic and finely honed skills... for one thing, it will help tune up those sailing skills and provide a lot of fun. I'd like one myself but that woodie is bit above my skill set to bring back. I can do conventional planking (which is too heavy for an FD anyway) but am really more of a fiberglass guy

FB- Doug

 

[rcbrds]

IMHO a Flying Dutchman is a great boat and is not really for only the super-athletic and finely honed skills... 

FB- Doug

It is true, although when it was an Olympic boat is was said to be sailed by big, young, athletic men. Now some of those guys are 60-80 and still sailing them.  The nice thing is they have good primary stability so at least it is possible to get into it without capsizing at the dock, even if you aren't that quick on your feet anymore.