The cheapest Sunfish in good condition?
- Thread starter Cod
- Start date
Dillon Waltner
Member
Most of the AMF boats I've seen locally that are in good condition and with all rigging go for between $1200 and $1800. Vanguard boats get a bit more spendy. There is a guy in Sloatsburg NY who reconditions and sells them. He's easy to find on Craigslist.
Prices definitely jumped during Covid and have only come down a little. I picked up a nice AMF boat for $750 in 2021. I’ve seen others in that range or a little less, but they’re usually about $900-$1000 now. The lowest price I’ve seen for a vanguard boat in reasonable condition is about $1700. I’ve seen less, but they tend to be trashed. The reason I know all this, is the result of moving to a house on a lake. I’m trying to get a local sunfish fleet going, so knowing where to find inexpensive boats has become a bit of a hobby
- Thread starter
- #4
I'm jealous of your neighbors now. Have fun.
- Thread starter
- #5
When I say good condition, I mean reconditionable, not necessarily reconditioned. I'll check his boats out though. Things've changed since the last time I fixed one.
Dillon Waltner
Member
I have seen freebies that are technically "reconditionable", but I wouldn't take the project. Another thing to try is to find lake communities with active Sunfish sailing and start browsing garage sales in the area. I have seen a few of them close to me available for a song if you show up in a vehicle that can transport it right away.When I say good condition, I mean reconditionable, not necessarily reconditioned. I'll check his boats out though. Things've changed since the last time I fixed one.
Time Theory
Member
Which one has the better build quality? The AMF boats or the Vanguard boats? What are the years to stay away from?
Vanguard is going to have the better build
Quality, certainly in the five years before Steve sold the business to Laser Performance. One of the nice things about the sunfish is that they are built with woven cloth, as opposed to a Laser which is all chopped strand mat, and basically guaranteed to disintegrate in a short period of time. So they’re all pretty solid. The build quality issues in the amf boats can turn up with too much putty being used for bonding hulls to decks and just sloppy production stuff that results in a heavier boat. Vanguard had better build practices and better QA. Also, there are fewer deck penetrations, which makes it easier to keep the interior dry.
Floating Duck
Anarchist
Time Theory
Member
Great Information!!! This is a good one for the memory banks in case I run across a Sunfish.
WCB
Super Anarchist
Wavedancer II
Anarchist
- 741
- 196
Price seems a bit high, unless a nice trailer is included.
