Yes Sir, Aileen Shields Bryan, daughter of Cornelius Shields and married to ALex Bryan of AlCort, was a champion yachtswoman of her own and suggested the widening of the Sailfish and addition of the cockpit to make the "Sunfish." Carl Meinelt drew it up on the shop floor and 20 prototypes were built for family and friends in 1953, along with the Patented rudder releasing mechanism making its debut. Our boat ZIP is number 13 of those first 20. FMI: smallboatrestoration.blogspot.com/p/alcort-sunfish.html
I'm looking into purchasing an early 50s sunfish. Seems a little different than one in video. The combing seems longer with mast step just behind and up against inner side of combing. The cockpit quite small and square. The cockpit also has a short combing like trim around it. The plywood also seems a little higher grade. There is a round hole cut in the cockpit floor for drainage . Has the elephant ear rudder. Any ideas on this one?
Thanks for another great video. The parts diagram you showed has part number 43501 for the "sheet snap". Do you now if this part can still be found, or has it been superceded by another part number? I see SunfishDirect has one with part number 91208 but I wasn't sure if it's the same size. Thanks!
That Sunfish Direct part will work. I'm not sure who sells the brass snap shackle, maybe check The Dinghy Shop or Intensity Sails. You can find them on ebay from time to time. If we come across a spare we'll let you know.
"and then we have no idea what this goes to" lol. good stuff!!
super cool video! Love the old wood sunfish. did you say 1953? I learned a lot! thanks
Yes Sir, Aileen Shields Bryan, daughter of Cornelius Shields and married to ALex Bryan of AlCort, was a champion yachtswoman of her own and suggested the widening of the Sailfish and addition of the cockpit to make the "Sunfish." Carl Meinelt drew it up on the shop floor and 20 prototypes were built for family and friends in 1953, along with the Patented rudder releasing mechanism making its debut. Our boat ZIP is number 13 of those first 20. FMI: smallboatrestoration.blogspot.com/p/alcort-sunfish.html
@@kentblairl that is super cool. wow! thanks for sharing all that with me!
I'm looking into purchasing an early 50s sunfish. Seems a little different than one in video. The combing seems longer with mast step just behind and up against inner side of combing. The cockpit quite small and square. The cockpit also has a short combing like trim around it. The plywood also seems a little higher grade. There is a round hole cut in the cockpit floor for drainage . Has the elephant ear rudder. Any ideas on this one?
Possible short lived prototype. What is the length and beam? And does it have bronze Alcort rudder hardware?
Thanks for another great video. The parts diagram you showed has part number 43501 for the "sheet snap". Do you now if this part can still be found, or has it been superceded by another part number? I see SunfishDirect has one with part number 91208 but I wasn't sure if it's the same size. Thanks!
That Sunfish Direct part will work. I'm not sure who sells the brass snap shackle, maybe check The Dinghy Shop or Intensity Sails. You can find them on ebay from time to time. If we come across a spare we'll let you know.