Planing allows the boat to achieve a speed greater than theoretical hull speed based on length at waterline ( LWL). The hull’s very mild "V" bottom and hard chine make Sunfish a most stable boat for its size, along with enabling it to sail on a plane (hydroplane). Using a lateen rig for this style boat shifts the advantage toward better performance in lighter air (less than 4 on the Beaufort scale) and contributes to it having good down-wind characteristics. However, this sail plan is not as old-world as it might first appear. The distinctive low- aspect ratio crab claw sail gives the Sunfish an anachronistic appearance compared with today's more familiar high-aspect ratio Bermuda rig sailboats. The design is currently manufactured by Laser Performance. Today, the Sunfish brand-name has become so widely known it is often misapplied generically to refer to any brand of board-style boat sporting the characteristic crab claw sail.
In response the ISCA, still the World Sailing recognised Class Association, have announced rule changes which permit alternative suppliers to Laser Performance for some components.
In 2017, Laser Performance (LP) announced the creation of a new governing body to manage the Sunfish Class, the International Sunfish Class Organization (ISCO), after the International Sunfish Class Association (ISCA), governing body since 1969, refused to sign a trademark agreement.
Įarly in 2016, manufacturer Laser Performance moved production from Portsmouth, Rhode Island, US to China and boats were supplied to the 2016 World Championships. Upgrades can be added to enhance sail control for competitive sailing, making the boat attractive to both novice and experienced sailors alike.ĭue to the broad appeal of the Sunfish, in 1995 it was commended by The American Sailboat Hall of Fame for being "the most popular fiberglass boat ever designed, with a quarter million sold worldwide" (at that point in time). Having a Lateen sail with its simple two line rigging makes a Sunfish simple to learn sailing on and to set up.
Sunfish began as a wood hull design and progressed to fiberglass construction just a few years after its introduction. In contrast, the Sunfish has a wider beam for more stability, increased freeboard and the addition of a foot-well for a more comfortable sailing position. and first appeared around 1952 as the "next generation" improvement on their original boat, the Sailfish. It features a very flat, boardlike hull carrying a lateen sail ("Oceanic lateen") mounted to an un- stayed mast. The Sunfish is a personal-size, beach-launched sailing dinghy.
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