I appreciate that! I try to provide some inspiration, as well as the tips to help others do it. Without my thought process you might think I'm just plain crazy....as apposed to crazy and cautious in equal doses....
Especially love the strong winds and big waves. I'm a huge advocate of sailing the Sunfish in rugged conditions and it's great seeing someone apply their skill and knowledge of the boat.
I also loved the wind and waves!.....except for the gusty stuff. Do you also sail a Sunfish in the more intense conditions? There are more big waves in the 2nd and 4th videos of the series. (4th coming out tomorrow morning).
@@AdventuresInReach yes I do. Love to sail it on windy day's, it brings a smile to my face , not from ear to ear, but from shore to shore. she is an oldie but a goodie.
It was an awesome trip. Did you watch the whole video series? Have you sailed big water? Any way you could make the trip happen? If so, let me know and I'd be happy to give some pointers.
Always wanted to get a small sail boat and your videos convinced me to get a sunfish. Will be picking it up in 3 days Thank you for the motivation to finally go through with this.
--If you want a shortcut to reliable, recommended gear, then check the links in the description --Join my email list and get a free Small Sailboat Camping Packing List--link in description --Please consider liking and subscribing! --Check out this “Sunfish Sailing Adventures” playlist: ruclips.net/p/PLNcpRGw7T0bgCPwT85FSucfIhewgFrkXX
Thank you. I'll get back or there as soon as the water is liquid again. If you haven't seen the others from the Isle Royale series you can find them here: World's largest lake in tiny Sailboat: ruclips.net/p/PLNcpRGw7T0bgjjYL7CiiZMT1rRCJxItht
Thank you. I have 2 more videos to post in this 5 video series. If you haven't seen the first two, there are links in the description. I have a few more trip ideas, but I'm always open to ideas.
No VHF? I wear a Standard Horizon HX 280s in my PFD pocket. If I am only using it to get weather forecasts once or twice a day I can get a week or so from the battery. Stern cam shot is cool. Nice camera angle. The Sunfish handles the weather really nicely. I had never considered one for cruising because it can't really be reefed, but doesn't seem to be a problem.
Thank you! I carry a Uniden marine radio in my emergency bag for forecasts and emergencies. The battery seemed to drop the first few bars quicker than usual, which is why I asked for a forecast from others...but then it lasted through the week without an issue. I'm glad I asked though, because I met a very cool family. I wish sunfish made a reefing sail. It was an issue once. I didn't get my camera out because it was super crazy but I was running downwind and the boat was tipping violently as the 35 mph gusts exerted force on it and made it go from scraping the water to being 6-8 feet in the air. I could barely stay on the boat. I'm considering buying a Minifish sail to use in super strong winds.
Absolutely. I would just need to figure out how to do it efficiently. I don't necessarily want to unclip all the sail clips. Maybe Sunfish will work with me on it.
@@AdventuresInReach ya, or a third party that makes Sunfish sails. There are a bunch out there. I found a company that sold Opti sails with a lower CE for high winds. Can't remember what it was called.
@@AdventuresInReach here is the company I was trying to remember. Intensity sails. Check out their low power opti sail. Maybe they could do something similar for a Sunfish. www.intensitysails.com/opnotrsa.html.
This is awesome, Matt! I think I commented on one of your previous videos, but not sure I'd bought my boat yet. I'm an American expat and live in New Zealand. I just got a used, car-toppable Topaz Taz. 10 foot long, main and jib. I love it! Need some more practice before I load it with gear and head to one of the islands here, but those islands are all only 4-5 miles away. Keep the videos coming!
The Topaz looks like a fun boat. Have you been out yet? Good call--I would certainly get comfortable with sailing it, flipping and righting, raising/lowering sails on the water, and getting into bigger wind and waves before camping on an island. 4-5 miles seems totally doable, although traveling at 5 mph leaves some time for conditions to change. I would be interested to hear when you go. I enjoy hearing and learning from others' adventures as well.
@@AdventuresInReach I have been out in it! Great little boat. Light winds (5 knots). Will see how it handles in heavier winds this week (10-15 knots)! Very easy to right this boat!
@@AdventuresInReach BTW, there aren't that many who are doing camping from these small boats. Even many dinghies are bigger and one can sleep in them (instead of tenting). I am pleasantly surprised to discover how much one can pack onto dry bags. In searching to find channels recently, I found yours, and also check out Igor Stropnik if you haven't. He has a very comical video of going many miles in a Portland Pudgy. Oldest videos on his channel are of sail camping in small boats! ruclips.net/channel/UCSeF46LnE_WFiel91V6ZQKA
I seem to be one of the few oddballs doing this. When I originally Googled "Sunfish Sailboat Camping" nothing came up of people actually doing it. I love sailing and tenting, so it works out well. If you pick the right gear, you don't need all that much. I've watched many of Igor's videos and really enjoy them! The video you are referencing is one of my favorites.
what are you using as main sheet line keepers on your lower boom? They look nice and I'm looking to do something so i don't it on my life jacket all the time.
I simply tied some paracord around the lower spar (wrapped 3x and tied with 2 half hitches) on both ends with a loop left in the middle. I was experimenting with that it and works quite well. The only thing I don't like is having something rubbing on my main sheet, but there has been no visible wear yet. I will likely add some tubing over top of that paracord to prevent any possible rubbing. The main sheet doesn't even touch them when pulled taught. I was just finding that in light winds it would sag and I would get it caught on my lifejacket or strobe light also.
Totally impressed. Nice video. Thanks
Glad you liked it! If you haven't already, you might want to check out the other 4 videos in that series.
Really enjoy your commentary and thought process
I appreciate that! I try to provide some inspiration, as well as the tips to help others do it. Without my thought process you might think I'm just plain crazy....as apposed to crazy and cautious in equal doses....
Especially love the strong winds and big waves. I'm a huge advocate of sailing the Sunfish in rugged conditions and it's great seeing someone apply their skill and knowledge of the boat.
I also loved the wind and waves!.....except for the gusty stuff. Do you also sail a Sunfish in the more intense conditions? There are more big waves in the 2nd and 4th videos of the series. (4th coming out tomorrow morning).
Sunfish, what a great little boat.
Absolutely. Do you have one?
@@AdventuresInReach yes I do. Love to sail it on windy day's, it brings a smile to my face , not from ear to ear, but from shore to shore. she is an oldie but a goodie.
Awesome. I love to hear of people getting out. Did you watch the whole series? Have you ever tried camping with your fish?
@@AdventuresInReach ruclips.net/video/vTEuWm9vl5I/видео.html my bride and I did an evening sail a couple years ago.
@@AdventuresInReach we have in the past done a lot of canoeing / camping trips, not getting into dinghy cruising.
Man this is like a dream trip for me! So glad to see good content like this. Keep it up!
It was an awesome trip. Did you watch the whole video series? Have you sailed big water? Any way you could make the trip happen? If so, let me know and I'd be happy to give some pointers.
Always wanted to get a small sail boat and your videos convinced me to get a sunfish. Will be picking it up in 3 days Thank you for the motivation to finally go through with this.
Hello. That's awesome! You are certainly welcome for the motivation. I hope the pickup went well and you've been out sailing!
@@AdventuresInReach little fixing was needed on it. It’s ready now just waiting on a chance to hit the water.
--If you want a shortcut to reliable, recommended gear, then check the links in the description
--Join my email list and get a free Small Sailboat Camping Packing List--link in description
--Please consider liking and subscribing!
--Check out this “Sunfish Sailing Adventures” playlist: ruclips.net/p/PLNcpRGw7T0bgCPwT85FSucfIhewgFrkXX
Great job! Keep it up.
Thank you. I'll get back or there as soon as the water is liquid again. If you haven't seen the others from the Isle Royale series you can find them here: World's largest lake in tiny Sailboat: ruclips.net/p/PLNcpRGw7T0bgjjYL7CiiZMT1rRCJxItht
I liked the scene at about 5:00, thats how I use my Sunfish.
That's funny. I also enjoy a good lounging sail. Some trips are calm, and some...are like this one.
Super video series, Matt! Going to share it with my buddies. (I'm "Fremont" on the Sunfish forum).
Thank you! It was an incredible trip. I have 2 more from the series on the way as well.
Absolutely brilliant keep up the adventures :)
Thank you. I have 2 more videos to post in this 5 video series. If you haven't seen the first two, there are links in the description. I have a few more trip ideas, but I'm always open to ideas.
Thanks!
Thank you again. This series of 5 videos was a big undertaking of planning, effort, time and editing. Thanks for watching and supporting my channel.
No VHF? I wear a Standard Horizon HX 280s in my PFD pocket. If I am only using it to get weather forecasts once or twice a day I can get a week or so from the battery. Stern cam shot is cool. Nice camera angle. The Sunfish handles the weather really nicely. I had never considered one for cruising because it can't really be reefed, but doesn't seem to be a problem.
Thank you! I carry a Uniden marine radio in my emergency bag for forecasts and emergencies. The battery seemed to drop the first few bars quicker than usual, which is why I asked for a forecast from others...but then it lasted through the week without an issue. I'm glad I asked though, because I met a very cool family. I wish sunfish made a reefing sail. It was an issue once. I didn't get my camera out because it was super crazy but I was running downwind and the boat was tipping violently as the 35 mph gusts exerted force on it and made it go from scraping the water to being 6-8 feet in the air. I could barely stay on the boat. I'm considering buying a Minifish sail to use in super strong winds.
@@AdventuresInReach the minifish plan sounds like a good one. You could maybe put out a sea anchor to change them out on the water.
Absolutely. I would just need to figure out how to do it efficiently. I don't necessarily want to unclip all the sail clips. Maybe Sunfish will work with me on it.
@@AdventuresInReach ya, or a third party that makes Sunfish sails. There are a bunch out there. I found a company that sold Opti sails with a lower CE for high winds. Can't remember what it was called.
@@AdventuresInReach here is the company I was trying to remember. Intensity sails. Check out their low power opti sail. Maybe they could do something similar for a Sunfish. www.intensitysails.com/opnotrsa.html.
This is awesome, Matt! I think I commented on one of your previous videos, but not sure I'd bought my boat yet. I'm an American expat and live in New Zealand. I just got a used, car-toppable Topaz Taz. 10 foot long, main and jib. I love it! Need some more practice before I load it with gear and head to one of the islands here, but those islands are all only 4-5 miles away. Keep the videos coming!
The Topaz looks like a fun boat. Have you been out yet? Good call--I would certainly get comfortable with sailing it, flipping and righting, raising/lowering sails on the water, and getting into bigger wind and waves before camping on an island. 4-5 miles seems totally doable, although traveling at 5 mph leaves some time for conditions to change. I would be interested to hear when you go. I enjoy hearing and learning from others' adventures as well.
@@AdventuresInReach I have been out in it! Great little boat. Light winds (5 knots). Will see how it handles in heavier winds this week (10-15 knots)! Very easy to right this boat!
@@AdventuresInReach BTW, there aren't that many who are doing camping from these small boats. Even many dinghies are bigger and one can sleep in them (instead of tenting). I am pleasantly surprised to discover how much one can pack onto dry bags. In searching to find channels recently, I found yours, and also check out Igor Stropnik if you haven't. He has a very comical video of going many miles in a Portland Pudgy. Oldest videos on his channel are of sail camping in small boats! ruclips.net/channel/UCSeF46LnE_WFiel91V6ZQKA
I seem to be one of the few oddballs doing this. When I originally Googled "Sunfish Sailboat Camping" nothing came up of people actually doing it. I love sailing and tenting, so it works out well. If you pick the right gear, you don't need all that much. I've watched many of Igor's videos and really enjoy them! The video you are referencing is one of my favorites.
what are you using as main sheet line keepers on your lower boom? They look nice and I'm looking to do something so i don't it on my life jacket all the time.
I simply tied some paracord around the lower spar (wrapped 3x and tied with 2 half hitches) on both ends with a loop left in the middle. I was experimenting with that it and works quite well. The only thing I don't like is having something rubbing on my main sheet, but there has been no visible wear yet. I will likely add some tubing over top of that paracord to prevent any possible rubbing. The main sheet doesn't even touch them when pulled taught. I was just finding that in light winds it would sag and I would get it caught on my lifejacket or strobe light also.