I’ve sailed on many boats over the years from the nimble
Laser to the majestic 12 meter to the stalwart New England catboat, but my
fondest memories and best stories involve one of the smallest boats out there –
the mighty Sunfish. My Dad taught
me to sail our first Sunfish in Wellfleet Harbor on the Cape and I learned more
as a summer camper on the Chesapeake Bay.
I eventually taught little kids to sail their own Sunfish at that same
summer camp which was the most fun anyone could have and still get paid.
All photos via:Pinterest.
Last week, before our weekly Sunfish race, I took my 5 year
old daughter and six of her little friends on a “pirate adventure” in Crow’s
Pond in Chatham aboard our unrigged Sunfish, which involved me dragging the
Sunfish by the painter and them riding along, jumping off and filling it up
with sea creatures. I can tell you
from that experience that the cockpit of a Sunfish functions perfectly as a
saltwater aquarium, but not if you plan to sail the boat anytime soon.
After cleaning out an impressive collection of periwinkles,
whelks, hermit crabs, spider crabs, seashells, and even a feisty horseshoe
crab, I was ready to race in the Sunfish Regatta at Crow’s Pond. When I say Regatta that makes it sound
impressive, right? In fact, it’s a
group of mostly older men from our wonderful Harbor Coves neighborhood, who
come out every Sunday in the summer to race their boats. Skill levels and boat rigging varies,
but the competitive spirit is consistently high. This is such a fun and lively event with anywhere from 3 –
15 boats competing solely for the glory of bragging rights. High winds bring excitement as boats
capsize and equipment breaks and light winds bring out the physicist and
engineer in us all. I have to confess
I’m a high wind day kind of sailor and love the feeling of screaming on a
reach, pulling the boat back from a capsize or righting the boat quickly, but
I’m as grumpy as any old man when something needs to be fixed mid-race. After the races, friends and neighbors
gather at the shoreline for snacks and beer and to catch up and thank everyone
for participating. It’s New
England tradition at it’s finest – all made possible by one of the best little
sailboats ever made.
If you’re looking for a gift for your favorite sailor,
chances are they have the same fond memories of their first Sunfish and would
love one of our Sunfish Wicked T’s. Shop www.chathamivy.com.
