Don't get me wrong, new sunfish with a trailer could cost a bit and are fun especially if you do the regattas.
This one doesn't look to come on a trailer. Might need some hull & ruder repairs, and if it's hard to tell if it's missing any parts.
All in all, it it requires work to get it on the water I would take that into consideration when trying to negotiate a price. Keep in mind there is a lot of truth to the first comment, these are often gifted to people willing to work on them.
It has all the spars and boards? I’d pay $200 for that. Why not? Sunfish sails are dirt cheap, and it wouldn’t take much to get it to where you could putz around on the lake. Not everything has to be a race boat.
Sail is probably toast, the rudder and daggerboard are og and look to be in good condition but are novelty items as best. They haven’t made metal rub rail sunfish in Like 40+ years and there are a million sunfish on the market. It’s no good for racing and is a backyard boat for someone with a lake house.
they changed to the moulded rub rail in the 90s with Pearson. but this is needs some not so fun repairs like the bow handle.
plenty of amf boats are fine for racing, it's just a crapshoot on weight. my 1971 amf sunfish is solid and weighs 118lbs and is comparable to my friend 2003 vanguard Hull. but it's been updated with a vanguard dagger board and rudder and a new north racing sail.
I'm sure op's boat weighs 250 lbs and has the foam blocks delaminated so it's not stiff.
second this - had one hauled off for junk similar age that had been garaged and covered- took it out for a spin and halyard hardware failed out in the water far from shore… at this age fiberglass is junk most of the time
People still race them around Jacksonville, FL. Might be worth more than people here think, based on condition, manufacturer, etc. just because it is an old design. One man’s 60 year old design is another man’s perfect one design. Friend of mine just got into racing them.
This 1969-1989 AMF Sunfish is the most mass-produced sailboat in the world and, as such, has no vintage value. In fact, the market is flooded with them. You will occasionally see them posted for $1,200+ by people hoping to get lucky with a clueless buyer, and this does sometimes happen. However, fair market value for a Sunfish of this generation in good sailing shape, with original accoutrements, and a reasonable sail, with trailer is $500-$800.
Your boat is missing the bow handle, has some unoriginal deck hardware, and is probably missing some gunnel rivets and sail rings and the sail is probably pretty poor. However, if the hull is somehow still watertight, it might be worth around $100-$300.
My recommendation would be to list it for free as whoever comes to trailer it out for you will be doing you a favor. Another idea would be to donate to a local university sailing club. I doubt any serious sailing schools will want it.
I have seen Sunfish listed in my area (middle of NY State) anywhere between free and $1200. Somewhere in the middle of that spectrum tends to sell. Free scares off a lot of people and unless it was a top of the line racer, $1200 is way too much.
I’ve noticed that the ones that are $1100+ usually include a highway-ready road trailer and that’s probably why. The trailer usually costs more than the boat in that case.
Really a couple hundred bucks to be completely honest they are fun great books, though I will promise you somebody who remembers having one as a kid is gonna want to get it for theirs
I bought mine of about the same year for 300$ mine is in slightly worse shape over all. So maybe 400$ ish or a little higher. Also depends on the shape of the sail, new sail is around 300$ hull looks good though.
Any good fate is appropriate here; there has been something north of a half-million of these made and many people (myself included) learned to sail on them. Donation (ask for a letter so you can write it off on your taxes) seems good.
ABA20011@reddit
That would sell as a $300 boat in May near Lake Michigan.
Lazy-Purpose-2577@reddit
Wow I need to find all these free sunfishes people are talking about. Prob at least a grand here.
Just-Finish5767@reddit
We got ours for $750 and it was a bargain for here. Put on a new block and ordered a new sail and still feel like we did ok. Beach dolly no trailer
rman342@reddit
That’s what I was thinking too.
putzncallyomama@reddit
Reddit gonna reddit. Its 500-750 all day long
SignedTheMonolith@reddit
Don't get me wrong, new sunfish with a trailer could cost a bit and are fun especially if you do the regattas.
This one doesn't look to come on a trailer. Might need some hull & ruder repairs, and if it's hard to tell if it's missing any parts.
All in all, it it requires work to get it on the water I would take that into consideration when trying to negotiate a price. Keep in mind there is a lot of truth to the first comment, these are often gifted to people willing to work on them.
OptiMom1534@reddit
are there any sunfish regattas anymore? I did plenty in the 90s but all our clubs are having kids go straight from opti to laser.
electriclux@reddit
$300
retrobob69@reddit
If your in Central florida I'll come take it for free
potted_sage@reddit
$200-$900 depending on location and soundness/completeness of vessel.
InMyElements@reddit
I sold a sunfish for $2500 lol
Unfair_Cry6808@reddit
Sunfish live-aboard I know what I got, no tire-kickers.
EnderDragoon@reddit
Recently hauled out.
Neptune7924@reddit
Sail it or donate it. Half the sailors I know have one in the garage. They are a blast!
Horatio-Leafblower@reddit
Just give it to a kid FFS
zsloth79@reddit
It has all the spars and boards? I’d pay $200 for that. Why not? Sunfish sails are dirt cheap, and it wouldn’t take much to get it to where you could putz around on the lake. Not everything has to be a race boat.
v2falls@reddit
honest answer like $200-300 if it has everything.
Sail is probably toast, the rudder and daggerboard are og and look to be in good condition but are novelty items as best. They haven’t made metal rub rail sunfish in Like 40+ years and there are a million sunfish on the market. It’s no good for racing and is a backyard boat for someone with a lake house.
enuct@reddit
they changed to the moulded rub rail in the 90s with Pearson. but this is needs some not so fun repairs like the bow handle.
plenty of amf boats are fine for racing, it's just a crapshoot on weight. my 1971 amf sunfish is solid and weighs 118lbs and is comparable to my friend 2003 vanguard Hull. but it's been updated with a vanguard dagger board and rudder and a new north racing sail.
I'm sure op's boat weighs 250 lbs and has the foam blocks delaminated so it's not stiff.
2BucChuck@reddit
second this - had one hauled off for junk similar age that had been garaged and covered- took it out for a spin and halyard hardware failed out in the water far from shore… at this age fiberglass is junk most of the time
Due-Pear-8687@reddit
My 40ynold
Laser has deck flex. Junk. Just like me!
grant837@reddit
Hey, I raced my Sunfish and was club champion! I loved it! 40 years ago.....
UndiscriminatingMam@reddit
Wish I could find a free sunfish
Expensive_Dig_6695@reddit
People still race them around Jacksonville, FL. Might be worth more than people here think, based on condition, manufacturer, etc. just because it is an old design. One man’s 60 year old design is another man’s perfect one design. Friend of mine just got into racing them.
richbiatches@reddit
Donate & be done.
hyperphase@reddit
Looks like it should be about free 50.
Callistonian@reddit
This 1969-1989 AMF Sunfish is the most mass-produced sailboat in the world and, as such, has no vintage value. In fact, the market is flooded with them. You will occasionally see them posted for $1,200+ by people hoping to get lucky with a clueless buyer, and this does sometimes happen. However, fair market value for a Sunfish of this generation in good sailing shape, with original accoutrements, and a reasonable sail, with trailer is $500-$800.
Your boat is missing the bow handle, has some unoriginal deck hardware, and is probably missing some gunnel rivets and sail rings and the sail is probably pretty poor. However, if the hull is somehow still watertight, it might be worth around $100-$300.
My recommendation would be to list it for free as whoever comes to trailer it out for you will be doing you a favor. Another idea would be to donate to a local university sailing club. I doubt any serious sailing schools will want it.
tench745@reddit
I have seen Sunfish listed in my area (middle of NY State) anywhere between free and $1200. Somewhere in the middle of that spectrum tends to sell. Free scares off a lot of people and unless it was a top of the line racer, $1200 is way too much.
Previous_Bet_1840@reddit
Off topic but shout out Finger Lakes, I've sailed a sunfish on Cayuga 😆
Kapitalist_Pigdog2@reddit
I’ve noticed that the ones that are $1100+ usually include a highway-ready road trailer and that’s probably why. The trailer usually costs more than the boat in that case.
tench745@reddit
That is a good point. Trailers (with paperwork) can make a big difference in price.
TwelveLakes@reddit
I think these daus, that's a free giveaway, hoping someone might pick it up.
lollowhite@reddit
Yeah, well, you know, that's just like, uh, your opinion, man
Intrepid-Ad-2610@reddit
Really a couple hundred bucks to be completely honest they are fun great books, though I will promise you somebody who remembers having one as a kid is gonna want to get it for theirs
wanderitis@reddit
A good older sunfish, with a title, dolly/ trailer will be worth $1000+ in places that need a title/registration.
grumpvet87@reddit
does the 1990 microwave come with it?
daiquiri-glacis@reddit
Try the sunfish sailboat marketplace on facebook. 20k members. Depending on location I’d say 300-500
https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1DehamVWxF/?mibextid=wwXIfr
onemind1989@reddit
Free to the right kid you bump into who wants to learn how to sail.
MARYOWL5599@reddit
I bought mine of about the same year for 300$ mine is in slightly worse shape over all. So maybe 400$ ish or a little higher. Also depends on the shape of the sail, new sail is around 300$ hull looks good though.
blownout2657@reddit
I’d take it off your hands. That’s it.
LateralThinkerer@reddit
Any good fate is appropriate here; there has been something north of a half-million of these made and many people (myself included) learned to sail on them. Donation (ask for a letter so you can write it off on your taxes) seems good.
SCL__@reddit
Perfect wet boat to learn to sail on.
cinemkr@reddit
Free.
OptiMom1534@reddit
Maybe consider donating to local community sailing centre. For what it is, there’s no monetary value here anymore, but still plenty enjoyment left.
TwelveLakes@reddit
That's a wonderful idea💪😎
Roadrider85@reddit
Depends on the condition of the sails, but if you can probably get $300 for it