Aqua Finn

[Rick Webb]

Anyone have experience with the Aqua Finn from American Sail?

http://americansail.com/products/boats/aqua-finn-daysailer

I am on the board for a youth sailing non profit and we are becomingly more than a little disenchanted with the current iteration of the Sunfish manufacturer and are looking for alternatives to our Sunfish program.

We would keep the sunfish we have for class events but would supplement the boats for our summer lessons by throwing these into the mix and taking the stress off of the Sunfish hulls and rigs we already have. They seem to be almost a third of the price of a Sunfish.

Word on the street is the Sunfish manufacturing plant has shut down and is in the process of moving it's operation to China, but has yet to put out a single hull. Maybe a fanciful rumor but things have been going downhill for several years.

 

[Brian S]

So, are you asking if the Aqua Finn is more structurally robust than a Sunfish?

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Let me speak on this folks. The company is owned and operated by Chris Stanton whose father, Dave Stanton, started the company. They build and manufacturer the boats in N. Charleston, SC and will continue to do so. YOU ARE DEALING WITH AN AMERICAN COMPANY BUILT IN THE USA AND THEIR PHILOSOPHY IS BUILD IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME AND TAKE CARE OF THE CUSTOMERS. That pretty much sums it up.

I have known the folks for many years and they build a better product for less cost. I do believe they will work with you if this is for a club. Orginally the Aqua Finn was designed and built for Boy Scouts. I use to be a dealer for them and they backed up the product without question. The boat has been improved over the years. Now they have a new version with a furling main. Dave Stanton is well known in the industry and most respected. In fact, they supply parts for the Sunfish as well and are in many cases better and cheaper. His son, is just like his father.

Rick, I trust them completely and their telephone number is (843) 552-8548.
Dave Condon alias crazy dave

 

[Rick Webb]

So, are you asking if the Aqua Finn is more structurally robust than a Sunfish?

Any info at all

I have never seen one so have absolutely no point of reference

 

[SFS]

Give them a call, and ask if there is a dealer or a sold boat anywhere near you that you can go look at. From what Dave said, they sound like helpful folks. You represent a potential sale of more than one unit, from what it sounds like. I'm sure they would like to talk to you.

 

[Chris Patterson]

I own an Aquafinn. Super little boat, and well made. It's a little longer than the Sunnyfish by a couple of feet, and the main boom is right at 14'.
You oughta hear that little sucker hum when it gets on plane.

 

[Kermit]

I have spoken with Dave Stanton twice about my 80s-era AquaCat. I'm not the original owner so Dave hasn't made money from me. He gets very excited when talking about a boat they no longer even make. Although I can't answer questions about the Aqua Finn I can tell you American Sail is a stand-up company that I would do business with in a heartbeat.

 

[Kermit]

I just remembered this... The last time I called he returned my call from a boat show that was out-of-state. Knowing full well all I needed was information. That's good stuff right there.

 

[Brian S]

Wow, based on what Crazy Dave and Kermit say, I'm ready to buy an Aqua Finn right now! Not really, I'm pretty happy with the Force 5. But if I were in the market again...

But for reals, Rick, it sounds like the Aqua Finn is the right boat for your youth sailing program. It's simple to sail, simple to rig with that basic lateen rig like a Sunfish, an enthusiastic builder, and Dave's vouching for quality construction. I just read the info page. Seems like benefits over a Sunfish include a sleeved sail, so you don't have to bother with those Sunfish shower ring clips. Also, coremat foam coring should give a nice, stiff hull. And that won't rot. Finally, there's a vinyl rub rail, which will protect the deck to hull joint from over-enthusiastic docking maneuvers. For a youth sailing program, maybe I would not get the Harken swiveling cam cleat option. That way the kids have to sheet directly from the boom, making it easier to let go of the main in a gust vs. having the sheet cleated. Also teaches them to sheet using the hand-teeth technique. I used to drive my Grandparents crazy with that. I'd sheet in as far as I could, bite the sheet to hold on and move my grip back out the sheet, then pull in more. Grandmother was always freaking out about how much my orthodontics cost when I did that! Ha!

If I were concerned about two areas on this design boat, it would be the mast step sleeve, and the daggerboard trunk. The mast step is less of a concern with a mast that is stepped with no load, vs. Force 5 or Laser where the mast is stepped with the sail already on the mast, because in windy weather if the mast leans when it's not fully in the mast tube, well, you get the idea. And how strong are the lower corners of the daggerboard trunk, for those kids who have to sail onto a shoal at full speed with the board down? Don't want cracking there to cause water ingress into the hull. I'd call the builder and talk with them about it, and if you're going to buy more than one boat, I'm sure he'll have fun chatting with you

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Over years many areas were improved and strengthend which sunfish did not do. Call Dave Stanton and he will give you straight poop.