My Yacht

[Splitshot]

My dad bought it in the late 60’s and I restored it last year- after it sat in the sticker bushes for 30 years. Even though it‘s about the size of a clawfoot tub, It’s been a fine lake boat. It’s unsinkable, weighs only 40 lbs and fits nicely in the back of my S10. And it's orange.
So if you see it out there on the water, stop by and say “hi”.............after you stop laughing.

Sportyak II

[scott080379]

Ugly but cool that you were able to fix it up after your father owned it and now she is yours. You fish off it?

[Anonymous]

I can appreciate the boat Rob. That is the kind of vessel that I would enjoy just learning the basics of handling a sail on a quiet lake. No need to be fishing for me. I would just dig cruising around. Did you make the sail and oars. The oars look freshly stained.

[Splitshot]

You fish off it?

Of course!:)
I usually take one of the wife's grandkids for balast but that leaves just enough room for a tackle box.

Did you make the sail and oars?

Hi Chris
My dad bought the optional sail kit that came with everything needed. The “oars” are outriggers to keep you from tipping over. I did sand, stain and varnish them as well as replace all the original wood with oak. It’s a kick in the pants to sail- most fun you can have at 7 mph.

[The Quadfather]

I've never heard/seen of that "Ouriggered Oars" thing in the pic. The close up shows that you must have cleaned up pretty well since the season(s) in the Blackberries.

[urbanangler]

Looks like fun! Reminds me of the 8' El Toro I learned to sail with, which looks like:

http://www.sailingflamenco.com/BOATPIX/IMG_0863.jpg

I call it a row bow with a sail.

[1970sportyak]

Same story here in NY. My Dad bought a sportyak back in the late 60s/early 70s which I played around in all the time as a kid. After he bought a larger aluminium row boat for fishin (Grumman), the yak ended up hidden behind a bush along the side of the house. I recently took it out and cleaned it up thinking that my kids would enjoy it. Getting a new white rubber trim and motor mount on ebay. I have dim memories of my Dad having the sail kit but can't find it anywhere. I've also looked around on the internet but have only found pics here; it doesn't look like Daytona or Bic sell the sail kits anymore and I can't find them used. Would really appreciated it if you could post the specs on yours or maybe more more detailed pics of the sail and parts. Perhaps I could rig something up.

Thanks!

Craig

[kciri]

Hello,

I just got myself a sportyak and really like what you did with yours. I wanted to make a sailing rig for mine as well. Any advice, plans on how to make one. Thanks. John in Seattle.

[Kirk G]

My father bought me a Dayton Sportyak II with the Latine sailing rig package back in 1968. I sailed in a small pond near our small Michigan city for about 7 years. I sold it for about $100 in Kalamazoo, Michigan after college. Such a cute little boat. I wish that I had never let it go. Currently looking for a used Sportsyak with rowing oars in the general midwest area to bring back to SE Ohio. Can you help me?

[rcjoutdoors]

Not a bad restoration at all for how long it was sitting in the bushes....I wonder if it's still afloat.

[hewesfisher]

Who knows, splitshot hasn't logged in here since 2011.