Super Snark Sailboat

Super Snark Sailboat - Aft port view
I just bought this sailboat, an 11′ Super Snark. I’ve wanted to learn to sail for a few years; this seemed like the perfect sailboat to start with. It is purportedly unsinkable and very stable. The ABS clad EPS foam hull certainly seems very durable and indeed, could not possible sink even if completely swamped.
I had it out for the first time this weekend and had a fantastic time. This was my very first time sailing, but I found the boat quite easy to handle - the basic sailing instructions I’ve read were enough to get me underway with this small sailboat. With a little ‘effort’ I was even able to capsize the Super Snark and shortly thereafter learn how easy it is to right this boat. I’ll save the details of that story for another time.
After the first trip out I realized that all the wood parts - rudder, tiller, keel, transom - needed some attention. The marine plywood rudder was delaminating, and though it would be simple to cut a new one, I thought it might be worthwhile to repair it. After gluing and clamping the rudder in several places, I sanded and varnished all of the wood parts.
I also plan on painting the outside of the hull - navy blue. I’ll keep the white gunwhale and medium blue bumper as is. This motif should work nicely with then existing blue-white-blue-white striped sail and equally well with an Egyptian cotton colored sail I’d like to have.


