I recently purchased a Pointer 14 from J-Point Marine in Maine. This boat is made from the original Phantom mold. (Note: The Phantom sailboat in Britain is an entirely different boat.) As many of you know, the Phantom was designed by individuals that had worked for Sunfish. The boats were manufactured by Howmar (and perhaps others), although they stopped production some time ago. The Phantom is slightly longer and wider than the Sunfish. The sail area is about ten square feet greater.
The Pointer 14 is manufactured in Maine. Prior to purchasing the boat, I traveled to Maine to see a demo model. The company representative spent quite a bit of time with me, and allowed me to take the boat out for a test sail. I followed up with some questions via email, and I always received prompt and informative responses.
There are some features on the Pointer 14 that I liked a lot.
First and foremost, there is a large inspection hole just above the daggerboard. If any water gets into the hull, it is easy enough to sponge out. There is also a drain plug on the bow. The cockpit has a hiking strap, along with a large water-proof storage compartment toward the stern. I am able to fit a collapsible paddle from Cabellas in this compartment.
The sail is manufactured by Doyle Sails, and has a window. The sail has sleeves for the spars. This seems like a good design, although it means that I can't use mainstays. There is a rotating jam cleat for the mainsheet.
There are no wooden parts, which I really like. I'm not sure why Sunfish took so long to figure this out. The tiller and rudder are manufactured by RWO. The tiller sits higher off the deck than a Sunfish tiller. I can't decide if this is better or worse. It really depends on the weather. In light winds, when I sit in the cockpit, the tiller is in just the right position. When you are sitting on top of the deck, it can feel a little high off the deck. One nice feature is that the rudder kicks up automatically when you beach the boat.
I don't have enough experience with Sunfish to compare differences in sailing. It's been many years since I had sailed. I was able to pick things up pretty quickly, even though I live in a mountainous area with gusty winds. The Phantom is very responsive, and I had very little trouble in 15-20 knot winds on my third time out. I've developed quite a bit of confidence in just four outings. I have only tipped the boat once on a downwind jibe in heavier winds. It was my fault, since I fought the sail when it jibed. Having the daggerboard down did not help.
Since it's a lateen rig, it's obviously does not point as high upwind as a sloop rigged boat. I am happy to trade this for a boat that is simple to rig, and can be set up by one person in just a few minutes.
My biggest praise for the Phantom 14 is the customer service that I have received. I had one problem, but it was taken care of very quickly. I emailed the company, and they took excellent care of me. I had a new part within just a couple of days. It is very clear to me that the owners of this company are really working hard to succeed, and that they believe in their product.
I'm happy to answer any questions for those who are curious about this boat. Keep in mind, though, that I'm not a sophisticated sailor.
I'd also love to hear from anyone else that has purcahsed this boat.
The Pointer 14 is manufactured in Maine. Prior to purchasing the boat, I traveled to Maine to see a demo model. The company representative spent quite a bit of time with me, and allowed me to take the boat out for a test sail. I followed up with some questions via email, and I always received prompt and informative responses.
There are some features on the Pointer 14 that I liked a lot.
First and foremost, there is a large inspection hole just above the daggerboard. If any water gets into the hull, it is easy enough to sponge out. There is also a drain plug on the bow. The cockpit has a hiking strap, along with a large water-proof storage compartment toward the stern. I am able to fit a collapsible paddle from Cabellas in this compartment.
The sail is manufactured by Doyle Sails, and has a window. The sail has sleeves for the spars. This seems like a good design, although it means that I can't use mainstays. There is a rotating jam cleat for the mainsheet.
There are no wooden parts, which I really like. I'm not sure why Sunfish took so long to figure this out. The tiller and rudder are manufactured by RWO. The tiller sits higher off the deck than a Sunfish tiller. I can't decide if this is better or worse. It really depends on the weather. In light winds, when I sit in the cockpit, the tiller is in just the right position. When you are sitting on top of the deck, it can feel a little high off the deck. One nice feature is that the rudder kicks up automatically when you beach the boat.
I don't have enough experience with Sunfish to compare differences in sailing. It's been many years since I had sailed. I was able to pick things up pretty quickly, even though I live in a mountainous area with gusty winds. The Phantom is very responsive, and I had very little trouble in 15-20 knot winds on my third time out. I've developed quite a bit of confidence in just four outings. I have only tipped the boat once on a downwind jibe in heavier winds. It was my fault, since I fought the sail when it jibed. Having the daggerboard down did not help.
Since it's a lateen rig, it's obviously does not point as high upwind as a sloop rigged boat. I am happy to trade this for a boat that is simple to rig, and can be set up by one person in just a few minutes.
My biggest praise for the Phantom 14 is the customer service that I have received. I had one problem, but it was taken care of very quickly. I emailed the company, and they took excellent care of me. I had a new part within just a couple of days. It is very clear to me that the owners of this company are really working hard to succeed, and that they believe in their product.
I'm happy to answer any questions for those who are curious about this boat. Keep in mind, though, that I'm not a sophisticated sailor.
I'd also love to hear from anyone else that has purcahsed this boat.