A Letter to the Sunfish Community

Where it all began… and Where we are headed…

 

Dear Sunfish Family,

My name is Chris McLellan, and I’m honored to share a piece of our story with you. For over a decade, my company, Sunfish Direct, has proudly been the largest Sunfish dealer in the world. Today, through both Sunfish Direct and SERO Innovation, we’re continuing our mission to keep the Sunfish spirit alive, thriving, and accessible to all.

Solving the Shortage

When my wife Julie and I acquired Sunfish Direct in 2014, we were immediately struck by two things: the tremendous passion people had for the Sunfish, and the heartbreaking shortage of boats and parts. We couldn’t just sit back and accept it. We rolled up our sleeves and started solving the problem piece by piece, literally.

We found alternative sources for off-the-shelf items. We developed our own sails. We built our own tooling for plastic components. By 2019, we were sourcing or making nearly everything for the Sunfish except for the hulls, spars, and blades. In 2020, we even began supplying parts directly to the Sunfish manufacturer, LaserPerformance, helping to fill critical gaps in their production.

We solved the parts problem, not just for ourselves, but for everyone. We didn’t hoard the solution; we started a dealer network and shared these fruits with other dealers. Because that’s what communities do.

Standing in the Gap

While we worked to resolve parts shortages, the boat supply remained dire. Customers often waited months. Camps missed entire summers. The Sunfish community deserved better.

The boats we received were often incomplete, and we stepped in to fill the gaps—not just for ourselves, but for other dealers as well. We became a safety net for the entire Sunfish ecosystem.

And when the International Sunfish Class Association (ISCA) needed boats for world championships? We showed up.

• 2016 – 40 Sunfish for the Worlds in Colombia
• 2017 – 72 Sunfish for Brant Beach, NJ, with full on-site support
• 2019 – 40 Sunfish for Bonaire
• 2021 – 100 Sunfish for Sarasota, FL, with full on-site support
• 2022 – 60 Sunfish for Italy
• 2023 – 50 Sunfish for Coconut Grove, FL, with full on-site support

In most cases, these Sunfish World Championships were close to being canceled when we were called upon just months before each event. It wasn’t easy, but we did it because we believed, and still believe, in this boat, this community, and this way of life, both recreationally and through racing.

Crafting the Next Generation

 

In 2021, after discovering structural issues with most of the 100 boats we supplied for the 2021 Sunfish World Championships, I knew we needed a long-term solution. We dreamed bigger. We founded SERO Innovation to create a boat inspired by the Sunfish but built with modern technology and an uncompromising commitment to quality.

The result was the SOL, a boat that honors the Sunfish legacy while pushing it forward.

The SOL proudly maintains the classic hull and deck profile that generations of sailors know and love, while introducing key upgrades.

• Maintains classic hull and deck profile
• Wider and longer integrated cockpit
• Advanced core lamination + vacuum infusion
• Synthetic backer plates for strength and durability

Every enhancement was made with deep respect for the past and an eye toward the future. We strategically chose to improve the boat where it mattered most, while keeping compatibility at the core, ensuring camps and institutions with decades of Sunfish parts can continue sailing strong without stretching their ever-tightening budgets.

The SOL debuted at the Annapolis Sailboat Show in October 2022. By early 2023, boats were reaching customers across the country. Our dealer network grew to over 15 partners by year’s end.

Stewards of the Sunfish Legacy… Legacy Meets Innovation

On November 12th 2025 the International Sunfish Class Association (ISCA) the selection of a new builder for class-legal ISCA racing boats. But just a few months later, in February 2025, SERO Innovation secured exclusive global rights to the Sunfish and Laser intellectual property. We are now the sole worldwide builders of the iconic Sunfish.

Since then, we’ve expanded to over 30 dealers and sold 100+ new boats. The Sunfish is back—and it’s in good hands.

Our Mission and Your Role

We understand that some may question our motives or connections to the past and have done so publicly in open forums. Let me be clear: We’re not here for conquest. We’re here for community. We offered to partner with the new ISCA builder to support their efforts. They chose another path. That’s OK. We remain focused on growing sailing through collaboration, not competition.

Our mission is simple: Grow sailing by putting recreation first. When more families, kids, and casual sailors are on the water, the entire sailing world—including racing—grows stronger.

We’re committed to:

• Building high-quality Sunfish & SOL boats in the USA
• Strengthening our local dealer network
• Supporting fun, accessible sailing events
• Fostering grassroots growth across all backgrounds
• Innovating with care and respect for tradition

The Sunfish is where it all began for so many sailors—and we’re honored to help write its next chapter.

Join Us

There’s a lot of work ahead to accomplish this mission. We invite you to join us:

• Share our story
• Support our dealers
• Cheer on the class association
• Reach out with your ideas

Whether you’re a potential dealer, a future ambassador, or just a lifelong fan of the Sunfish, we want to hear from you.

Thank you for believing in the Sunfish. Thank you for being part of this journey. And thank you for helping us write the next chapter, together.

Fair winds,
Chris McLellan
Owner & CEO, SERO Innovation and Sunfish Direct
“Where it all began…”