| |
Sandpiper Owner'sReviews:
(Email to us
Yours!)
Mark Carter, Sandpiper 565, Tahlmorra
This is my first sailboat, and for my current needs it's
ideal. It's been great to learn on, as it sails very well. At the same time,
for the size of the boat it has a roomy cabin area that allows me to overnight
in it quite comfortably (packed as for a backpacking trip). It's also big
enough to handle well on Lake Ontario (I've sailed this boat through 10'
swells in high wind, though I wouldn't recommend it). I have a slip at Port
Dalhousie Pier Marina. Singlehanded, this boat sails nicely. It's very stable,
has a deep dry cockpit, and is very easy to handle when using a furling
headsail. I have a 4.5 hp motor, which provides plenty of power when there's
no wind.
Shotwave, (www.sailnet.com)
Very dry and seaworthy. Easily handled by one skipper in
almost any weather condition. Extremely high freeboard and cockpit coamings
combined with single lifelines, stern and bow pulpits, give a good sense of
security.
Easily launched, as the keel retracts fully into the hull. This boat has a
gently rounded bottom, and draws only 10 inches of water with keel retracted.
It can be beached!
Eric, (bbs.trailersailor.com)
The Sandpiper is 18.5 long, retractable keel, very easy to
rig etc, basically everything you seem to want, in a sailboat. They're fine
craft.
Kengoodings, (www.sailnet.com)
Very dry and seaworthy. Easily handled by one skipper in
varying wind and weather conditions. Extremely high freeboard and cockpit
coamings combined with single lifelines, stern and bow pulpits, give a good
sense of security and you will rarely get wet. Even when the bow buries itself
in green water from a passing ferry or salmon boat the cockpit coamings give
excellent protection as well as being great backrests.
Easily launched, as the keel retracts fully into the hull. This boat has a
gently rounded bottom, protected by two keelsons and draws only 10 inches of
water with keel retracted. I have cruised it in Georgian Bay's North Channel as well as
a 400 mile trip along the north shore of Lake Ontario between Toronto and the
Kingston area.
Lots of space in four under berth lockers for tools, gear
and food. I have retro-fitted a Porta-Pottie into the fwd part of the cabin.
An opening forehatch provides great ventilation when sleeping. There is even a
chain locker which will hold a danforth or plough anchor, 20 ft of chain and
225 ft of nylon rode. There is a robust bow roller to handle the chain and
rode.
This boat won't win any races, but it will provide you and a small family with
lots of safe, dry, sailing/cruising fun!
R.M., This Side Up
The
Sandpiper is the smartest pocket cruiser/trailor sailor ever designed under 20
feet. It is roomy, bright, exceptionally well built, and actually a decent
sailor! Our Sandpiper was one exceptionally pampered example, it was built in 86, but had very little use for her first 12 years or
so. For 7 or 8 years now, she has been the pride and joy of this family, and
is recognized as one of the best maintained boats at our yacht club. Most of her
winters, (and a few years with no use) were
spent in a garage, so there is no gelcoat fading.
I am often asked if she is new! There are no leaks, no hairline cracks
anywhere.
GEM, (www.by-the-sea.com)
Designed
in England during the early 1970's for coastal sailing, and later manufactured
in Canada for the North American market, the Sandpiper 565 is a high quality,
seaworthy classic sailboat. In fact, all fittings exceed the usual specs for a
sailboat of this size. The resultant durability and dependability means sailing
rich, in enjoyment as well as coin. A scant 5.65 meters in length, the
Sandpiper is easily trailered and sailed by expert and novice alike. She may
be little, but she sails BIG, accommodating four adults easily in both cockpit
and saloon. Generous cockpit coamings, coupled with a broad beam, render the
sailing ride dry and comfortable. A nifty 300lb. keel retracts into the hull,
allowing the boat to float in water a mere 10 inches in depth. As a result,
resting beachside is simple and easy. And these boats are safe, too. Positive
flotation, appropriate sail-to-weight ratios, and a thick fiberglass hull, all
serve to foster a relaxed sense of confidence while sailing. Said differently,
..."they just simply make good old sailing boats". An extensive
support network of enthusiasts is active on the Net. Participants are
energetic, supportive and keen when it comes to providing technical advice, or
just talking about Sandpiper sailing.
 | Cockpit: 7' cockpit (8'
beam), high coamings, and flexing tiller affords high level of comfort.
Easily manages four adults. Visibility is unrestricted. |
| Cabin: Saloon has folding teak table, covering
retractable 300lb. keel. Long settees on port & starboard. V-berth
forward with covered potti. Brochure brags of sleeping four. |
| Construction: hand laid fiberglass, designed in
England for Channel sailing. No osmosis or balsa issues. |
| Handling: Points well. Initially tender, but
catches quickly and remains steady. Maneuvers like a dream in close
quarters. Trailers easily behind a small car. |
| Engine Room: Small outboard does the trick on a
stern bracket. |
|
