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Author
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Topic: Seaworthiness
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La Chasse Galerie
JuniorMember
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posted February 12, 2004 12:28 AM
   
I purchased my Sandpiper last summer and got a chance to take her through her paces during the month of August. Although I encountered some noteworthy days, I have yet to have had a chance to truly test the boat in serious winds. In anticipation of the upcoming summer, I was therefore wondering if any of you have ever had a chance to test the Sandpiper's temper in bad weather or severe wind conditions. Since my recent experience mostly involves dinghy racing and that it has been years since I last seriously sailed a keel boat, I was thinking that some of you might relate a few personal experiences with their Sandpiper...what's the heel resistance/stiffness in serious winds and gusts, what's your personal comfort zone concerning how much weather you're ready to handle, lee helm or weather helm problems, sail area preferences...Anyways, looking forward to hearing from some of you. Always fun to reminisce on sailing stories in the dead of winter!
IP: 66.131.117.143 |
Hyprstitch
Member
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posted February 14, 2004 12:26 AM
I have had my Sanpiper in pretty adverse conditions. What a great boat. Last year at Carter Lake I got her up to 7.6 miles an hour, according to my GPS. Had water touching the bottom of my starboard window. We were looking for just a little more we lost the wind. On Lake Granby, last sail of the year, we had the best wind of the year. My friend Larry was crewing with me. We were cruising about 6 miles an hour when I noticed big wind coming. And I let him know to get ready. He said I thought we had big wind. I watched the lake start white capping toward us. The wind hit us hard, we just trimed the sails and kept on cruising. What a rush!! As soon as you realize this is a really stable boat, its easy to have fun on it. Sid
IP: 152.163.253.101 |
Eric
Member
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posted February 14, 2004 05:39 PM
Sid, you're my kinda sailor 
Never hurts to wash down the side decks once in a while eh!!Eric IP: 130.63.85.93 |
Hyprstitch
Member
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posted February 15, 2004 12:48 AM
On Lake Granby it was late in October. The Water was cold, as was the wind. Not to often your getting wet on a Sandpiper. This day we were. It almost felt like being on the ocean. Waves were pretty big. The senery was beautiful, leaves changing, blue skies, Altitude about 9000 feet. Some mountians already white capped. Colorado has got to be one of the most beautiful places to sail. Sid
[This message has been edited by Hyprstitch (edited February 15, 2004).] IP: 152.163.253.101 |
Darcy
Member
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posted February 16, 2004 11:06 AM
Great discussion guys. Sounds like very exciting sailing! Given the short waterline length of the Sandpiper I would think the top hull speed is only around 5 knots or less (1.34 x the square root of the waterline).Are you guys surfing to get up to those speeds or are you actually planning? D'Arcy IP: 64.229.227.119 |
Hyprstitch
Member
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posted February 17, 2004 12:40 AM
I've had the boat over 7 miles an hour 3 or four times this last summer. But its always been hard to get there. We never keep a steady wind out here. But when ever I have a chance,I go for it. The water beneath the boat is loud, and we are leaving a wake. I have a death grip on the main, ready to release it if I need. In order for my crew to pull in the Jib just a little tighter I need to turn the boat into the wind and then back.The tiller is hard to hold in position. And all aboard have a giant smile on our faces. But here in Colorado, the wind can shift 180 degrees with no warning. Makes it that much more fun. Sid IP: 205.188.209.171 |
Darcy
Member
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posted February 18, 2004 12:17 AM
Hyprstitch:The shifty mountain lakes can be very exciting when it blows. You can be flipped going both ways. I've been nicely planning along on a beam reach when a gust / shift hit suddenly putting me on a dead run sailing by the lee. Instant death role when your in a Laser. When going upwind hiked out flat and the same gust / shift hits: You're on the opposite tack! I have a suggestion when you see the gust comming: Rather than heading up in anticipation of the gust you might try laying off. Initially your crew doesn't have to get the jib in as tight. You will then begin to accelerate from laying off in the gust. As this happens the apparent wind moves forward causing the sails to luff slightly: That's when you sheet in (It's easier then because the jib is luffing). I think you'll find the boat is more responsive (and moving faster.) The boat also tends to keep flatter so there isn't as much pull on the rudder. In reading past forum posts you begin to realize what a well built tough little boat the Sanpiper is. The bow plate is really solid; as is the construction. Having a good boat is very important when you're sailing in the heavy stuff. That also means your boat is going to be around a long time. Much longer than some of the newer "disposable " boats that seem to last only a season or two. D'Arcy IP: 64.229.224.11 |
Hyprstitch
Member
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posted February 18, 2004 12:52 AM
I'll give that a try. To bad I got to work tomorrow, going to be 65 and windy here. Carter should be free of ice. Sid IP: 64.12.97.12 |
whited
unregistered
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posted February 18, 2004 10:03 AM
Darcy...
When are you going to seriously start hunting for a Sandpiper?
Do most sailors up your way launch in April or May?IP: 142.177.17.210 |
Ken
Member
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posted February 18, 2004 10:28 AM
I can answer that one......dinghy sailors seem to get going during the week after the keelboats are launched by crane. Launch day for big boats is typically between April 24 and May 1 at our clubs.
Dinghys in cottage country will be even later I think. When does the ice finally go out up at your cottage D'Arcy?------------------
"Never be afraid to try something new: Professionals built the Titanic
And amateurs built the Ark." IP: 141.117.228.117 |
Darcy
Member
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posted February 18, 2004 05:26 PM
I'd say there are two types of sailors here: Guys like Ken and I who will be out in early May (April if we get good weather). Then there are those who don't really get into it until the end of June. They can miss some really beautiful weather.I was standing on the ice up north this morning; supervising construction of a boathouse. As the weather has been a tad cold the ice is thick. The ice breakup is quite varied depending on how warm March and April are. Right now it feels like it's going to be a good solid freeze; but that can all change in a month. A small sign of hope is they are starting to let water out of the lake system now in anticipation of spring. The ice is slowly moving down. Re: Sandpiper purchase. I'm recovering from our house money pit issues so savings are now going where they should: A Boat Fund. If business goes well I'll be seriously looking this summer. D'Arcy IP: 64.229.225.10 |
whited
unregistered
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posted February 18, 2004 08:25 PM
The lakes are frozen pretty good here also.
Down at Porters Lake where my inlaws have cabins, two yahoos crossed the lake in their pickup truck.
They hit a soft spot and went through. Luckly for them a neighbour heard the screaming, called for help and then ventured out on the ice to rescue the two.
Of course this was late at night.
Those two were ready to slip under and knew it.IP: 142.177.17.210 |
Hyprstitch
Member
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posted February 18, 2004 08:52 PM
I hope to be on the lake, late March early April. Last year got out in March.Every year someone dies around here from breaking through a frozen lake. This year its only happened once, and that one to many. Little boy, parents turned took their eyes off of him for just a minute. Sid IP: 64.12.97.12 |
Ken
Member
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posted February 22, 2004 05:54 PM
I'm....ummmmm....still in the water. Did I miss haulout last October? Then again there are 50 other boats in our marina that missed the crane too.
Believe it or not...some sailors leave their inflatables and fibreglass rowing tenders in the water all year. There's nothing more pathetic looking than a 1/2 sunk rowboat!Come the middle of April the extra power cables and bow lines will be stowed, and the fleet will begin to flee the grip of their winter refuge. There's reportedly a grand feeling when the boat is free of the land and heading out through the gap in the breakwall toward open water. Ken and Lynn still warm & cozy aboard....Silverheels III ------------------
"Never be afraid to try something new: Professionals built the Titanic
And amateurs built the Ark." IP: 141.117.228.252 |
Eric
Member
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posted March 02, 2004 03:03 AM
Hey guys, this is the best I could do!
There wasn't a lot of wind, but just enough to slightly wet the rail! I love sailing my Sandpiper, as the grin shows!
This was my last sail of '03, in October, with the sun setting on the port side.
 IP: 130.63.85.93 |
whited
unregistered
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posted March 02, 2004 11:01 AM
Eric..
Will the boom pass over your head while you are standing up in the cockpit?
I'm sure it would while seated.IP: 142.177.18.185 |
Canadian Sailor
unregistered
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posted March 02, 2004 04:33 PM
I'd hope so.------------------
Canadian Sailor ;)
"Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way, when you
criticize them, you're a mile away and you have their shoes." IP: 206.172.142.160 |
Robert D
Member
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posted March 02, 2004 11:41 PM
Great photo Eric!!!!
Robert
Celtic Kiss #2120
IP: 142.59.62.156 |
Eric
Member
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posted March 03, 2004 02:02 AM
Hi all!
Don, the boom easily passes over sitting, but not standing. Have to duck! Come to think of it, I probably duck when sitting too! Natural reflex  . However, when tied up or at anchor, I can raise the boom with the topping lift, to be able to stand erect!  Eric
IP: 130.63.85.93 |
Darcy
Member
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posted March 03, 2004 09:47 AM
Marvellous photo Eric. Do you have a back stay? I know some of the Sandpiper sailors have taken it off because it gets in the way. Apparently the rig is strong enough to take the loads without a back stay.
D'Arcy IP: 65.92.96.15 |
Eric
Member
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posted March 04, 2004 03:47 AM
Hi D'Arcy, thanks!
I do not have a backstay on my Sandpiper. I do know some have them, but I think they're add ons. I believe a previous owner of my boat tried the idea. The leach of the sail would make contact with the stay, unless a modification of the masthead is made, to be able to move the top of the backstay aft.
The swept back spreaders and shrouds carries the mast well.
I believe this type of rig is fairly common on smaller boats, like the Sandpiper. Eric IP: 130.63.85.93 |
whited
unregistered
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posted March 04, 2004 10:35 AM
That's right. My 17' Siren didn't have a backstay.IP: 142.177.18.185 |
La Chase Galerie
unregistered
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posted March 04, 2004 05:28 PM
I have the original manual for my sandpiper at home and the boat did not originaly come with a backstay. I dont see why someone would want to add it aftermarket if the rig wasn't designed for it...IP: 24.202.226.64 |
Ken
Member
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posted March 05, 2004 10:04 AM
My Sandpiper had a "Y" shaped split backsyay. It was supported at the stern by two ugly chromed brackets. The "Y" part got in your way & hair when fitting the rudder and lifting/lowering the outboard motor. My original owner flew a spinnaker from the top of the mast so guess he thought that the masthead needed some support from the stern. He also had a masthead forestay. It interfered greatly with the spinnaker and jib. After a few years I removed the masthead forestay as well. Now we're back to the original fractional rig they designed. I have now sailed with the original rigging setup for 13 years now, in all kinds of weather and seas....with no problems.Is it spring yet? ...Ken IP: 141.117.228.250 |
