posted May 25, 2005 11:04 PM               

After I've had recoup time , I'll fill you in on the details of the trip!

Shoretyus, aka Pat, a Siren sailor was my crew. He had a great time sailing the Sandpiper! If you want to see lots more pics of the cruise, check out the Trailersailor.com forum. Some guys have been posting lots of pics, including some shots of us under sail

Eric

posted May 26, 2005 10:03 AM               

I've got to organize the pics I've taken yet.

Eric http://share.shutterfly.com/action/share/landingA2?i=EeItmrRq2aPPg&x=1&sm=0&sl=0

posted May 30, 2005 06:51 PM               

I've been out of town for a week (Beautiful BC) but I thought I'd give you my belated opinions on Sirens. We looked at them and even knew owners of Sirens. One owner originally had a Sandpiper.

They felt the Siren was faster. The other big plus for them was the centreboard could be raised easier when they sailed over a sandbar near their berth. They didn't sail it overnight so the small cabin didn't matter.

From our side, although the Siren looked faster, it was too much like a dinghy for us. the cockpit seats weren't high enough for comfortable seating when cruising. We wanted more boat. The Sandpiper was about as big as we could get without having to get int a bigger tow vehicle.

In our minds, the Siren was an interesting paradox; nice sailing dinghy, but then they stuck a cabin top on it that was too big (dare I say ugly?). A smaller cuddy would in my mind make it the perfect daysailor. They were trying to make one boat do a few too many things.

We went for the fair lined Sandpiper. It's a very jaunty boat.

posted May 01, 2006 04:06 PM               

I recently subscribed to SCA (a GREAT magazine for us trailer sailors, incidentally!) & had ordered a few back issues, including the Sep/Oct '05 issue (Issue #35). There was an article on the '05 BEER Cruise. Here are some excepts:

quote:

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... A wide variety of small fiberglass cruisers were in attendance -- boats from Catalina, Hunter, MacGregor, O'Day, Precision, and International Marine. They'd traveled from all parts of the United States, and one even came from Canada...

Although this was definitley not a race, whenever 53 sailboats get out on the water together, races will occur. The fleet seemed to break down into three distinct groups. The larger boats... broke away early and established themselves at the front of the pack.

The second group consisted of speedier 17 to 24 foot cruisers...

The third group consisted of boats that were perhaps a bit slower, or whose captains preferred more relaxed cruising. They arrived when they got there and were more interested in having a great time than in matching their boats' speed against the others. Included in this group were a couple of Sanibel 17s, an older Aquarius 23, a MacGregor 19, a Windrose 18, the Peep Hen 14, a MacGregor 22, a Montgomery 15, a Com-Pac 19, a well-sailed Sandpiper 18 from Ontario, and the West Wight Potter 19s...

From "B.E.E.R. Cruise Report" by Ron Hoddinott

---

There was also a nice picture of the fleet with Paradise right in the middle of the shot! That's actually what reminded me he had been there.

Aside from mislabelling us as an 18, I'd say it was a nice mention! "Well-sailed"! Good job, Eric!

posted May 02, 2006 12:36 PM               

Thanks for posting Kevin, and the kind words from everyone. I am humbled!

I know it wasn't a race, but we did sail well, up against other boats in our size range. With so many boats, many skippers left the anchorages early. I was usually one of the last to leave, but never the last to make it to the next anchorage. I liked to take my time, and enjoy my coffee before heading out .

Here's a pic of us on the first day out, taken by one of the West Wight Potter skippers.

I'll have to order this back issue of SCA, and read this article.

Eric

posted May 02, 2006 09:16 PM               

When I was first told of the prices I was quoted at $500.00 but then a few days later I was called and notified that they had made a clerical error. The final damage is $936.00 and that includes winter storage. SYC also required me to get two sponsors which was easily done. Actually I can sponsor you and I can get another person whom I've come to know a little bit as well.

The location on the harbour is great and the scuttlebutt is that Sail Able is in negotiations to re-locate to DYC next year which I think will be a great move.

posted May 03, 2006 04:12 AM               

However I am curious to know what the other sailors thought of the SandPiper as I think you are the only person or at least one of the few on the trailersailor.com board with a Piper. Maybe when I step up from the CL 16 I'll start posting on that board again.