posted April 05, 2005 03:41 PM               

Trailering is a great attribute of the Sandpiper. She's easy to rig and launch. For me, I live in an area that affords me many great sailing destinations, within a couple hours drive. I've lately taken to trying out different locations to sail and explore. Usually however, I must make "plans" to go out. I do not just go out for a quick 2-4 hour sail, like I could if I were slipped. It is usually for a minimum of a whole day. Rigging and trailering are easy, but still a necessary evil after a long day on the water. Many times guests and crew are tired and want to run to the pub, or go home. Packing up from a daysail seems more of a chore than it does after a great 2 or 3 day weekend out. Rigging and launching are more of a hassle if you single hand(but easily done with practice). If you want to sail the very next day from the same place, you'll pay guest slip fees for overnighting. Having said that, if you have the time, anchoring out, or visiting another marina for the night is nice as well.

Trailering means my boat is always in my driveway and kept very clean and shiney ready for her next sail. Any maintenance is done right at home, not a drive to the marina. You don't have to worry if you forgot something when you show up at the marina, 30 minutes away .

I would say, if you want lots of tiller time, keep her in a slip for a season or two. Since you say the marina is a couple of streets away, why wouldn't you keep her there? Guaranteed you'll sail more often and gain sailing experience faster. When you get used to the boat, start trailering to different lakes. Trailering to the same launch ramp all the time will feel time consuming and boring. The Sandpiper is very well suited for travelling.
Good luck and have a great season, whatever you decide to do.

Eric

posted April 05, 2005 04:47 PM               

We bought Shortstay last July, our first boat, and if you're anything like me, you'll likely find yourself visiting here often, so I'd like to encourage you to register here.

Eric makes very good arguments pointing out the pros & cons of either option. The only thing I might add is if you trailer, you don't have to bottom paint.

I trailer because firstly, well, I'm cheap. I also like the flexibility to sail at different places. We live in mid-VT on the NH border. The closest, best sailing is Lake Sunapee, NH (I posted a report on that venue late last year, if you're interested), but we also trailer to/sail off CT on LI Sound, where we grew up. We plan to go up to Champlain this season (perhaps we could hook up?) as well as Lake Winnipesaukee, NH and perhaps Lake George, NY. We also have a VT State Park season pass so we may check out other places like Lake Bomoseen.

If you look at some of the recent threads, you'll find a link to the 'Piper rigging manual. It will fill you in on the correct procedure. It's not all that onerous & after you do it a few times, you develop your own rhythm/sequencing.

All that said, I wouldn't mind the ease of having a slip somewhere!

Looking forward to seeing you here often!

posted April 05, 2005 08:36 PM               

I'm from Ste Foy. This is my 5th boat. Eric and all the guy made a clear explanation on the situation they all lived.

As for myself, I have 5 marinas within a range of 20 minutes. I choose one (Neuville) wich is quite small. Only 75 member but it is more like a family.

Like I've read, BBQ and a beer with the boys around are always welcome. Last year Windroos was anchored on Lake Temiscouata a 3 hours ride. I took it off from may till sept.

It is time consuming and risky to rig the boat everytime you want to sail. I will be payin 44$ a foot. It's all right with me since that all I have to do is start the engine and sail my day.

If you need the sandpiper manual, let me know I'll send you the .pdf file.

Au plaisir

posted April 05, 2005 09:42 PM               

I'm confused a bit by your remark, John, that it's risky to re-rig. How do you mean?

posted April 05, 2005 10:01 PM               

Shortwaves' mast step is a tabernacle that allows the mast to pivot.

Mast hoist in progress. Dad winching up mast. Son hamming it up for the camera.

Voila! We're ready to go. Wishbone rig stores on deck.

This summer we are planning a few cruises in Muskoka where we will be lowering the mast to pass under bridges. We will sail Lake Rosseau to the Joseph River, motor up the river with mast down, then raise it again as we enter Lake Joseph.

D'Arcy “Shortwave”

posted April 05, 2005 10:06 PM               

Otherwise if you are 2, it is a piece of cake. Good time also to inspect everything before you step the mast. I will only find the corrupted cable at the end of the season or when it fall on my head. Don't hesitate, at first sign of a sigle frayed cable, change it. 70$ but what's taht compare with all the damage saved.

Sometime my buddy and I are using the piper like a HobbyCat. Stapping ourself out of the boat (trapeze!!) in heavy wind and racing against my brother Tanzer 22. Yep, we won many times.

posted April 06, 2005 02:44 PM              

BTW,I can't think of a better boat for this task. The piper is certainly the biggest and best little boat around.IMO,everything else is too small or too big for sailing or trailering.

posted April 08, 2005 07:04 PM               

What a great idea to raise that mast. We surely have to find a way when we are alone. I'v done it many time by myself but it is a little bit scary.

The problem rise with the turnbuckles. I figured that I will tie them to the hand rail with a very thin line wich is easy to break. So, when I raise the mast they will be in the up position. As soon as a certain tension are on them, the line will let go and voila.

Sure your idea is more secure. Will wait for your test and maybe some close picture of all the parts required if you want of course.

I have seen the tabernacle on the above post. Just can't figure how the base of the mast can be place in it. I have a U shape base plate on the mast in wich a bolt from the tabernacle goes in. It must be entering from the back in a sliding motion toward the front then the mast ca be raise.

I can't see that in the picture above. It seems to me as the mast is coming from the front. Maybe in don't understand.

Hum!! gotta take a second look at that pict.

It is nice to go single handle. I like to take a snack in the afternoon and go for a nap in the cabin an hour or so then back sailing. It change your day. Sleeping one night away in a little bay can be fun also. Wakening early in the morning and have a nice breakfast. Looking at the boats around you and feeling the warmth of the sun on your face. What a great time.

Ciao
p.s: would you have a giant snow melter you don't use?