Sandpiper 565

[Greenman]

Does anyone have any experience with the Sandpiper 565? http://www.sandpiper565.com/specifications.htm

It looks like a great starter boat that you could spend a night or two on if you wanted, it's trailerable and beachable by the looks of it.

Whatcha think? I may go look at one later this week if the gods (my wife) are in a good mood.  ;D

**EDIT** After e-mailing her several Sandpiper photos she has agree'd we should go look tomorrow. Could be fun.

[Frank]

I owned and sailed 2 of them. Great trailersailor!! Small deep cockpit with a decent bridgedeck,small forward anchorwell,good sitting headroom,bright inside,nice sized interior footwell.Most owners put a fold out table on top of the lifting keel trunk.They were fairly lightly built..but no problems common to the hull or deck.Problem ereas were the lifting keel.It went straight up/down threaded on a big naval bronze jack screw.The keel itself was fiberglass with weight added (lead by memory) inside.The fiberglass threads wore through time. 2nd concern is the kick-up rudder.They were plywood cheeks that rotted through time if left outside and would break with heavy weather helm.Both not serious..and fixable, but places to look.I liked the boat..lots.It felt way bigger than it was yet only drew 10inchs keel-up and was only 1200lbs.Easy to trailer-launch.They are not fast...but not boring either.A great compromise boat to tour different places with.PS..the old roller boom reefing for the main was aweful.I think they changed it to jiffy later on.CL boatworks is still in business and although not in production...still makes parts.Stats are LOA 18ft 6in  LWL 15ft  beam 7ft 1in  draft 10in to 2ft,10in ballast 300lb SA 167 ft