There has been a lot of excitement amongst our rabid sailers over the gift of this boat and while it is truly a magnificent gift for us, the story of why she was given is less joyful. Her builders were Howard and Sally Williams, beginning in 1987. Meanwile Howard built quite a few other smaller boats, many of which are still at Sally's in Tobermory. Howard passed away last year at age 80 with the Sandpiper essentially constructed but not fully finished. There are no spars - we are researching what rig to use - the plans show a few choices but gaff sloop seems most likely - and there are no fittings, motive power (calls for 1 cyl Yanmar), tiller or interior.
A special thanks to Udo Nixdorf of Georgetown and Tobermory for putting all this together and being a good neighbour to Sally!
Yesterday was our scheduled day for picking up the Sandpiper so Chris Rogers, George Graham, Grant Reynolds and I took a Ferris Beuler Day Off to fetch her....
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| Sandpiper just emerging into first water - it is raining! |
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| Chris, Udo, Sally, MB, Grant and George |
After a real neigbourhood pot luck lunch and sharing lovely storys of boating, we are off with Sally standing in the road waving...
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| She trailed beautifully and got lots of attention at our Timmy stop in Owen Sound |
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| Safe home to the boatshop, now we just need to make room inside... |
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| Done! but a bit tight. |
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| George and Grant sponge out the rain water. |
So thank you Sally for a wonderful gift that will see some kids get sailing! Meanwhile we need to scrounge a few little things including the Yanmar, brass port lights, sitka spruce, deck fittings, etc, etc. Should becoming part of the Sandpiper's future appeal to you - come on out!
Tim's in OWEN SOUND! I should have come along! Grr!
ReplyDeleteSo, what are whereabouts now? Has she been completed?
ReplyDeleteNice. :>)
ReplyDelete