I have recently purchased Amity number 01 Sandpiper. She was the first off the mould and has been owned and sailing by the principal and prime mover of Amity Boats, Euan MacDonald. I just love the boat. I started sailing in dinghies at age 6 have had 50 years on the water experience and I have found she is quite exceptional.
My wife and I moved to the northern Gold Coast 6 months ago. We live on the Broadwater and have a much larger classic motor-sailor, but my wife was becoming reluctant to be out on the boat because of the anxiety that traffic engendered and I was missing sailing for the simple love of sailing. I had to consider my options.
My wish list for an ideal boat included: a responsive sailing yacht, a stable boat for the non-sailors that regularly accompany me, a low maintenance vessel or an easy maintenance vessel, classic looks and some pretty timber, easily sailed solo, capable of a passage to Moreton Bay with up to 3 overnight stays, a shallow draft or better a pivot centreboard boat so that sandbanks are only a temporary annoyance, (also this would facilitate being able to sail or motor in places the “gin palaces” do not use).
Sandpiper has answered every item on my wish list. Every outing I have had the additional pleasure of compliments about her appearance and function. My wife loves the open cockpit sailing and under cover(boom-tent) for lunching. ‘Sandpiper’ is beautifully finished , sails like a witch and has the flexibility to cope with narrow shallow waterways and inexperienced passengers. I am so impressed that I have offered to provide Sandpiper as a demonstrator vessel here on the Broadwater. I am looking forward to the fleet of Amity boats steadily building.
Greg Doolan ‘Sandpiper’ Ephraim Island