In October 2014 Euan took Dulcibella, Amity #3, to Sydney for the Balmain Regatta. He wrote about his trip, and how much fun he and his crewmate had, for the January 2015 edition of the RQYS Mainsheet magazine.

Download and read the article here.

 

 

 

 

From Bow 2 Stern, Issue 1, 2014.

“The Amity Classic answers every element of her brief. When first seen you could be forgiven for thinking the boat is simply a fibreglass Couta Boat, with its gunter rig, however the real influences behind the boat were the old Moreton Bay Netting boats, and their cousins the Mullet Boats of New Zealand. Unlike the much deeper fuller Couta Boat hulls, the Amity is relatively flat bottomed. The advantage here is the boat can be floating in 200mm of water with the keel up…”

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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

We have recently purchased a new Amity sail boat from Australiawide – the second Amity to be built and now named Porthaethwy. We have been delighted with both the process of buying the boat and, now that we have taken delivery, with the boat itself. While we have only been in possession of Porthaethwy for a few weeks, we are delighted with our purchase and feel that we have acquired a quality boat that will give us enjoyment for years to come.

Euan MacDonald and the other members of the Amity team who built Porthaethwy are very attentive to detail and to the particular needs of a new boat owner. During the construction phase Euan was in frequent contact to discuss different options and what would best suit us. His knowledge and passion for traditional sail boats and sailing is very evident.

The team at Australiawide are friendly and generous with their time. We also had the opportunity to meet with the boat builders and the sail maker during the process who, like Euan, have the same enthusiasm for the new Amity.

The post sales service is excellent. Euan and the team are continuing to ensure that any slight adjustments required are undertaken (not that there have been many of these).

We look forward to many happy days sailing on Moreton Bay and to maintaining contact with those who have been involved in providing us with our new boat.

Tim and Ann Spencer

Sept 2013 BRIBIE CUP and Pumicestone Passage Cruise

At 20ft with a gaff rig, the Amity may not be every ones first choice for a yacht race in gale force winds, but not to be deterred Euan MacDonald and co-hort Jeremy Paterson set sail for a weekend of adventure on Amity #1 – PIPER! Heavy winds on Saturday forced a small fleet of hardened race yachts to heavily reef down before tacking north through the Bay to the finish off Bribie Island. Many skippers didn’t expect PIPER the Amity Classic to start, never mind finish. But at 2:30pm the plucky little boat rounded South Point off Bribie in over 30 knots of wind (on the nose) to finish the race.

Drama had unfolded throughout the race, with one crew member on another boat being carted off by Ambulance, and another competitor limp in under motor with a broken mast. With just 2 crew the Amity completed the course in just over 5hours with howling winds on the nose, one reef in the mainsail and small jib. “She behaved exceptionally well” Euan said “and was incredibly light on the tiller with some weather helm in gusts over 30 knots, I can’t ask for better than that”!

After presentations (PIPER came 4th) the crew dropped the mast, slipped quietly under Bribie Bridge and continued to sail up the Pumicestone Passage all the way up to Caloundra on the Sunshine Coast! Sleeping in swags on board and on the banks of the Pumicestone Passage, the three day adventure was a real testament to how these small yachts can safely be used for fun and adventure.

The Amity is far from a prettied up day-sailer. Amity boats are designed for expeditions, they are solidly built in fiberglass and naturally self righting. What’s more they are self-bailing and with collision bulkhead and sealed buoyancy also unsinkable. With that kind of confidence Amity Boats are the natural choice for those seeking adventure in a small package.