Broad, shallow, open or partly decked center board sailboats originated around 1850 on the east coast. The Sandbagger is the descendant of shoal-draft sloops used in oyster fishing in the shallow waters of New York Bay. The term ” Sandbagger” refers to the use of sandbags to shift the boat’s center of gravity in order to obtain the most power from the sails.

This returning client wanted a modern boat reminiscent of the sandbaggers of the 1890s. These boats were extreme and quite dangerous to sail due to their design and use of sand bags as ballast. The Van Dam team visited Mystic Seaport to review the plans for one of the few replicas available and accepted the challenge to find a way to create a modern design to match the client’s vision.

The entire hull, though it looks classic, was built using modern wood laminate techniques. This allowed for intricate woodworking details like a mahogany centerboard case, a modern laminated tiller, a bowsprit, and boomkin. Structural elements were crafted with modern composites and metals, while hand-selected woodwork adorned the cockpit coaming, toe rail, and scuppers, finished with state-of-the-art sealants and paints.

“We might get five boats trailing you all around the lake,” says the owner of Tattler II. “It’s a way to enjoy lake sailing history while having a great time on the water. There is no boat like it.”

For more information on this boat, check out this write up about Tattler II by our friends at Stephens Waring Design.