Broad, shallow, open or partly decked centerboard sailboats originated around 1850 on the East Coast. The sandbagger is a descendant of the shoal-draft sloops used for 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, maximizing power from the sails.

A returning client envisioned a modern boat reminiscent of the sandbaggers of the 1890s. These boats were extreme and notoriously dangerous to sail due to their design and reliance on sandbags as ballast. To bring this vision to life, the Van Dam team visited Mystic Seaport to review the plans for one of the few existing replicas, then accepted the challenge of creating a modern design that honored the spirit of these historic vessels.

The hull, though classic in appearance, was crafted using modern wood laminate techniques, allowing for intricate details like a mahogany centerboard case, a modern laminated tiller, a bowsprit, and a boomkin. Structural elements were built with advanced composites and metals, while hand-selected woodwork adorned the cockpit coaming, toe rail, and scuppers, all 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.