BOAT REVIEW: MARSHALL SANDERLING

In continuous production for nearly a half-century, the Marshall Sanderling proves you don't need to buy used to own a classic.

There are good reasons for the endurance of traditional American catboats. These hard-working craft that first appeared in the mid-1800s were designed to cope with the strong winds, square chop and perilous shoals around Cape Cod and beyond. They were stable, relatively fast and capable of carrying large payloads. These very same virtues make catboats popular today for daysailing, cruising-even racing.

The catboat-as most of us know it-came to life in 1962, when Breck Marshall did something few boatbuilders had yet done-he began producing catboats in fiberglass. His first design was an 18-footer he called Sanderling after the New England shorebird. Sanderling was based on a wooden prototype designed by Pop Arnold in 1941. Marshall wrote: "The original was not a pretty boat. She had a flat sheer with a kind of tumblehome ram bow in her. She had a square house and a marconi rig."

After a long time modeling the boat-there were no drawings from which to work-Marshall and his foreman constructed what they thought looked like the perfect catboat. The new fiberglass Sanderling had a strong sheer, crowned cabin and an underbody more modern than most traditional catboats. The neoclassical Sanderling was born.

Marshall wrote that they built a couple of Sanderlings-in New Boston, New Hampshire-and "got one ready just in time for the boat show in February, 1963." Potential buyers were reluctant to buy a "plastic" boat-let alone one built in New Hampshire. They built eleven boats that year. Only four sold.

The Marshall company was rejuvenated when Breck moved the operation to waterfront South Dartmouth, Massachusetts-"the natural habitat of catboats." Forty years later the Sanderling is still in its element-and still in production. When Breck Marshall passed away in 1976, John Garfield purchased the company. Time and technology have moved on, but when we asked Breck's son Jeff Marshall, who works for Garfield, what has changed with the Sanderling he said, "Not much!" Seems there's little need for alteration when you're building a classic. "Certainly the hull laminate hasn't changed" Marshall says, "The inboard diesel was a change, but that was twenty years ago, and we've had hinged masts for ten. The biggest change came last year with the release of our daysailer model with molded cockpit."

Tradition has been good to the Marshall company; they've built more than 770 Sanderlings and 1500 boats in total. Jeff Marshall says catboats remain popular, as evidenced by the large crowds that attend catboat association meetings and other catboat events, "The enthusiasm is definitely there." We had a chance to sail a 1990 model with skipper Hank Benjamin and asked other Sanderling owners for comments.

PERFORMANCE:

"The boat performs very well in light airs. A very low wind velocity will get this boat moving and keep it moving before just about any of its competition in PHRF racing. In a 6-8 knot breeze-if sailed well-it should-with its high handicap-win many races." Hank Benjamin, 1990 Jack Tar.

"Catboats, and this boat in particular, carry a lot of sail and can perform well in all sorts of wind, especially light air." Stephen Ente, former owner 1985 Sand Dollar.

We were fortunate on our review sail to experience a variety of wind conditions-from nearly dead calm to a steady breeze. The slightest push kept the Sanderling moving along, and it's no wonder-she shows 253 square-feet of Dacron above a 2200-pound displacement (For comparison use the 2000-pound Cape Dory Typhoon which carries 160 sq. ft.). Remember that catboats were originally designed to function without the use of auxiliary power. Owners claim Sanderling is a light-air champ. You'll get no argument from us.

With the breeze-and the pull from the tiller-building, we ran the Sanderling through some tacks and jibes at speed. She was responsive and stable throughout. Other than the minor inconvenience of reeling in the lengthy catboat-mainsheet (75 feet total) on jibes, she was easy to handle. The stock Sanderling mainsheet trims from the end of the boom to a standard four-hole cleat aft. While this arrangement keeps the cockpit open, we'd be quick to do as Hank Benjamin has done, and reroute the sheet to a cam cleat on the aft end of the centerboard trunk. This is especially appropriate for a boat where a speedy release of the mainsheet might be important.

As for weatherliness, we heard everything from 45º to 60º when we asked owners how high she'll point. Reality is probably somewhere in between. Most told us the Sanderling's gaff rig performs nearly as well as the average marconi rig-particularly in lighter air. When the breeze is up the Sanderling will need to be reefed and performance fades perceptibly.

TRAILERING AND LAUNCHING:

"The Sanderling is as wide as I care to take on the highway, but it did not strain my Astro Van to pull or stop." Stephen Ente, former owner 1985 Sand Dollar.

"The mast is heavy, but the rest of the rigging is very simple, just one stay, two halyards and one sheet. No winches." Joe Myerson, 1972 Bayberry.

At 2200 pounds (not counting the optional inboard and other gear), the Sanderling trails well behind a full-size vehicle. Hank Benjamin's Jack Tar came with a single-axle Load Rite trailer. He says the trailer has always kept straight and behaved well, but he'd feel more comfortable with a double-axle and trailer brakes.

Owners were quick to tell us "forget about trailersailing" if you've got the older Sanderling sans hinged mast (though apparently older masts can be upgraded with the help of the factory). With the hinged mast, however, this catboat makes a reasonably convenient trailerable.

Marshall's hinged, painted aluminum mast is designed so that one man can detach the forestay, hug and lift the mast, then slowly lower it down to the cockpit mast crutch. Hank Benjamin says the process is more difficult than it sounds: "I've found it almost impossible to hug, lift up and lower down the mast in that manner. The mast is just too snug in the socket to allow this . . . The design is, however, clever and well constructed. The mast has a half-circle handhold cavity on its front that one uses as he tries to hug and lift. If due to some miracle I was able to lift the mast in this way, it would start to fall toward the stern before I could change my position . . . I argue strongly that this is not a one-man job as explained by Marshall, but a two-man job."

Benjamin has come up with a unique modification that makes mast lowering easier: "I have a custom aluminum wrench, 8 inches in length, that has at its end a male equivalent of the female handhold. By inserting this wrench and turning it 90º I can now easily raise the mast up and the second man can easily lower it down."

Raising the mast was unanimously described as a one-person job. If lazy jacks, topping lift and halyards are free, one stands on the cabin top with the mast on his shoulder and slowly walks it up. Wiggle it a bit and it drops it into the socket-then attach the forestay.

Launching is said to be reasonably simple. The Sanderling only draws 17" with the board up, but owners suggest tongue extensions and/or a steep ramp because of the rudder's depth.

SEAWORTHINESS:

"These boats are surprisingly seaworthy, though not necessarily comfortable. They slap around in heavy seas. I would not take a catboat into blue water-that's not what they're made for." Joe Myerson, 1972 Bayberry.

"This is a great boat for choppy bays in windy areas. Very dry. Weather helm builds up letting you know it's time to reef. Practice gibing in calm weather." David N. Jost, 1968 Magnificat.

"It performs well in heavy weather. After taking a double reef one can also, of course, lower the gaff somewhat to further de-power the rig if needed." Hank Benjamin, 1990 Jack Tar.

The extreme beam and high-quality construction are enough to inspire tremendous confidence in the Sanderling. Like most small boats she was designed for near-shore work, but in this arena she's certainly well equipped-and let's face it-time tested.

We'll admit to an unfounded paranoia that the Sanderling-precisely because she's built so solidly-might wrest control from her skipper if a sudden breeze, the enormous sail and her tree-trunk tiller conspired.

Hank Benjamin describes Sanderling helm balance like this: "Up to 10 knots of breeze close-hauled, it has a very nice balanced helm with a small weather force to it. Put it on a close reach in a wind 12 knots or more and the weather helm requires you to brace your feet and pull with both hands." Catboat owners often eschew jibing in conditions that might not concern the sloop skipper.

One owner called the Sanderling "totally dry" and others said she was "very wet." Owner Stephen Ente told us that even with the small dodger the Sanderling is wet in choppy seas-precisely the reason he moved up to the Marshall 22. We didn't take any spray during our mild-conditions sail. The cockpit is self-bailing.

Ente also told us: "This boat is probably as forgiving as any boat can be. It does have a weather helm, but if you are overpowered the boat will head up and make things obvious. I felt confident at all times on this boat and would take it on overnight trips through Woods Hole to Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket-with a review of the weather forecast."

Sanderlings built without the optional inboard have positive foam flotation.

ACCOMMODATIONS:

"Is comfortable for two but fairly tight." Hank Benjamin, 1990 Jack Tar. Owners described accommodations as "comfortable for two" - no surprise for an 18-footer. What is surprising is that the Sanderling can handle five or even six adults for a daysail. Don't let the 18'2" L.O.A. fool you-this is a fairly big boat. Behind the louvered teak doors are two comfortable berths and minimal sitting headroom. The opening front porthole is a nice touch that allows some ventilation, and there's a designated spot for the head that one owner said, "only a contortionist" would use repeatedly. Hank Benjamin replaced his with a trusty bucket. Camp stoves and portable coolers are common accessories. We didn't find a lot of storage, but we liked the fold-up cabin tables; and the shelves above the berths are nice-though they do interfere slightly with sleeping space. There's plenty of interior volume to work with if a regular cruiser wanted to modify in that direction.

QUALITY:

"These boats are built like tanks. The workmanship is outstanding, and Marshall Marine stands behind its product." Joe Myerson, 1972 Bayberry.

"Boat is constructed very well. Has a good gel coat and there is no evidence of cloth pattern showing through anywhere. There is some moisture around portholes that may have to be looked at sooner or later. Both plywood rear sections of cabin dividing it from the cockpit have had some water rot which I had to carve out and repair with epoxy and fiberglass cloth... I think the boat, which is now 13-years-old, is in excellent condition and was extremely well built." Hank Benjamin, 1990 Jack Tar.

"Quality? Yes, yes, yes! This boat is custom built. None is made on speculation and each has its own personality and soul based on the needs of the owner." Stephen Ente, former owner 1985 Sand Dollar.

Marshall clearly takes pride in the construction of their craft-and they should. The traditional nature of the design means there is slightly more wood to keep an eye on, but quality and durability are first rate. The heavily-glassed hull and deck are glued and through-bolted with stainless bolts at the mahogany rub rail. Everything looks and feels solid. It's a tired cliche, but the Marshall name really has become synonymous with quality.

COMPROMISES:

"(A new owner) will have to get used to the weather helm issue, more work and attention to raising the mainsail with its gaff, etc. And a few peculiarities concerning the handling. But these, in my mind, are very minor compromises." Hank Benjamin, 1990 Jack Tar.

There is a temptation to call a classic catboat like Sanderling "simple" and "effortless," but for her many strengths, ease-of-use and simplicity might not be the most notable. Weather helm can be a handful, and jibing sometimes nerve-wracking. The Sanderling's series of blocks, halyards, eyestraps and hoops will take the newcomer some time. And while there's only one sail to think about-at 253 sq. ft.- it's a lot to think about; what author Tony Gibbs calls "the ever-present question of reefing." What's fascinating about catboat owners is that the very things we'll mention as compromises only seem to lend more appeal.

The Yanmar diesel inboard is Sanderling's most expensive option-but it's more efficient and far better looking than an outboard dangling from the transom. The inboard, however, necessitates a large box in the center of the cockpit well. It makes a decent table but cramps foot room. Outboard owners don't have the box, but they sometimes have to help the mainsheet clear the outboard during tacks.

Even her builders will tell you Sanderling was designed more for daysailing than cruising, and to some degree her spartan cabin reflects this bias. But owner Stephen Ente makes sense when he says "It's more financially rewarding to charter a 40-foot boat for the one week I'll actually cruise, and own a smaller, less expensive boat for my regular afternoon daysails with friends and the occasional weekend trip."

MODIFICATIONS:

Jiffy reefing, additional reef points, solar vents, and the addition of an electrical system, were the only modifications mentioned. Since each boat is "made-to-order," few modifications appear necessary to satisfy owners.

VALUE:

"They are pricey, yet hold their value in the market. People are always looking for them." David N. Jost, 1968 Magnificat.

"A joy to sail, looking forward to weekend cruising, maybe a little racing. Boat gets many compliments." William D. Webster, 1974 Annie.

With a base price of $27,500, the rugged Sanderling won't be called "entry level" - nor should she. This is a boat for the experienced sailor. We suspect it takes years on the water to properly appreciate a boat like the this, but those who do finally come to Sanderling-do so for good reason.		  
SMALL CRAFT ADVISOR PO BOX 1343, PORT TOWNSEND, WA 98368 - 360-379-1930