Membership & Measurement Certificates Contact Us Rules

We are grateful for the support of Tempus Facility Management in 2023. As a result of their very generous sponsorship we

were able to offer more in 2023 for the National Championships and Burnham Week.

Welcome to the Sandhopper Class British Association

The fleet of 53 boats are mainly based at Thorpe Bay Yacht Club and Maylandsea Bay Sailing Club in Essex 

The Sandhopper, designed in the 1970's by Oliver Lee, still offers excellent sailing and is currently the largest One Design fleet on the Thames Estuary providing:


Racing with crew of two or three.

Leisure sailing with the family.

Bilge keel hull design for drying moorings.

All at a very affordable cost and low maintenance.


The Class Association was reformed in 1997 as the Sandhopper Class British Association following a resurgence of interest in the Class and a strong desire of the owners of the original 40 boats to protect the One Design status.


The Sandhopper is the shallow draft version of the Squib Keelboat. She has the same delightful handling qualities as the Squib, being feather light on the helm at all times and has the added advantage of being able to lay safely on exposed moorings which dry out at low tide, with its lower draft and GRP twin bilge keels.


The underwater lines of the hull are as fine as possible to give good performance in light airs and the sections above the water line are flared out to a generous beam of 1.87m (6’2″) combined with a ballast ratio of 55 gives ample stability and power to carry full sail in the strongest of winds.


Click on this line for the class rules.


2023 Sandhopper Events

We have been building the events over the last couple of years and this year is no exception. Expect welcoming competitive racing, for all experience levels surrounded by great people that just want to have a good time, both on and off the water.

15 & 16 July

2023

MBSC Sandhopper Open

Maylandsea Bay Sailing Club, Welcomes visiting Sandhopper's, Boats, Helms and Crews for the weekend for a fantastic opportunity to sail on the River Blackwater to compete against the Maylansea fleet.

12 & 13 August

2023

Sandhopper National Championships at TBYC

Last year we had 19 boats on the start line at TBYC for what was one of the best years for the National Championships in over a decade,  with visiting boats from Maylandsea in 2021 and 2022.  Can we continue to grow the event back to what it used to be with 30+ on the start line?

26/27/28

August

2023

Burnham Week (end)

Last year we returned to Burnham week for the first time in some 18 years, and what a welcome we were given. Thank you so much to the RCYC and everyone involved with the event, we had 7 boats on the start for all three races. Hopefully can have many more in 2023.

SCBA Membership

Please click on the link below to be taken to our online membership application system.  We request that you complete all details on the form and that you make payment by bank transfer. Membership is from the 1st April to the 31st March each year. Payments are required in the 1st week of April. Thank you for supporting this wonderful class of boat.  

Here are just a few of the 2023 Photos from the MBSC Sandhopper Open , Sandhopper National Championships at TBYC,  Burnham Week & Some of the Sunday Trophy Winners at TBYC.

Who can help you get out and stay on the water?

Suppliers for Sandhoppers

Here are just a few of the recognised suppliers who products have been keeping Sandhoppers in tip top shape

Where are Sandhoppers most seen?

For Sale: Boats, Accessories, Misc

Sandhoppers for Sale

*S152 - TBYC £2500. Contact Polly Plant, pollyplant@hotmail.com

*S46 - Leigh on Sea, £1750. Contact Brian Wells: brianwells1605@gmail.com

* Boat share 50/50 available at TBYC, please contact us for more information.

* Blue boat for sale at TBYC for £3000, please contact us for more details.

* £TBC -S153 - Izzy Mae- Built in 1998 (in Scarborough on a road trailer)

* S36 'Merlie' for sale in Wales £Open to Offers, Contact tyderynnos23@gmail.com


We are also aware that a couple of other 150+ sail numbered boats maybe available, if you are looking for one of the boats built in the 1990’s then please let us know.


For details regarding boats for sale or if you would like your boat advertised for free please contact   sandhopperclass@gmail.com


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