The PIPER name has been associated with premium quality boats since David Piper started building in 1968. Since then the industry has seen many changes, not all for the better. One constant in the last 40 years has been the PIPER desire and ability to produce a boat that both the client and ourselves are proud to be associated with.

Up until now you have had to go through the many “sailaway” brokers to get your hands on a PIPER sailaway. These are normally shells that we have supplied and have been taken to sailaway stage by the relevant companies. Coinciding with our structured expansion and new facilities we are now offering clients the chance to specify there our sailaway direct from us. We will custom build your boat to order and with relatively short lead times.

The advantage to the client is that you no longer have to compromise on;

            Windows - Style, size or position

            Engine - choose from any of the Vetus or Beta range

            Doors - Type and position

            Style - Traditional, cruiser, semi-trad or even our own extended trad

What is a sailaway boat

The sailaway boat is aimed at the client who wish to complete there own craft. This may be because of financial restrictions or even because they relish the challenge. The second hand narrow boat market is also fuelling demand for sailaway. The boats generally available for the sub £40k on the second hand market are very poor with standards that can be easily excelled by anyone with basic DIY skills. These boats have also  generally seen many years use and the mechanics and fittings may well be tired. To rework these boats does not make financial sense. In fitting a sailaway you add value to the boat and with quality fully fitted boats now starting at over £1400 per foot the savings can be immense.

The aim therefore of the sailaway is to produce a boat that can easily be completed by yourself.

What does a sailaway comprise of ?

Ÿ         All steelwork completed

Ÿ         Engine installation completed

Ÿ         The ballast fitted

Ÿ         Steel door facings

Ÿ         Sliding hatch fitted

Ÿ         Windows installed

Ÿ         Portholes installed

Ÿ         Basic floor laid

Ÿ         Ventilation completed to relevant standards

The boat in short is weather tight and cruisable from the day you take delivery

To ease the fit out we also offer the deluxe sailaway where we have taken the boat to a more completed stage.

What does a deluxe sailaway consist of ?

Sailaway spec outlined above plus:

Ÿ         Full internal battening of the boat

Ÿ         Sprayfoam insulation

Ÿ         Complete lining out of interior in oak faced plywood

Ÿ         Hardwood door frames fitted

Ÿ         Hatch trims fitted

Ÿ         Door facing lined out in timber

Ÿ         Locks fitted to front, rear and side doors

Ÿ         Wiring tails fitted

Ÿ         Window and porthole trims fitted

Ÿ         Ventilation cover trims fitted

Ÿ         Additional paint applied over original transport coat

Check out our pricelist and photo archive.