Blanchard Junior Knockabout

Historic American Engineering Record

Blanchard Junior Knockabout #7

Location: CWB storage facility 

Date of construction: unknown

Rig/type of craft: Marconi sloop/ fractional rig

Trade: Recreation

Official number: #7

Principal dimensions:                 Length:19'                    gross tonnage: 
                                               Beam: 6'3"                   net tonnage: 
                                               Draft: 3'

Designer: Norm Joseph Blanchard

Builder: Blanchard Boat Company

Present owner: The Center for Wooden Boats
                      1010 Valley St. Seattle, WA 98119

Present use: museum exhibit

Significance statement: These knockabout sloops were built between 1930 and 1940 as relatively inexpensive but yachty-looking day sailors. Over 50 were built.

Project information:
The Historic American Engineering Record (HAER) is a long range program that documents and interprets historically significant engineering sites and structures in the United States. HAER is part of the Heritage Documentation Programs, a part of the National Parks Service, United States Department of the Interior

PART I. HISTORICAL INFORMATION

1. Physical History
   
   1. Dates of Construction: Unknown
   2. Designer: Norm  Joseph Blanchard
   3. Builder/Contractor/Supplier: Blanchard Boat Company
   4. Original Plans:
   5. Alterations and Additions:
2. Historical Context:

The 1930's Depression affected the yacht industry in an interesting way.  Even though our economy was down there was still a demand for recreational boats, but of an affordable price.

The boatyards that had achieved fame through building 100' yachts needed to find another product that would keep their crews busy.  And the naval architects and boat designers also switched their client focus from scions of America to the working class.  The Depression years became a golden age for small day sailing boats and fast one design racing boats.

The Blanchard Boat Company whose founder, N.J. Blanchard had been commercially building yachts for the wealthy since he was 15, in 1900, saw the turn of tide at his shop in Seattle's Lake Union.  In 1932 N.J. designed a classic little 26' cruising sloop with cabin accommodations for 2 and a well for outboard motor.  This sloop sold for less than the popular 23' Star Class because it was designed to be simple to build and rig.

The next N.J. Blanchard design was a 20' open sloop, the hull was scaled down from the 26' boat.  The 20' boat had only a short fore deck and aft deck and the long cockpit would easily seat 6 adults on each side bench.  The 26' cabin cruiser was called the Blanchard Senior Knockabout (BJK) and the 20' version was the Blanchard Junior Knockabout (BJK).

PART II. STRUCTURAL/ DESIGN INFORMATION

1. General Description: The hull of a Blanchard Junior Knockabout (BJK) is carvel planked western red cedar over steam bent white oak frames. There are galvanized steel air tanks installed under the fore and aft decks. The cast iron keel is approximately 500 lbs. The cost with the sails in the 1940's was $1195. The BJK has a graceful overhanging curved stem and elliptical flat transom with a short overhang. There is an in board rudder. There is a long foredeck, small side decks, and long aft deck. The aft deck sometimes had a cut out just forward of the transom to accept an outboard motor. The deck is tongue and groove cedar with a canvas sheathing. The mast is stepped just forward of the cockpit opening and was typically spruce. There are stainless steel shrouds that go about ¾ of the way up the mast and a forestay. The cockpit coamings and trim are Honduras mahogany. Inside the cockpit slated eats run longitudinally on either side of the centerline of the boat.
2. Mechanical: There is no mechanical power.
3. Operations/Functions: Recreation

PART III. SOURCES OF INFORMATION

Dick Wagner: " Blanchard Built" The Center for Wooden Boats, 2002

Norman C. Blanchard and Steven Wilen: "Knee Deep in Shavings" Hosdel and Schubart LTD. Victoria, BC. Canada