"BLUE JAY""BLUE JAY"
Continues to be one of the leading one-design, sloop-rigged sailboats in existence today.
Fathered by Drake H. Sparkman, head of the New York designing firm of Sparkman and Stephens, Inc. after his tenure as chairman of a yacht club junior sailing program, the Blue Jay was pencil drawn in 1947 as an all-around junior training boat and now has numbers over 7,200. It is used not only in novice programs in yacht clubs from Florida to Maine, but also in teen's, men's, and women's events. Originally constructed of wood the IBJCA voted in the early 1960s to allow fiberglass, however wooden boats are still being made today. It is interesting to note that when a friend of Drake Sparkman suggested that he name the boat "Blue Bird" he decided on the "Blue Jay" which could effectively be marked by a blue "J" on the sail. (Perhaps he thought noting the junior aspect).
The International Blue Jay Class Association was formed in 1954 by Allegra Knapp Mertz. President for 35 years she built the class with active board members. Among those, Bob Sparkman, Drake's son, who was treasurer for 20 years. James Rosmaniere was President in 1960 & 1961; Ed Hoffman, President in 1971. In 1984 at American Yacht Club’s Blue Jay Nationals, Leggie turned the gavel over to Bill Dunbar who had been an active board member for ten years. He continues in this position today.
The Association (IBJCA) is made up of voluntary officers and executive board members from different sailing areas on the East Coast. They continue to maintain a strict one-design class, publish a yearbook and newsletter, coordinate regional regattas and clinics, offer a National and Master’s regatta every year and have added a website www.sailbluejay.com.
2002 - Fall