Brief history of the Blue Jay class

The 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.  Designed as a “ baby Lightning” it became 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 Rousmaniere was President in 1960 and 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 regatta ( Championship winner may apply for Champion of Champions ) and Master’s regatta plus have added a website www.sailbluejay.org. 

Boat building ranged from home-building to numerous yacht builders. Some of the leaders in this industry were: Beaton Boat Works, Formula Yachts, McNair, and Saybrook Yacht Yard, and today, our official boat builder is Tom Allen Jr., of Allen Boat Co., Buffalo, NY who is the leading builder of the Lightning Class (as mentioned above, the Blue Jay, a baby Lightning). He is presently, as of 2008, in possession of the 2-molds that were donated to the Class and on loan: Formula Yacht’s mold, donated to the Class in 2005 by Jim Hansen in memory of Salle Evelyn whose husband, Jim, built the mold and Saybrook Yacht Yard’s mold, donated in 1996 to the Class by George Shuck and his son David. Additional history can be viewed in the Perpetual Awards descriptions.

UPDATED HISTORY STARTING WITH 2010

2010
The Championship 1st Place Trophy was placed in the Mystic Seaport where it can be viewed today.
The Championship 2nd Place Trophy was placed in the CT River Museum where it can be viewed today.

PERPETUAL TROPHIES

CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION FIRST PLACE WET PANTS ASSOCIATION PERPETUAL TROPHY

The Wet Pants Association, a cooperative sailing club on the Great South Bay, was organized over sixty years ago to provide sailing activities to the area’s youngsters. In two separate years, 1958 and 1963, they held Winter Blue Jay Building Parties in various members’ garages when it was too cold to sail and created an active Blue Jay fleet. In 1966, at the Wet Pants Annual Mess in September, Robert D. Schultz, Commodore, presented the Wet Pants Association Perpetual Trophy to Allegra Mertz, President of the Blue Jay Class Association, after they had hosted a Blue Jay National Regatta. William L. Pagels, Sr., a member of Wet Pants and Executive Board Member of the newly formed Blue Jay Class Association arranged for this trophy to be donated and added the names of earlier National Champions to be engraved on the trophy along with Bill Pagels, his son. (Silver urn capped with sailboat)

CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION SECOND PLACE SAYBROOK PERPETUAL TROPHY

This award was presented to the Class by George Shuck, owner of the Saybrook Yacht Yard and popular builder of Blue Jays beginning in 1949.  He started with numbers 77 through 98 continuing through the numbers 6,000 when he decided to retire.  In 1996, George and his son donated the Saybrook mold to the Class. (Pewter bowl)

CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION THIRD PLACE PERPETUAL WESLEY G. VAN

WINKLE MEMORIAL TROPHY

This award was donated to the Class,  by, the family of Wesley G. Van Winkle.  Wes was an enthusiastic Blue Jay sailor who succumbed to Leukemia at the age of 12 just as he was preparing for his first National Regatta.  He loved to sail.  The trophy is to inspire all sailors to do their best and to love the sport of sailing. (Silver cooler)

In 2013 this trophy was retired and given back to the Daniel VanWinkle family, Mason's Island YC.

PRESIDENT’S CUP DIVISION FIRST PLACE PERPETUAL PRESIDENT’S BOWL

This award, a Charles Francis Adams bowl, was won by Allegra Knapp Mertz and given to the Class in 1976 to use as a perpetual trophy while she was still President.  “Leggie” was a legend in her time, competing eight times for the Charles Francis Adams Cup, winning this as skipper four times.  She was also an eight-time winner of the Syce Cup, chairman of US Sailing’s Women’s Division for 24 years, and received the Nathaniel D. Herreshoff Award in 1966 for her accomplishments in the sport of sailing. (Silver bowl)

In 2013 this trophy was retired and given to Allegra Mertz Torrey, American YC.

PRESIDENT’S CUP DIVISION SECOND PLACE FINISH ALLEGRA KNAPP MERTZ PERPETUAL TROPHY

This award, a half hull model of Rosy Future, Leggie’s Blue Jay #94, was given to the Class in 1984 as she retired as President. (Mounted half hull)

In 2013 this trophy was retired and given to Allegra Mertz Torrey, American YC.

PRESIDENT’S CUP DIVISION THIRD PLACE WILLIAM K. DUNBAR III

PERPETUAL TROPHY

This award, designed by Julie Dunbar, Class Secretary, was give to the Class by Bill Dunbar, President in 1987.  (Wooden circle fitted with brass)

In 2013 this trophy was retired and given to William Dunbar, PYC and ECYC.

PERPETUAL ALLEGRA KNAPP MERTZ MEMORIAL TROPHY

(Presented to the Top Female Skipper in the Championship Division)

This award was designed in 1991 by Ray Snedeker, now retired, Chief Measurer and Executive Board Member.  As stated, it is in memory of Leggie, an avid sailing competitor, champion, great sportsman and promoter of women.  (Wooden triangle with half hull model)

In 2013 this trophy was retired and donated to PYC Women's Sailing Group.

PERPETUAL CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION FIRST PLACE CREW TROPHY

BY BEATON BOAT WORKS AND WADAWAUCK YACHT CLUB

Julie Dunbar, Class Secretary, had always felt there should be a perpetual crew trophy and went to Beaton Boat Works, Mantoloking, NJ where they used to build Blue Jays and found a wooden spinnaker pole which was immediately donated. Upon arrival at Wadawauck Yacht Club for the Blue Jay Nationals, Peter O’Neill, President, completed the trophy, which was presented in the year 2000.  (Mounted spinnaker pole)

In 2013 this trophy was retired and given to Allegra Mertz Torrey, American YC.

PERPETUAL HOWARD PIERCE CREW TROPHY

FIRST PLACE PRESIDENT’S CUP DIVISION

This trophy was given by the Dunbars in honor of Howard Pierce, Administration Assistant for Sparkman and Stephens 1954-2001.  Howard took over the record/history keeping of the Blue Jay Class as a favor to Bob Sparkman.  His precise recording of measurements and boat numbers, sending out plans for home builders helped to further promote the Class. He was always enthusiastic, interested in all the sailors, and went out of his way to answer any Blue Jay request. This award was first presented at the 2003 Nationals, Seawanhaka Corinthian Yacht Club.  (Wooden shadow box of knots )