Blondie

[John Bell]

A gentleman sent me picture of one of my BLONDIE dinghies that he recently completed. Hopefully you guys will permit me a bit of a brag, in a proud papa sorta way. http://mistermoon.home.mindspring.com/blondie_peter_simmons_1.jpg

I'm just tickled with the job he did. (I'm not getting paid, it's just a hobby. It's just a hobby. It's just a hobby... It's just an obsess-, er, hobby. :D )

[Hwyl]

Congratulations. How did he find out about the design? How many have been built now?

[John Bell]

Originally posted by Hwyl:
Congratulations. How did he find out about the design? How many have been built now?I've got a link to the plans in PDF format on my personal (vanity ;) ) website. This is only the second one I can confirm that's been completed, but I've heard rumors of many more under construction. Someone on the forum recently mentioned he had two under construction in Vermont. I don't think he's launched yet. The coolest situation was a parent/child boatbuilding/youth racing organization in Australia. I never heard any more from them, although I really hope they've gone on ahead without me.

[Hwyl]

John I'm aware of your website, and look at it fairly regularly. I'm guessing that the builder got to you through Duckworks. You ought to follow up on the boats that are being built.

Are the mast and sprit "closet pole" stock?

[brian.cunningham]

Congrats another forum member project hits the water.

[Stiletto]

That looks interesting, how does she sail with the centerboard that far back?

[John Bell]

Originally posted by Stiletto:
That looks interesting, how does she sail with the centerboard that far back?It's not as far back as you think. Here's a drawing:

http://mistermoon.home.mindspring.com/Blondie.jpg

One thing the builder did (and I approve of it, BTW) was to move the daggerboard off center to clear up more room in the middle of the boat. I had a Phil Bolger designed boat with a similar set up myself, and I never noticed any disadvantages while underway. The builder reports that it sails pretty well.

The mast looks a little thin to me too, Hwyl. He says he's been sailing in 18 knots with it so it must be stronger than it looks.

[C.D.C.]

I know this thread is several years old now, but I wanted to ask if any more of these Blondies have been built and if photos are available. I discovered the plans while searching for tiny boats to build. I am seriously considering building this but haven't completely made up my mind yet. Any information would be appreciated.