Calling All Bluejacket Owners/ Builders

[potomac]

Tom Lathrop's series of boats, the Bluejackets, are easy planing hulls designed to cruise at a pleasant speed and under minimal power for their size. Plans are offered in 24 (the original), 25.5, 27, and 28 foot hulls. I think they are great. They offer a practical, efficient, and smart-looking solution to the family who wants a cruising, fishing, or even general-purpose boat with a cabin (which I believe is a pretty good idea where kids and wives are involved for decent lengths of time). I'm looking for pictures of completed boats. landlocked sailor recently launched his 28 footer and some pictures have been posted. I'd love to see the 25.5, which to my eye is the most balanced and for my purposes, I think the most useful. Tom's site is here: http://www.bluejacketboats.com/

[jimkeen]

Hello, probably a good place to post some pics of my build. I am building the BJ271 which is the longer cabin like the 25.5 and a foot and a half added to the cockpit. I have yet to see one completed, so I am running on faith.

[jimkeen]

One picture of the hull I will have more to follow

[jimkeen]

More longitudinal stringers and the 32 gallon fuel tank is on site.

[landlocked sailor]

Here is the earliest pic I have of mine. That's Tom too.

Rick

[jimkeen]

I have earlier pics. You can see them on my facbook page:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Boat-C...n/325557887577

Here is the first cut from May 1 2011

[k4lmy]

Two fellows are building BJ's in Austin.. one is a BJ 27.. Here is a link http://www.flickr.com/photos/ed_boat/ The other is a 25.5. I did see two BJ 27s at Georgetown.. One of the BJs at Georgetown was the one pictured on Tom's site.
I am currently working on a BJ 28.. Hull #7 My link is www.flickr.com/photos/bluejacket28/

[potomac]

jimkeen- Coming along nicely. That hull looks big out of the water.
landlocked sailer- your boat came out great. I'd love to see the interior some day. Did Tom have a hand in the building?
k4lmy- Thanks for the link. Any pictures of your build?

[potomac]

jimkeen- Is Isabel a Redwing 18? What a pretty boat. How have you found her?

[DaveH]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/35374423@N08/

Potomac,

This is the flickr site documenting my Bluejacket 25.5 build. I have received much benefit and enjoyment from those who have documented their boat building endeavors. Hopefully my photos will benefit prospective and on going builders.

Regards,

Dave

[potomac]

Thanks Dave. She's looking great. Do you mind sharing what drew you to the 25.5? To me, she looks very balanced and I love the cabin layout. I have to admit the 27' is quite a looker too. Am I right in understanding that one 27' has the basic cabin of the 24' with a 3' longer cockpit, while the other has the cabin of the 25.5' with a 1.5' longer cockpit?

[Tom Lathrop]

Jim,

I have you on my list as owner of plans for a BJ25.5 but you say you are building a BJ271. Is my record wrong or did I update your plans to a BJ271?

The first BJ25.5 that I know of is being built in Wilmington, NC and I expect it to be launched next Spring. Others are under construction and are probably for later launching. Liz and I had a great cruise on the South Carolina coast following the Georgetown Boatshow in company with a BJ27 as far as Charleston. LIZ continued on to Beaufort after a couple nights in Charleston. We think this is a beautiful section of the ICW.

[DaveH]

Potomac,

Your understanding of the two BJ 27 models is what I also understand. Of course Tom Lathrop is the best source on BJ model questions. Rick's recent postings of his BJ 28 as well as my friend Ed's photos of his BJ 27 on a trailer remind me of the timeless appearance of the Bluejacket. No fad driven nonsense that make boats look old before their time. You can't go wrong with any of the BJ models, great looking and oh so easy on fuel usage. Model selection will depend on your circumstances such as crew size, towing vehicle, build budget, trailer or slip kept, etc. Most importantly what looks best to your eye.

I selected the BJ 25.5 primarily for appearance sake and secondly for passenger seating when the weather turns foul. Sorry, I have no insightful wisdom for your model selection.

I envy you as the hunt is half the fun.
Regards,

Dave

[landlocked sailor]

Here is an early interior shot, before upholstery & instruments. I used cherry for the bright bits and the cabin sole is an African mahogany that the local lumber yard sells for porch decking. I milled it down to 5/8".

Rick

[landlocked sailor]

Here is the ugly mug backing out of the launch for the first time.

Rick

[potomac]

Rick- That cherry is beautiful. To me, that interior is a perfect mix of lovely, boaty brightwork, without being too fussy. Very pretty and still usable. How did you finish the countertop? Is it an oil finish?

[W Grabow]

Rick,
Where did you get the brackets for that awning-style opening window in the center windshield? I want to use the same feature on my next boat (although it will not be as fancy as what you have built).

[jimkeen]

Jim,

I have you on my list as owner of plans for a BJ25.5 but you say you are building a BJ271. Is my record wrong or did I update your plans to a BJ271?

The first BJ25.5 that I know of is being built in Wilmington, NC and I expect it to be launched next Spring. Others are under construction and are probably for later launching. Liz and I had a great cruise on the South Carolina coast following the Georgetown Boatshow in company with a BJ27 as far as Charleston. LIZ continued on to Beaufort after a couple nights in Charleston. We think this is a beautiful section of the ICW.

Tom, I spoke with you at length about both boats. The end result was an agreement, for an additional nominal amount of money to include the 271 layouts in my plan binder. I have to say the 271 moved me because of the scale of it. I built a rough model of the 271 and fell in love with the proportions. Plus with 5 grandchildren and counting, the extra space will be well used. Thank you for all you did.

[landlocked sailor]

Potomac, it's satin polyurethane actually.
W.Grabow, sailboatstuff.com
Rick

[jimkeen]

jimkeen- Is Isabel a Redwing 18? What a pretty boat. How have you found her?

Yes she is thank you. We absolutely love this boat for our local waters. We have had some pretty rough stuff and the boat held up better than the crew. A great boat.

[jimkeen]

Thanks Dave. She's looking great. Do you mind sharing what drew you to the 25.5? To me, she looks very balanced and I love the cabin layout. I have to admit the 27' is quite a looker too. Am I right in understanding that one 27' has the basic cabin of the 24' with a 3' longer cockpit, while the other has the cabin of the 25.5' with a 1.5' longer cockpit?

You are once again correct. The first 27 was a 24 with a huge cockpit. I am building the 271 which has the main cabin of the 25.5 with the other 1.5 in the cockpit. So far the layout seems to be perfect for our needs.

[jimkeen]

Potomac Thank you for starting this thread, I think it may live a long life.
Rick awesome job on your 28,
I am taking a PTO day tomorrow to take advantage of the higher than normal temperature here in SE Mass,
I will get a lot of gluing accomplished like
Bonding the cabin sole
Gluing in the belt and shear stringers
Gluing in the reinforcements for the fuel tank area
A big day planned I hope I can get through it all.

[k4lmy]

Potomac.. My flickr photo blog is as follows. http://www.flickr.com/photos/bluejacket28/ .. i just started this fall and cold weather will probably catch me.. (no heat in building barn) Dave H I was not ignoring you but wanted you to jump in.Henry

[erster]

Even though I ain't building one of these hulls, this is pretty cool thread, a group of Bluejacket guys blogging in one place with building shots of different stages.

[potomac]

K4lmy- Thanks for sharing the pictures. It's looking great. Yowsa that's a lot of plywood! Looking at the picture of the starboard side panel going in had me counting scarfs. The block and tackle is a great idea and I'm not sure how'd you do it otherwise. Looks like just a c-clamp to connect the panel to the rigging? How many people are working together when you are assembling the panels before and during stitching? It's a big job. By the way, your scarfs look great. What was the jig you used?

I am so glad I started this thread. Just about every night, I open a little pdf file of the Bluejacket 25.5 and gaze for a while at her lines and then I'll get antsy for more and google her and find no pictures. It's nice to know I'm not alone in my affection for these boats.

[jimkeen]

Potomac here is a series of pics from one day of work.
8AM

[jimkeen]

9AM

[jimkeen]

Around noon time

[jimkeen]

Around 5 PM same day all by myself.
Ended the day at dark with a great big smile on my face

[potomac]

Love it. I should think that is so gratifying- you look out the window and think, hey, there's something that looks like a boat out there. Putting up the walls for the little cabin I built was just like that- fast and so rewarding. I can't wait to see more of the 271. I think she has a lot of the balance I find so appealing and the cabin seems just right (not that I could argue with Rick's interior- but that's a whole different boat).

[potomac]

By the way Jim, I hope the mini is not the tow vehicle.

[Tom Lathrop]

Jim, Thank you for the photos and the description of one days work for one builder, working alone. Many prospective builders assume that handling those big side panels is beyond the ability of one person and you ably demonstrate that is not the case. A little creative thinking and a little engineering works wonders. Not a 9 to 5 day perhaps, but very impressive.

[martin1302]

Addititional question to all who have built a Bluejacket.

What is the trailerweight of your Bluejacket?

[landlocked sailor]

My 28 with boat and motor but no stores or fuel is 5100 lbs. Rick

[Tom Lathrop]

My 28 with boat and motor but no stores or fuel is 5100 lbs. Rick

Rick, Can you break that down any? Does it include the trailer? I knew you were adding a lot of weight with the extra planking oln most all interior surfaces and 5/8" ipe on the sole but 5100lbs greatly surprises me.

[landlocked sailor]

Sorry, that includes the trailer which weighs 1835, so 3265 for the boat/motor. The cabin sole is African mahogany, though we did use ipe for the rub rails and grab handles. Rick

[Tom Lathrop]

Sorry, that includes the trailer which weighs 1835, so 3265 for the boat/motor. The cabin sole is African mahogany, though we did use ipe for the rub rails and grab handles. Rick

Phew! Rick,

Don't scare me like that. You did put a few hundred pounds extra in there but it sure looks great. Your craftsmanship is very evident. No problem with added cruising gear at that weight. Another BJ28 is starting construction in Charleston at Sea Island Boatworks.

[k4lmy]

Potomac: I have done all the work with just the wife and myself.. It has not been hard at all.. Like Tom said it is all in using what you have available.

Yes, the block and tackle attach to the side pannels by a c-clamp.

to JimKeen Lots of work in short order... I wonder how much longer you will be able to work outside..?

Henry

Henry

[jimkeen]

Jim, Thank you for the photos and the description of one days work for one builder, working alone. Many prospective builders assume that handling those big side panels is beyond the ability of one person and you ably demonstrate that is not the case. A little creative thinking and a little engineering works wonders. Not a 9 to 5 day perhaps, but very impressive.

Tom, you can follow my progress of the Bluejacket and other boats I have built and use,with lots more pictures and commentary, on my Boat Craft Facebook page. Please take a look and like the page if you wish.

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?s...7887577&type=1

[jimkeen]

Even though I ain't building one of these hulls, this is pretty cool thread, a group of Bluejacket guys blogging in one place with building shots of different stages.

Erster thank you for your comments. Please join the fray with some questions, suggestions and a little humor. After all we cannot take ourselves too seriously.

[W Grabow]

Potomac, it's satin polyurethane actually.
W.Grabow, sailboatstuff.com
Rick

Thanks, I found it, "hatch adjuster" on the sailboatstuff website. It is nice to locate the needed hardware before starting to build a windshield which requires such parts. Now, if I can find some hinges for a folding bimini top which will allow an extension to attach to the windshield top, I'll be set. I plan to create a raised foredeck and Thompson-style wood windshield frame with opening windows, but on a somewhat smaller hull than the challenge you took on. That looks like a very handy and comfortable interior.

[jimkeen]

LOL we were actually thinking about a stunt photo of the MINI being ramped into the back of the transom=less Bluejacket. I have not yet decided on what I might want to pull the boat with. I am sure my current Jeep could handle the weight, it is the sheer size that concerns me more. I would really like to get a Chevy or GMC 1500 club cab for the task. For now the MINI will remain my commuter car, for 100 miles per day.

[Tom Lathrop]

Jim,

Your boat is coming along very nicely. I am constantly amazed with the ingenuity of boat builders in solving the daily problems you run into. I was not even aware that you were actually building at this time. I wonder if there are others , not known to me, who are building now. This makes four currently active building blogs of the Bluejackets and I am aware of at least four others that are in construction.

[jimkeen]

Potomac: I have done all the work with just the wife and myself.. It has not been hard at all.. Like Tom said it is all in using what you have available.

Yes, the block and tackle attach to the side pannels by a c-clamp.

to JimKeen Lots of work in short order... I wonder how much longer you will be able to work outside..?

Henry

Henry

I have a shelter that will house the project while under construction. Then it will be relocated on the property to house the completed boat on its trailer.

[jimkeen]

Jim,

Your boat is coming along very nicely. I am constantly amazed with the ingenuity of boat builders in solving the daily problems you run into. I was not even aware that you were actually building at this time. I wonder if there are others , not known to me, who are building now. This makes four currently active building blogs of the Bluejackets and I am aware of at least four others that are in construction.

Thanks Tom, my work will never be confused with that of a furniture maker, however the boats I have built always draw great reviews. I am from the school of getting it built with the best plans for the best result, I will never obsess over the minutia that does not matter one iota at the end of the day. It pays to look at the final product and its structural integrity rather than the fussy stuff to get there. My goal is to have a Bluejacket that I can be proud of and not afraid to take it anywhere that is prudent.
Tom once again great boat and great plans. Thank you

[erster]

Erster thank you for your comments. Please join the fray with some questions, suggestions and a little humor. After all we cannot take ourselves too seriously.

Hum so I play the joker here? Argggggr, Arggggg Carry on, I will just look over your shoulder so that I can cut the building time later to about two months instead of the four that the designer gives for his approx. building time.

[ejds]

Thanks for starting and all the contributions to this thread. I can't wait to start my 25.5 but have to finish building first the workshop.
I came across a similar looking boat at the Enkhuizer classic boat show last week.



It had a couple of portholes built in the shear break (or whatever that is called)

[potomac]

ejds- Pretty boat. I hope you will consider a build thread when you begin.

[potomac]

Any of you 271 builders have a drawing you can post? My Mac (Safari) won't load about half of the Bluejacket website. Tom sent me an image of the 25.5 and you can get a good idea of her lines and cabin layout.

[potomac]

Okay, so clearly I'm a little obsessed with this boat (three posts in a row). What motor are you guys using?