Jim grew up in Bellevue, WA and at the age of 9 his parents bought a Blanchard Jr. Knockabout for $250 and spent another $250 to refurbish it. Jim’s dad taught him to sail on that wooden sloop, and at the young age of 13 “turned over the keys” to Jim and let him go out by himself on Lake Washington (wow, what a blast for a 13 year old!). As Jim became an adult, the Knockabout became his boat. He and a buddy sailed two Blanchard Knockabout Jr’s from Lake Washington all the way to Victoria BC (across the Strait of Juan de Fuca) and back – a bold adventure in an open cockpit sailboat!

In 1976 Jim bought his Blanchard Sr. Knockabout (26ʹ LOA) and began refurbishing the boat in the off season and racing the rest of the year. Jim still owns this beaut and takes great care of her. Jim also owns a 1966 Century Resorter mahogany ski boat, which he uses about 100 days each year for water skiing. (see HOWB 045 for a related interview on another Century Resorter).

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You can contact me at [email protected] to share your comments, feedback, stories, and wooden boat adventures.

Keep the bright side up and the barnacled side down - Wooden Boat Dan over and out :D

PS Please note this podcast was recorded several years ago - some of the links, email addresses, phone numbers, and promos mentioned are outdated and no longer valid.