Percy Blandford is 100

[Yantlet]

Is this a Gremlin?

A Gremlin was my first boat. Happy Birthday PB.

I don,t think this is a Gremlin the bow is all wrong take a look here.
http://www.clarkcraft.com/cgi-local...2b3ff9c66&type=item&categ=019&item=1039180560

 

[reginaldon]

I wonder in how many of us Percy first planted the love of boats and the concept of boat ownership.
May God continue to bless him with happiness and a long life.

 

[clyst]

PBK10 That's how it all started for me . Circa 1962 !!

 

[Kukri]

Congratulations to him.

What a different age his designs conjure up...

 

[Searush]

Siren is 12' with a swivel board! Mine must just be the Gremlin then! I really must go & measure it!

 

[puddock]

Here's mine - a Siren made from Percy Blandford plans - with grandson as crew!

I still have the original plans.

I have just recently been given a Siren, very similar to the one in your pic, which I intend to renovate for my 12 year old stepson, who has just got the sailing bug.
Hang on .... mine came from a gentleman, known as "Burton", living in Mintlaw ???

Any connection by any chance?

 

[Mark-1]

http://www.clarkcraft.com/cgi-local...2b3ff9c66&type=item&categ=019&item=1039180560

Thanks Yantlet. Without doubt it had a Gremlin Rig and the interior layout is identical with three thwarts, mast stepped through a thwart. However, as you say, the bow is all wrong.

Wonder what we had, I suspect http://www.cvrda.org might be able to help.

 

[Sire]

There is an active Percy W Blandford Appreciation Society group on Facebook.
http://www.facebook.com/groups/42265674352/

 

[Seajet]

Happy Birthday Mr Blandford,

you have given a huge number of people great enjoyment, and made a very significant impact on small boat design.

 

[Kurrawong_Kid]

Happy Birthday Mr Blandford,

you have given a huge number of people great enjoyment, and made a very significant impact on small boat design.

+1. My first was a PBK10 (or was it 11 or 12?). built on the back lawn prior to an attempt to paddle down the unrestored Stratford canal and River Avon from Birmingham to Burlingham, near Pershore. Blocked by weed at Lowsonford I took the canoe by train to Stratford, trundled it on a trolley to the river through the town and hacked my way through undergrowth as the derelict locks were portaged. Happy Days! Thanks Percy and Congratulations!

 

[graham]

Congratulations Mr Blandford

My fondest sailing memories come from a self built Lysander 17.

The rig and sails were off an Enterprise Dinghy.

The littlest one

 

[toad_oftoadhall]

My fondest sailing memories come from a self built Lysander 17.

The littlest one

Love it, thanks for shareing the pics.

 

[PetiteFleur]

A real legend of the plywood revolution - Good on you Percy
http://intheboatshed.net/2012/10/25/percy-blandford-is-100-today/
Forgot to add that he was the 'Guru' of the canvas covered canoe, one of which was my very first boat. I can still remember the heart stopping thrill when arriving home from school to find it waiting. I later converted it to sail with rudder and leeboards from one of Percy's books - Happy Days indeed, Ah the simple things in life.

Also ditto - my first boat, a PBK 22, built at school when I was about 14 and then took it down the River Wye without damage(unlike one which was wrapped round a rock). Also converted it to sail with leeboards and rudder - interesting tacking down the Grand Union Canal!

 

[Hostage]

I thought I was unique rigging my Lysander with an Enterprise rig. I learned so much and had so much fun from building it. 40years later I still remember every stage of the learning curve.

I am delighted to hear of his longevity.