The International Blue Jay Class Association owns two hull molds for the design, which were donated to the club by past builders, Formula Yacht and Saybrook Yacht Yard. These two molds have been loaned to the current manufacturer for production use.[4]
Design
When the boat was designed, a friend of the designer suggested calling it the Blue Bird, but Drake Sparkman settled on the name Blue Jay, as the class badge could then simply be a letter "J", blue in color.[4]
The Blue Jay is a recreational sailboat, that was initially built of plywood. In the early 1960s the International Blue Jay Class Association voted to allow construction from fiberglass, although some boats, particularly amateur-built ones, have continued to be built from wood.[1][3][4]
The boat has a draft of 3.67 ft (1.12 m) with the centerboard extended and 6 in (15 cm) with it retracted, allowing beaching or ground transportation on a trailer.[1]
In a 1994 review Richard Sherwood wrote that the boat, "was originally designed as a junior trainer that would allow for a spinnaker, but many boats are now owned and raced by adults. The rig is relatively short, increasing stability. In line with the original design intent, class rules require anchors, PFDs, bailing equipment, and a paddle to be carried on board while racing. Flotation is optional."[3]
