Mark Spooner writes:

Subject: Blue Max

Date: Mon, 22 Jun 1998 10:10:25 -0500

...The real reason I'm writing is to let you know I raced on the Blue Max in the early '70's out of Windjammers Yacht club. Very exciting times.

In those days I worked mostly fore deck. Yes, she was cutter rigged with removable inner forestay (if I remember correctly). I really can't say whether if it improved our performance off the wind or not but it sure gave us a great psychological edge.

The last location I knew of was the Santa Barbara Yacht club. Her owner, who worked as an exec. for Big Blue was transferred to SB in the mid '70's.

As for me, I stayed active in the sailing scene until a couple of years ago. I have owned a number of boats (25 to 46). I intend to get back into it with the purchase of the E27. Oh, the joys of owning a boat. I'd really much rather sail than work on them. Anyway, the 27 should suit my now "old fart" lifestyle, doing some double handed club races and hanging out in Catalina.

Thanks again for giving me pleasure, reminiscing about the Max.

Mark

And, in response to my questions as to why she was called "Blue Max" (she looks tan to me, not blue), and whether it was possible that my boat and the Max were one and the same:

I don't know the reason for "Blue Max". I always assumed it was after the German Military order, or maybe the U.S. gunship squadron (Airborne). As far as I remember the hull was white but the deck and house color is a blur. I have an old friend who may remember. I'll ask and get back to you.

Anyway, as far as being renamed to Bluefin it seems to me that a clue may exist if some beefed-up structural work exists where the inner headstay would have attached (passed through) the fore deck. Some schemes attached via car to the spinnaker foreguy track and had a turnbuckle tensioned stay below deck between under the track and the keel. This has the advantage of being able to release the below deck stuff via pelican hook to free up space in the v-berth. I've seen others that just placed a deck timber athwart ship at the load bearing point.

I conclude that I do not own the former Blue Max. Do you?