FOUND ! USA 235 – Restored, Alive and Well – living in Seattle

I’m going to reprint a note and images from Matt Rowley:

James,

Thanks for your kind words about my work on the OK Dinghy.

When I shared the photos with Richard I knew WHERE the hull number was, I just couldn’t remember WHAT it was.

A quick look under the cover is all it took to confirm what I thought it was: #235

As far as the mast being a Bruder, you’d definitely know more about that than me. I will say that it’s not a homebuilt mast.The glue joints look like they are resorcinol – which is too difficult for most home builders to use – the taper is smooth, and the

material is flawless. It looks like it could be old growth VG spruce? Is there any definitive way to tell if it is indeed a Bruder?

My interest in this boat is mainly as a recreational sailor. But as I was rebuilding/restoring it I discovered the class’s history and resurgence, and was fascinated. I shared my findings with my good friend who raced this very boat as a kid, but he wasn’t aware of any of it. This discovery led him to place a craigslist ad – just like you- looking for other OK sailors in the area. The only reply he got was me trolling him. That was probably about a year ago.  When I saw Richards ad, it piqued my curiosity so I reached out hoping to find some racing buddies for MY buddy.

You don’t need to convince me, or my buddy, about what a great boat the OK is. We’re already there. ( My buddy has been lurking around your website for a while now) The boats’ good looks has also attracted the attention of his teenage son. It seems to me.it‘s the younger sailors that will sustain the class. To that point, there is a sailing school here in Seattle that may help you spread the word. It’s called Sail Sand Point (sailsandpoint.org). They teach kids, adults, and even train collegiate sailors I believe. I don’t live too far from there and wouldn’t mind showing off the boat if no one has heard of an OK Dinghy. Sand Point may even be able to direct you to other clubs/schools in the PNW.

 I may not be the racer you were hoping to connect with, but I am a fan of the boat and willing to help spread the word. I’ve shared these emails with my friend who races keel boats, and is dialed into the sailing community here. He’s enthusiastic about it ( It was his OK that I restored ) and I’m sure he’ll start a few conversations.

Kudos to you and your organization.

Matt

 

On Mon, Nov 30, 2020 at 7:45 AM James Bland <jfbland@me.com> wrote:

Matt:

Richard shared the pictures of your restoration.  You might have an old Bruder mast which are highly prized !  Congratulations on an excellent job.  Your hull number should be on your sail and hopefully engraved into your keel in the cockpit.

I would appreciate your membership in the OK Dinghy association.  You can be a part of something special.

Find us:

Facebook @USOKDRA

Website with class rules and USOKDRA rules – usa.okdinghy.org

The international website – OKDIA.org

US Sailing one design portal

World Sailing One Design Classes.

Craigslist

If you join, you’ll have access to our membership list.  Dennis Clark is not sailing, but is a supporting member in your area and would be happy to help you with your boat.  If you decide to race it nationally, you may want to weigh it and do a few check measurements on the hull, but you would have lots of time to do that.

In the past, the largest concentration of OK dinghies was in Seattle, Oregon, California and Florida.

Thank you for preserving / restoring your OK.  Once we get the hull number figured out, I’d like to post pictures of your fine work on our websites.

Please contact me at your earliest convenience.  I’m here to help you.  Membership has many benefits, we are opening the 2021 membership in a couple of weeks

James

 

James Bland

USOKDRA Executive. Director

4612 Finley Drive

Austin TX 78731

865 406 9572