1930 Blanchard Lake Union Dreamboat - BLANCHARD FOR SALE

1930 Blanchard Lake Union Dreamboat
MER-NA is a 36-foot raised-deck cruiser crafted by the N.J. Blanchard Boat Works of Seattle, Washington.
For more than sixty years beginning in 1907, Blanchard produced some of the most admired motor yachts, sailboats, and tenders in the Pacific Northwest—including about two dozen “Lake Union Dreamboats” that became the yard’s signature. Launched in 1930 as hull #25, MER-NA is the final Blanchard Dreamboat built.

Brought to Lake Minnetonka by her present steward two decades ago, she has benefited from meticulous care with multiple rounds of thoughtful restoration and upgrades detailed below.
Offered at $129,900.

Specifications, MER-NA
Classification Documented Motor Vessel, #230-292
Year 1930
Builder N.J. Blanchard Boat Works, Seattle
Model Standardized Cruiser (“Lake Union Dreamboat”)
Hull Number 25 in series (last of the line)
Length Overall 36'-0" (Waterline length also 36'-0")
Maximum Beam 9'-6"
Draft 3.5 feet
Air Draft 17' 2" from waterline to masthead light (bridge clearance)
Power Yanmar 4JH2E, 4-cylinder diesel, 51 hp, 4,267 hours
Cruising Speed 6–8 knots, top about 9 knots
Cruising RPM 2,100–2,600 (comfortable)
Speed / RPM 5.1 kts @ 1500, 6.4 @ 2000, 7.7 @ 2500, 8.8 @ 3000
Fuel Burn Approx. 0.5 gph at slow cruise (2100 rpm/6 kts); up to 1.5 gph @ 3300 rpm
Fuel Tanks New aluminum 45-gallon (Aug 2001) plus new composite 23-gallon (Jan 2004); total 68 gallons
Batteries Two 12-volt start batteries and three 12-volt house batteries totaling 360Ah; Xantrex RV2012 charger with 1500W inverter
Fresh Water Stainless tank, 75 gallons, beneath forward berth
Manual Pumps Original brass hand pumps in galley and head
Heat Red Dot R-290 forced-air heater serving pilothouse and saloon (approx. 2000 BTU, via engine heat exchanger)
Stove Restored original Sound-brand cast-iron range with stainless oven; kerosene-fired, ~1 qt/hr; 15-gallon day tank forward
Hot Water 10-gallon stainless tank heated by the galley stove
Lighting Original 12-volt crystal fixtures; complete new wiring (2004)
Head SeaEra 12-volt macerating toilet with 24-gallon holding tank
Sounder Ross, 240'
GPS/Plotter Garmin 3010C color moving-map with GDL 30A marine weather (XM WX) receiver
VHF ICOM IC-M59 (new 2001)
Stereo XM Satellite AM/FM with tape deck and 6-CD changer
Horns Air and electric
Planking Western Red Cedar
Framing White Oak, 1-3/8" x 1-1/4" bent frames
Deck Beams Douglas Fir, 1-1/8" x 2-1/4"
Decking Tongue-and-groove cedar overlaid with painted canvas
Bilge Pumps Rule automatic (1" discharge) and Par automatic (1" discharge)
Steering Cable
Ground Tackle Primary Bruce with 50' chain and 250' line
Storm Anchor Larger Danforth-style with 50' chain and 250' line
Safety Four dry-chemical extinguishers (2-1/2–5 lb)
Dinghy Original 7'-6" lapstrake skiff in Western Red Cedar with White Oak frames, stowed on the pilothouse roof; mast and boom used for hoisting and retrieval
Searchlights Two 12-volt units: one on pilothouse roof and one removable, remote-control model on the bowsprit
PFDs Eight life jackets plus ring buoy
Instruments Ship’s clock and barometer in main cabin
Wipers Two windshield wipers and one windshield fan
Refrigeration Large 10 cu. ft. stainless icebox with three access doors in the pilothouse; Alder-Barbour compressor/evaporator, approx. 5-amp draw

Miscellaneous Original “Mer-Na” crystal glassware; rich Burgundy mohair upholstery throughout. All new through-hulls (2004). Electrical system fully replaced and re-fused (2004), with galvanic isolator/inverter/charger. In 2007 the hull was stripped; deteriorated forward keel and garboards were renewed; sister ribs added to the forward four stations. Extensive photo documentation shows the remaining timber was in excellent condition. The hull was refastened with approximately 4,000 hot-dipped galvanized screws, each head sealed with two-part West epoxy. Below-waterline seams were wedged and caulked. Entire vessel received two coats of primer and three topcoats. Transom completely rebuilt in 2015.

A distinguished classic motor yacht and wooden heritage cruiser, MER-NA blends vintage elegance with capable cruising—an ideal gentleman’s yacht, pilothouse commuter, and pocket coastal/liveaboard cruiser. Yacht category keywords: classic motor yacht, Lake Union Dreamboat, raised-deck cruiser, vintage wooden yacht, gentleman’s cruiser, pilothouse cruiser, trawler-style pocket yacht, commuter yacht, coastal cruiser.

Description

MER-NA is a 1930 Blanchard Lake Union Dreamboat, a 36-foot Raised Deck Cruiser built in Seattle by the storied N.J. Blanchard Boat Company, whose legacy from 1907 spans some of the finest motor yachts, sailboats, and tenders to grace the Pacific Northwest, including two dozen Lake Union Dreamboats that became the company’s signature. Launched in 1930 as hull number 25 and the final Dreamboat of the series, MER-NA was purchased by her current owner and brought to Lake Minnetonka twenty years ago, where she has remained under our meticulous care with several extensive reconstruction and upgrade campaigns detailed below. She is offered at $129,900.

Documented as Motor Vessel #230-292, MER-NA presents classic proportions with a length overall of 36'-0", a waterline length of 36'-0", a maximum beam of 9'-6", a draft of 3.5 feet, and a bridge clearance of 17' 2" measured from the waterline to the mast light. Power is by a Yanmar 4JH2E four-cylinder diesel rated at 51 horsepower with 4267 hours, delivering an easy cruising speed between 6 and 8 knots and a maximum of 9 knots. She runs comfortably at 2,100–2,600 rpm, with verified speed/rpm figures of 5.1 knots at 1500, 6.4 at 2000, 7.7 at 2500, and 8.8 at 3000. Fuel burn is exemplary: approximately 0.5 gallon per hour at slow cruise (2100 rpm/6 knots), rising to a maximum of 1.5 gph at 3300 rpm. Fuel capacity totals 68 gallons via a new 45-gallon aluminum tank (August 2001) and a new 23-gallon fiber tank (January 2004). Electrical reserves include two 12-volt starting batteries plus three 12-volt “house” batteries totaling 360Ah, supported by a Xantrax RV2012 charger and 1500W inverter. Fresh water is carried in a stainless-steel 75-gallon tank located beneath the forward berth, and original brass water pumps serve both galley and head.

Climate and cooking comforts are thoroughly traditional and thoroughly practical. A Red Dot R-290 forced-air heater warms the pilothouse and main cabin with 2000 BTU drawn from the engine heat exchanger, while the restored original Sound-brand cast-iron galley stove with stainless oven burns kerosene at roughly 1 quart per hour, supplied by a 15-gallon tank in the bow. Hot water is provided by a 10-gallon stainless tank heated by the galley stove. Lighting is via 12-volt original crystal fixtures, with new wiring installed throughout in 2004. The water closet is a SeaEra 12-volt macerating unit plumbed to a 24-gallon waste tank.

Navigation and communication are robustly specified: a Ross fathometer to 240 feet, a Garmin 3010C GPS color moving-map chartplotter with GDL 30A marine XM WX weather satellite receiver, and an ICOM IC-M59 VHF (new in 2001). Entertainment is by an XM Satellite AM/FM radio with tape deck and 6-CD changer, and both air and electric horns announce your presence.

Blanchard’s hallmark timber pedigree is intact: Western Red Cedar planking over White Oak framing with 1-3/8" x 1-1/4" bent frames, Douglas Fir deck beams at 1-1/8" x 2-1/4", and tongue-and-groove cedar decking sheathed in painted canvas. Systems include Rule and Par automatic bilge pumps with 1" discharges, cable steering, and ground tackle comprising a Bruce anchor with 50' chain and 250' line, plus a larger Danforth-type storm anchor with 50' chain and 250' line. Safety gear includes four dry-chemical fire extinguishers rated between 2.5 and 5 lb, eight life jackets, and a ring buoy. On the pilothouse roof rides the original 7'-6" lapstrake Western Red Cedar dinghy with White Oak frames; the mast and boom are rigged to lower and retrieve the skiff. Night operations benefit from twin searchlights, one 12-volt unit on the pilothouse roof and one removable 12-volt remote-control light on the bowsprit. In the main cabin, a clock and barometer keep faithful company, while two windshield wipers and a windshield fan assist the helmsman. Refrigeration is handled by a large 10 cu. ft. stainless-steel icebox with three access doors in the pilothouse; an Alder-Barbour compressor/evaporator delivers cooling while drawing only 5 amps.

Her accoutrements and refits speak to careful stewardship: original crystal “Mer-Na” glassware, burgundy mohair upholstery throughout, all new through-hulls in 2004, and a completely rewired and re-fused electrical system the same year, complemented by a galvanic isolator, inverter, and charger. In 2007 the hull was completely stripped; the forward keel and garboards were found rotten and replaced; new ribs were sistered to the forward four stations; the remainder of the timber was confirmed in excellent condition and documented with photographs. The entire hull was refastened with 4000 hot-dipped galvanized screws, every head sealed with two-part West epoxy; wood below the waterline was wadded and caulked, and the boat was repainted with two coats of primer and three topcoats. The transom was completely rebuilt in 2015. MER-NA is that rare pleasure: a final-series Blanchard Dreamboat, sympathetically modernized where it matters, elegantly original where it counts, and ready for her next devoted custodian.

Other details

The particulars of this vessel are offered in good faith, yet no guarantee is made as to their absolute accuracy nor to the present condition of the yacht. Prospective purchasers are encouraged to instruct their agents or surveyors to investigate any details they wish to have verified. This offering is subject to prior sale, price change, or withdrawal from the market without notice.

Features

Thoughtfully outfitted for confident cruising, the yacht accepts shore power through a dedicated inlet and carries an inverter for seamless onboard AC, while her electronics suite includes a depthsounder, autopilot, radio, compass, GPS, cockpit speakers, and VHF for clear situational awareness and communication. Interior amenities are equally comprehensive, with a stern thruster for precise low-speed control, an electric bilge pump for vigilant dewatering, an oven for proper galley service, a marine head complemented by an electric macerating head, efficient heating, a refrigerator to keep provisions shipshape, and a battery charger to maintain dependable reserves.

Propulsion

Propelled by a Yanmar P4JH2E inboard diesel delivering a total of 51 hp and showing 4267 hours, this installation drives a direct-drive shaft for smooth, efficient thrust. A three-blade bronze propeller completes the reliable, low-vibration package that suits the yacht’s classic lines and measured cruising ambitions.

Specifications

She settles into an effortless 8‑knot cruising rhythm and measures 36 ft length overall with a 9.5 ft beam and a 36 ft length at the waterline. Tankage is arranged for independence under way, with one 75‑gallon fresh‑water tank, two 34‑gallon fuel tanks, and one 24‑gallon holding tank. Accommodations are arranged for convivial cruising, with two double berths, one twin berth, and a single head.