The Clark Boat Company, a name synonymous with innovation and accessible sailing, left an indelible mark on the marine industry during its quarter-century of operation. Founded by the visionary Bob Clark, this Washington-based builder became a powerhouse in fiberglass sailboat production, known for its well-built, easily sailable, and value-driven vessels.
The story of Clark Boat Company begins in 1960 in Kent, Washington, near Seattle, with its founder, Bob Clark. Driven by a passion for sailing and an eye for emerging technologies, Clark established his company with a clear vision: to produce high-quality fiberglass sailboats. The company's inaugural vessel, a Lightning, was a significant milestone, being one of the first fiberglass Lightnings to hit the market. This early adoption of fiberglass technology underscored Clark's forward-thinking approach and set the stage for the company's future successes. The entire Clark family was deeply involved in the company's operations from the outset, embedding a familial dedication into the brand's identity.
History and Evolution
From its founding, Clark Boat Company rapidly expanded its production capabilities and influence. Initially focusing on popular one-design classes, the company built OK dinghies, 505s, Thistles, and Stars. A significant achievement in this early phase was the dominance of Clark-built Star boats, which secured first and second place at the 1970 Star World's championship. Notably, the "plug" for these winning boats was crafted by Olympic gold medalist and long-time Star boat enthusiast, Bill Buchan, with Clark building the molds and hulls.
The company's growth led to a major expansion in 1972 with the opening of a second manufacturing plant in New Bern, North Carolina, significantly increasing its production capacity. Throughout its history, the Clark family remained integral to the business. Bob's son, Dennis Clark, established Clark Sails Loft in 1971, proving himself a champion in various one-design classes, while another son, Dave Clark, took charge of sales and marketing. Don Clark, with a degree in engineering and additional training in Naval Architecture, played a pivotal role as a designer for many of the company's successful models.
In the spring of 1984, after 24 years of successful operation, Clark Boat Company was sold to San Juan Manufacturing. Unfortunately, this new ownership group soon faced bankruptcy. As a result, the valuable boat molds and rights were divided and sold to two separate groups, one on the West Coast and one on the East Coast. Some of the East Coast molds ultimately found their way to Tanzer Industries, which produced a small number of boats until 1988, marking the final chapter of direct production from Clark's original designs.
Design Philosophy and Identity
Clark Boat Company quickly earned a reputation for producing "well made, easily sailable boats that provided a solid value for the family sailor." This philosophy guided their transition from primarily one-design racers to a broader range of recreational sailboats, including popular trailerable cruiser-racers. The company was known for common manufacturing methods of the time, including gelcoat applied to a hull mold, followed by a hand-laid fiberglass construction, ensuring robust and durable boats.
A key to Clark's design success was its collaboration with talented naval architects. Don Clark, Bob Clark's son, was instrumental in designing several popular models, including the groundbreaking San Juan 21, and later the San Juan 26 and the San Juan 28/29. The company also forged a highly successful partnership with renowned designer Bruce Kirby, who penned the immensely popular San Juan 24 and the competitive San Juan 30. This blend of in-house talent and external expertise allowed Clark to offer a diverse range of innovative and well-performing boats.
Iconic Models and Legacy
Clark Boat Company produced a stable of iconic models that left a lasting legacy in the sailing community:
- Lightning: As the first boat built under the Clark Boat Company name, it was a pioneering fiberglass Lightning, showcasing the company's innovative use of materials.
- One-Designs: Beyond the Lightning, Clark's strong presence in the one-design circuit with OK Dinghies, 505s, Thistles, and especially the victorious Star boats, solidified their reputation for quality and performance.
- San Juan 21: Designed by Don Clark and introduced in 1969, the San Juan 21 was an instant success. Displayed at the 1970 Seattle Boat Show, its popularity soared, with approximately 2,600 units built, making it one of Clark's most significant achievements and establishing the "San Juan" line.
- San Juan 24: Launched in 1972 and designed by Bruce Kirby, the San Juan 24 became a highly successful 1/4 ton racer. Over 1,000 of these boats were built, cementing its status as the "most popular Quarter Tonner ever."
- San Juan 30: Bruce Kirby again teamed with Clark in 1975 to develop the San Juan 30, an IOR 1/2 ton racer. Around 360 units were built, and these boats were successful in Half Ton and other IOR events.
- San Juan 26: Introduced in 1975 and designed by Don Clark, this trailer sailor featured a swing keel. It wasn't as widely embraced as earlier models and was later replaced by the racier San Juan 7.7 in 1979.
- San Juan 23: A scaled-down version of the San Juan 26, the San Juan 23 was introduced in 1977. It offered versatility with options for either a fixed or swing keel and two different rig sizes.
- San Juan 28/29: Also introduced in 1977 and designed by Don Clark, the San Juan 28 (and its nearly identical counterpart, the San Juan 29) were among the most popular boats built by Clark, with over 300 San Juan 28s produced.
The Builder Today
While the Clark Boat Company ceased operations in 1984, its legacy lives on through the thousands of well-built sailboats that continue to ply waters around the world. The company's dissolution and the subsequent division of its molds meant that no single entity carried forward the Clark name directly. However, the enduring popularity of models like the San Juan 21 and San Juan 24 speaks volumes about the quality and thoughtful design that characterized Clark's output.
Today, Clark-built boats are highly regarded in the used boat market, appealing to those seeking robust, dependable, and often trailerable sailboats that offer excellent value. Strong owner communities, particularly for the San Juan models, actively maintain these boats, share knowledge, and continue to enjoy the accessible sailing experience that Bob Clark envisioned decades ago. The "San Juan" moniker, in particular, remains a recognized name among sailors, a testament to the lasting impact of the Clark Boat Company on recreational sailing.
