Blitzen: An 11 ft Runabout Clocked at 47 mph
A compact 11 ft 2 in runabout by William D. Jackson that tops 40 mph on a 10 to 25 hp outboard, with 47 mph clocked on a Mercury.
Blitzen is small, light and very quick. William D. Jackson's runabout measures 11 ft 2 in (3.4 m) with a 4 ft 7 in (1.4 m) beam, seats four, and goes over 40 mph on a 10 to 25 hp outboard; one was clocked at 47 mph with a Mercury. The hull is 1/4 in. plywood over a stressed two-frame framework, keeping weight down. If you love the idea of a pocket speedster, this one delivers.
Blitzen at a glance
| Detail | Blitzen |
|---|---|
| Type | Outboard runabout |
| Length | 11 ft 2 in (3.4 m) |
| Beam | 4 ft 7 in (1.4 m) |
| Capacity | 4 persons |
| Construction | 1/4 in. plywood over a stressed two-frame framework |
| Power | 10–25 hp outboard; over 40 mph, 47 mph clocked with a Mercury |
| Designer | William D. Jackson |
| First published | Boat Builder's Handbook, p. 121 |
| Craft Print | No. 174 |
| Plan sheets | 6 |
Light means fast
Thin 1/4 in. plywood over a stressed two-frame structure gives a stiff, light hull, and light hulls plane easily. That is how Blitzen reaches more than 40 mph without needing a big engine. At 11 ft 2 in (3.4 m), it is easy to trailer and store, and the 4 ft 7 in (1.4 m) beam still seats four people. Six sheets keep the plans focused on the essentials.
The original plan sheets
These are the 6 original sheets, scanned from the magazine. For building, use the full-size PDF in the download section below.
Who designed it
William D. Jackson drew Blitzen for the Boat Builder's Handbook, page 121, as Craft Print 174. The six sheets cover the stressed framework and the 1/4 in. plywood skin. It is one of his liveliest small outboard designs.
Before you build
- Stay within the 10 to 25 hp range, as this light hull was designed around it.
- Fit good steering gear and flotation, because over 40 mph in a small boat leaves little margin for error.
- Run at full speed only in calm water and with fewer than four aboard until you know the boat.
Download the plan
Blitzen's six original sheets in one file, ready to print full size or open on a tablet while you build.
Download the complete plan (PDF, 6 sheets, 4 MB)
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