Query Number: 1111-1 November 2011
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Requested Information:
Bert writes ” I’m researching Blaine Seeley & American MARC boat designs and am looking for any further information. I own an American MARC Baroda and am interested in the history and where the mold may have ended up.”
After contacting me Bert received the following from Steve Dubnoff:
“He was, as I understand, sort of the go-to Navel Architect for the rich and famous of Newport Beach/Hollywood. My boat, (http://www.mvnereid.com/index.html) for instance had the TV producer, David Wolper as its first owner and the whole series of boats was inspired by Claire Trevor’s husband, who owned another in the series.
As far as I know, nothing of his office files or drawings have survived. I did get an email from his daughter, who found me on the web. Her mother had separated from his father when she was young, and she was quite proud to see her father’s work. “
Requester: Bert Flora | info@mnboats.net
Initial Response Information:
I can’t find a bio or obit or gravesite for Blaine – seems strange since he was such an important naval architect.
1930 census Long Beach, Los Angeles, CA
Newland, Minnie, age 60, widow b. IL, GER, GER, 1st ms at age 22
Seeley, Grace, dau., widow, age 35 b. MO, KY, IL, dept store saleslady, 1st md at age 25
Seeley, Blaine, age 6, grandson b. CA, CA, MO
Heard, Harry, boarder, widower age 43 b. LA, MO, MO, truck salesman
1920 census Los Angeles, Los Angels, CA
Newland, Minnie J age 53, widow b. IL, Holland, IL
Newland, Grace A age 25 b. MO, KY, IL, milliner
CA Death Index
Blaine Newland Seeley
SS #: 552385202
Born: 28 Jul 1923 in CA
Died: 10 Oct 1984 in Orange Co. CA
Mother’s maiden name: Newland
CA Birth Index
Blaine N Seeley b. 28 Jul 1923 in San Diego Co., mother’s maiden name: Newland
Articles mentioning Blaine Seeley:
Columbia Yacht Corporation
Selections from Heart of Glass by Daniel Spurr pages 141, 182-187
Spurr, Daniel, Heart of Glass: fiberglass boats and the men who made them
ISBN 0-07-157983-4 Copyright 2000 Daniel Spurr
… One of the main reasons for the Columbia’s popularity is use of outstanding marine architects such as Sparkman & Stevens, Wirth Monroe (designer of the SORC winner Comanche), Charles Morgan (designer of Paper Tiger), two-time SORC winner), and Blaine Seeley, one of Newport s leading naval architects and designer of the powerboat line.
and
AMERICAN MARC Incorporated, 1601 West Florence Ave., Inglewood, Calif
By Bruce Gerard
American M.A.R.C. started out as a manufacturer of small, light-weight diesel engines that ranged from 1 H.P to 18 H.P. These engines were built for a variety of purposes from pumping water, to the generation of electric power. The majority of these engines were built for the U.S. Defense Department. In the late 1950s, the company began a public offering of shares in an effort to expand and improve production capacity and reduce manufacturing costs.
In an attempt to diversify it’s portfolio, American Marc made the bold move to enter the boat manufacturing business. This foray into the consumer leisure market appears to have been very brief, lasting from 1959 to perhaps, the early part of 1961.
To design the new line of boats, American Marc chose an accomplished young naval architect named Blaine Seeley. Seeley attempted to create a variety of designs that would appeal to many different consumer profiles. Models ranged from the sporty “Stardust”, a 15 foot two – seater, all the way up to the impressive “Marc 28” Motor Yacht, powered by twin American Marc diesel inboard engines.
Blaine also appears in numerous Navy Muster Rolls during WWII.
If any of our readers has further information on Blaine Seeley, especially the name of his father, please contact me.
Responder: Query Editor
