Merritt · Hull No. 13 · 1965 · 2 names since 1965

Black Bart

FormerlyHopalong

Merritt Hull 13, a 42-footer launched in 1965 as Hopalong and known since as Black Bart.

Build sheetMerritt · Hull No. 13 · 1965

Designer
Merritt's Boat & Engine Works, in-house
Built for
Fletch Creamer
Construction
Strip-planked yellow cedar on mahogany frames

Her story, name by name

  1. From 1965

    Hopalong

    Confirmed · merrittboat.com, Wikipedia

  2. 1965

    Delivery

    Launched 1965 as Hopalong, Hull 13 in the yard's registry, 42 feet. Built for Fletch Creamer with Capt. Buddy Lander. As Black Bart under Bart Miller she took a 1,656 lb Pacific blue marlin, won the 1975 Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament by a 2,000-point margin, and was the first boat to land more than 100 blue marlin in a Kona season.

    Confirmed · merrittboat.com, Wikipedia

  3. Undated

    Black BartCurrent

    Reported · Wikipedia

  4. 1975

    Tournament · name at the time not on record

    Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament, Kona: won by a 2,000-point margin as Black Bart, Bart Miller.

    Reported · Wikipedia

SistersOther Merritt 42s, then 1965 builds

  1. No. 17Cat's Meowlaunched as Caliban · 3 names since 1968No. 17 · 42196842 ft
  2. Picaflorlaunched as Caliban II · 3 names since 1969No. 18 · 42196942 ft
  3. Caliban IIINo. 19 · 42197242 ft
  4. Jane-S VNo. 20 · 42197342 ft
  5. No. 21Nanylaunched as Sansouri · 3 names since 1974No. 21 · 42197442 ft
  6. No. 22Fighting Lady3 names since 1974No. 22 · 42197442 ft

Not yet on record: photographs. Know this boat? Send us what you have.