Devotti Single Hander

Sorry to disagree with you Paul, but sailing in the Wash (high tidal flow, very shallow shelving beach's), the ability to have some control at all time when launching and recovering is pretty important. The use of a dagger style rudder is a real no-no.  On my 700 I've even put on a plastic downhaul cleat to minimise damage if I do get it wrong.

Ian

RS700 GBR960

www.sail4cancer.org

Mixed messages .... ?

Don't see contradiction really - we are not changing the current Blaze unless the CA and vast majority of owners wanted it.  It is their CA and Cirrus would be foolish in the extreme to impose change or change the style of racing while they are buying more and more boats.  

However we are developing a new class, working title is 'Blaze 100' based around the Blaze hull to keep costs and risks to builder and early buyers low - it will not be an equalised Blaze or even be called a Blaze when finished.  This allows us to consider a different overall package and that might well mean a second sail - if the target market wants it and more critically is prepared to pay for it.  Only trials will tell us for sure.  The focus is initially on offering an ultra efficient and highly refined mast'/sail combination and then we will see ...  Whatever we do the performance is intended to be higher and it will be optimised towards the heavier helm.  

We of course do what our current and potential customers want but the standard Blaze is still establishing itself after the change in direction (and builder).  It is still untried by the vast majority of helms who race singlehanders for example - something we need to change with the CA.  We therefore still have a massive job to do and our business model is based upon lower 'marketing spend' and much more 'word of mouth' and 'try one' - even closer to traditional CA classes than most modern SMOD practice.    So if you have not tried one - ask. 

There is something for everyone out there just about - at least in the UK.  Any new offering has to be judged very carefully especially in the current economic environment and not all great ideas make it.  If you are interested in what we Cirrus are doing however why not get in direct contact ?   We will be running demonstrations / trials in the next few months and do respond to feedback.  

In summary - If enough want it and are prepared to back 'want' with money it generally gets done so we are always happy to talk as with the group who approached us about a tentative '100' (maybe off the forum though !).  However the dinghy market can be a fickle friend and the case for a new variant or SMOD class has to be very convincing and these days perhaps be as applicable beyond the UK.  There are one or two niches we are looking at currently ........

Blaze 720 (aka Cirrus)