singlehander for lightish man

Originally posted by jeffers Rupert, You should try a Blaze (shameless plug). We have a number of sailors in the class who have come from other classes and found the Blaze less of a pig and much more rewarding! Paul

I've sailed Ian Moss's Blaze at Whitefriars, and it does feel good. At 5'5 and less than 11 stone, I just found it rather big in anything over about a 3, and also big to lug around the boatpark. I guess the trouble is I've grown up sailing Fireflies, and anything much longer than that feels too big for a singlehander!

As for the 300, I'd say that 11 stone is on the light side, as from what I've heard the smaller rig doesn't seem to be as quick as the big one even allowing for the lighter person? Please correct me if I'm wrong! Laser EPS on the other hand loves a light weight helm.

Laser EPS, came out about the same time as the Blaze/RS300, but was too expensive and somewhat weight intolerant. It is one of those Marmite boats - either love it or hate it, no one seems to think "oh, well, its OK I soppose".

Well i'm the same weight as you and I moved from a 300 to a Byte as I was fed up with worrying about going out if it was 4-5 now I love the big winds and will happily sail long after the race officer has packed up and gone home.  S it depends where your sailing and what you want.

Not that the 300 isn't a great boat tho!!

This is the argument for having an adjustable forestay you can drop the rig back which depowers it (as well as using plenty of cunningham and not much kicker). Just playing in the breeze today I only really felt overpowers 20% of the time.

Going to pay for it tomorrow though. It is horses for courses though. They byte is a great little boat, less complicated than the Europe and it does look good with those mylar sails.

Paul

I believe (and others more learned than me can confirm this) that when you rake the rig back it helps to exhaust the excess power out the top of the sail (when used in conjunction with the cunningham). With the Blaze you don't need to use the kicker upwind unless you are seriously overpowered! Raking the rig back also helps the boat to point (can't explain this as I have never had a good explanation myself) but you do lose power so it is finding the right rake for the conditions. I was mainly on my medium setting this weekend even though is was blowing 18kts+  just used the cunningham to control the power upwind.

Boat does fly in those winds!

Blaze 720 is not keen on the forestay and given that he is current inland and national champion his opinion must count but it is horses for courses!

Paul