RS300 vs Blaze

   I'm not a sailor of any of these boats but the idea of a combined event for the 3 sounds like a great idea.  Let's face it - get a couple of shifts right and it makes more of a difference than their descrepancies in PY.  Then of course there are those occasions when each is favoured by the weather, it could be an interesting event.  Perhaps you should include the EPS as well, which I have enjoyed on a couple of occasions.

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redback Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 16 Mar 04 Location: Tunbridge Wells Online Status: Offline Posts: 1502	Post Options Post Reply Quote redback Report Post Quote Reply Topic: RS300 vs Blaze Posted: 10 Jan 06 at 12:49am
	I'm not a sailor of any of these boats but the idea of a combined event for the 3 sounds like a great idea. Let's face it - get a couple of shifts right and it makes more of a difference than their descrepancies in PY. Then of course there are those occasions when each is favoured by the weather, it could be an interesting event. Perhaps you should include the EPS as well, which I have enjoyed on a couple of occasions.

blaze720 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 28 Sep 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 1635	Post Options Post Reply Quote blaze720 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 09 Jan 06 at 7:53pm
	Grey Virgin Not a bad appraisal in part but you simply have to try a Blaze to get the full picture. There are perhaps more 'bar myths' and opinions around it than any of the others ! Implying it might only be suited for 'slow helms' is frankly inaccurate and misleading. It is just as possible to say that the 300 is a 'slow helms' version of the Moth which I think you will agree requires a much higher skill level ... or that a Contender is a 'slow helms' RS600. It's missing the point entirely and I think you should agree that the Phantom could just as easily, be labled as suitable for 'slower' helms, but that description does not serve as an appropriate summary for that great boat either. The Laser, Solo etc are 'easier' boats as well but that means really big fleets and fantastic racing for a lot of people. We enjoy exceptionally large fleets relative to our numbers as well and tight racing in a wide range of conditions because more people can extract the available performance more of the time - capable helms really will find it no less challenge though !. That does mean that the tactical side becomes especially important in these classes and along the way the vast majority of helms have a great time. I have competitively raced all three mentioned by you, like all three and appreciate their differing qualities. I choose to sail the boat that best suits where I like to sail in the sort of weather range that give me a personal 'high' - anyway each to their own and I'm sure we could get you a sail if you wanted in a Blaze. Come along .... why don't the CA's get together and organise a shared meeting along similar lines to 'fastsail'.... Last year I spoke to several other CA's about the possibility of a 'single-sail, hiking multi-class singlehander event' - Datchet are interested and would be prepared to host it. Anyone in the 300's, Phantom's, or any other class interested ? Let's meet up at the Dinghy Show in March. Regards - Mike '720' Blaze Class Association

Grey_virgin Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 18 Mar 04 Online Status: Offline Posts: 2	Post Options Post Reply Quote Grey_virgin Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 09 Jan 06 at 3:55pm
	I'd just like to my point to RS300 / Blaze / Phantom discussion. Having sailed both RS300's & Phantoms at the top level, both are great boats as probably is the Blaze. Any moderate ablity Laser sailer should be able to understand the rig and techniques needed to sail them all well. All will perform well on handicap if sailed on the right sized water (for the boat). RS300 - Its a single handed skiff and should be sailed acordingly it needs between 75 & 95 KGS to work well It likes slightly larger lakes to perform well i.e. Oxford, Datchet, Grafham, Chew, Bristol etc. but probably not Burghfield (even you have some of the best 300 sailors in the country) as its all about boatspeed & handling therefore its not into loads of tacking, optimum winds more than people think...10-15mph. Its fast at running as you can run by the lee etc, however can be a big wobbly downwind espically in waves (but that just makes it even more fun) Blaze - Its got a little more boat in the water, therefore slower in the lighter stuff but the racks give you a huge amount leverage in a breeze, also as its not "On the edge in a breeze" in the same way as the RS300 therefore would suit a slightly slower helm (without reflex's of a cat) Phantom - Its the bigger mans boat, crew weights range between 85-105 KGS. mainly as it has a much longer waterline length. Its slower on handicap & some people call it mis rated (or worse) however this is because the boat is optimised to the smaller lake, its has a greater sail area in relation to its width & loves 5-10 mph with loads of shifts If you want to go fast when its blowing you really need to be >95KGS. Top 3 at last years nationals were 103, 104 & 105 KGS (it was windy) add waves and it slows right down in comparison with the other 2 However its also a great sail with slightly larger fleets at the nationals (70+ club) The Phantom has the most complicated rig (including options of builders & sailmakers) This possibly makes the Phantom slightly more expensive in the long run. You pays your money & you makes your choice, everytime you will be better off sailing against other boats in the same class as you. Otherwise consider the venue you will be sailing at most often. This can either make you a cowboy or a slow boy...depends on the conditions... WG (2006)

jeffers Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 29 Mar 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 3048	Post Options Post Reply Quote jeffers Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 09 Jan 06 at 9:29am
	I look forward to it Mike, I may even have a new boat by then. Having missed last years show due to the arrival of a little bundle of joy I am determined to get there this year.
	Paul ---------------------- D-Zero GBR 74

Rupert Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 11 Aug 04 Location: Whitefriars sc Online Status: Offline Posts: 8956	Post Options Post Reply Quote Rupert Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 08 Jan 06 at 9:57pm
	"and by HP who sponsor" The sauce or the computers??! The former would probebly mean better tasting chips after sailing, wouldn't it, but I suspect it is in the latter that the money resides!
	Firefly 2324, Puffin 229, Minisail 3446 Mirror 70686

blaze720 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 28 Sep 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 1635	Post Options Post Reply Quote blaze720 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 08 Jan 06 at 6:16pm
	.....Not going to make it to the boat show but I will definitely try and get to Ali Pali. Are the respective classes going to have stands there aside from the manufacturers? We have been there independently as the Blaze class association for many years already. We are totally and only funded by our memebers and by HP who sponsor several of our events each year. See you there ..... Regards - Mike (Blaze class association) www.blaze-sailing.org.uk

jeffers Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 29 Mar 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 3048	Post Options Post Reply Quote jeffers Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 08 Jan 06 at 5:07pm
	Not going to make it to the boat show but I will definitely try and get to Ali Pali. Are the respective classes going to have stands there aside from the manufacturers? I am having a winter off anyway to give myself a rest and so I am fighting fit for March/April when I will be back on the water. Paul
	Paul ---------------------- D-Zero GBR 74

fizzicist Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Far too distracted from work Joined: 06 Aug 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 305	Post Options Post Reply Quote fizzicist Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 07 Jan 06 at 6:50pm
	Well said Mike! I was reacting to one post made earlier in this thread though ;)
	Not all chemicals are bad. Without chemicals such as hydrogen and oxygen, for example, there would be no way to make water, a vital ingredient in beer.

blaze720 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 28 Sep 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 1635	Post Options Post Reply Quote blaze720 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 06 Jan 06 at 11:50pm
	Hi Again - I don't think there was much criticism of the 300, from the Blaze and Phantom fans at least, its a great boat - but one amongst a number of others. But it is a demanding one and not perhaps for everybody. Everybody should ultimately sail what they prefer though and I hope we'd be the last to 'pan' anybody else's favorite. There is no such thing as the 'nicest' or 'best' hiking singlehander anyway and it's all down to the individual to decide for themsleves what they prefer. I'm simply delighted that people want to sail racing dingies of any type and perhaps we could move on a bit from the "my team is the only good team" sentiments - no Man.U fan is ever going to convince a London club follower they are the 'best team' or vice versa so perhaps we should all agree that it would be exceedingly boring if we all raced the same boats .... and actualy appreciate the fact we have a number of really good and worthy choices available for us in the UK. Don't waste any more time here - it's all a load of b****cks anyway, put on the steamer and just try them all ! and if it's too cold have a look over them at the Boat Show and drink a Guiness or two before you buy one. Cheers - Mike '720' Blaze Class Association

JimC Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 17 May 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 6662	Post Options Post Reply Quote JimC Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 06 Jan 06 at 8:56pm
	Must agree. For my money the RS300 is by far the nicest SMOD singlehander. In fact if either a) they were easy to pick up secondhand (lke Hen's teeth last summer when I was looking) or b) the IC hadn't announced a potential weight reduction I'd probably have one now.