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Sam.Spoons View Drop Down
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    Posted: 13 Sep 16 at 4:47pm
Yup, got that, same issue as Laser/Europe/Solution/Solo etc. I wouldn't say it's 'not my thang' just that I'm probably not as good at sitting out (okay..... hiking..... bloody Americans) as 'dem yoofs' you mention. Happy to do a bit of grunting and straining, when it hurts too much, as GRF says, it's time to tack.

The more relaxed hiking position is the big attraction of the Blaze along with the performance. I can't help feeling it'll be a handful when it blows where I might just go for a blast in an Aero/Europe/WHY. 

My gut feeling is for something hairy in a blow (Spice) and something forgiving (one of t'others) enough to reach up and down when it's blowing the seagulls off the telegraph wires gives me the most time on the water.


Edited by Sam.Spoons - 13 Sep 16 at 4:59pm
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Post Options Post Options   Quote Guests Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Sep 16 at 4:27pm
Pompey sailer is right. The Aero is very much a hiking boat and gives you a decent workout. 

If thats not your thang,  the Blaze will obviously be faster if you hike like a yoof, but are mostly seen sailed as perch and lean - quite civilised next to grunting and hiking...
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Posts: 3401 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Sam.Spoons Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Sep 16 at 4:01pm
Not so bothered about the open meeting circuit, lifestyle doesn't allow the chance to travel to meetings at present (and probably won't in the future) I'm looking for some club handicap racing and free sailing in Holyhead Bay when I'm away (most weekends in the season plus all August). 

I'm lazy on the beach so a sub-50kg boat is attractive (sub-30kg even better). The main things that steer me away from the Blaze are weight (ok, its pretty light but doesn't look it, my wife thinks my Spice is too heavy for me to manage myself, my father had a heart attack an died lifting a boat when he was 55 so she worries) and it, maybe, overlaps the Spice in the 'sailing experience' dept, similar kind of boat/performance characteristics. I think I may get more sailing satisfaction overall out of an open water blaster (Spice) and a puddle jumper (Aero/Europe/D-Zero/Solution/RS300 etc) rather than two boats both best suited to open water. 


Edited by Sam.Spoons - 13 Sep 16 at 6:35pm
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pompeysailor View Drop Down
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Posts: 101 		Post Options Post Options   Quote pompeysailor Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Sep 16 at 3:46pm
5'6" and 75kg - you would enjoy the Blaze and not feel out of place within the fleet. Based on reading 6 or 7 pages of messages I would suggest the Blaze or Streaker/Lightning. Depending on how active you want to be on the open circuit you might struggle with the Aero and D-Zero against the 6foot sailors or hiking hard youths.
Formerly - OK 2145 Phantom 1437, Blaze 819, Fireball 14668, Mirror 54145
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Post Options Post Options   Quote Guests Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Sep 16 at 3:34pm

Graham, with respect, I don't think you had enough of a sail in an Aero. Most people get in one and sail them with the rig looking awful. Its a dead straight mast and needs some kicker pretty much always. At times it needs lots of kicker, far more than you may think. Sail one for a few weeks and you will find they are delightful upwind, even in waves and dead easy to keep in a groove. On a reach they leave lasers behind and yet are more stable and easier to gybe. I accept that for pond crawlers a c/b is less likely to cause damage. 

In about 18 months I have seen numbers for at least 800 new aeros, the vast majority of which are UK based so not surprising that a few are up for sale at any one point as thats many many times more sales than the other boats mentioned. I 'd agree with Cirrus that its a good boat and fleets are gaining traction here and abroad.

D-zero is a very nice sail and bit more of an adjustable rig. Its definitely a good choice at places like Hunts and Grafham.

I'd also look at a Supernova which has been on a roll since Hartleys took it over. I sailed one for three years until two years ago and enjoyed it. Long and light, with a very adjustable rig and power control.  The Nationals had about 40 boats from memory, but this years Nationals are up to 100 boats, so very successful Class Association.

Blaze is well proven and developed by Cirrus. Hartleys early discount means it will have a blip up this year and I guess will be on an upward trajectory for a while. They seem pretty long lasting boats and if the class is expanding should keep their value well.
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Posts: 3401 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Sam.Spoons Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Sep 16 at 2:49pm
The club I am a member (though inactive so far) lists in it's series results :-

D-Zero (x2)
Aero 7
Lightning 368
Streaker
Phantom
Laser/Radial/EPS
and Comet

So enough to be getting on with there. I will cease being inactive and go and blag a sail or two :)
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Posts: 6499 		Post Options Post Options   Quote iGRF Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Sep 16 at 2:04pm
Originally posted by jeffers


(NB the D-Zero does have adjustable rake...just saying).....


On the fly? I thought it had things that had to be moved from front to back, 'wedgies' not that overpowering is an issue with that fabulous rig.

D Zero Rig on Solution Hull = Heaven.

Edited by iGRF - 13 Sep 16 at 2:05pm
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Posts: 3048 		Post Options Post Options   Quote jeffers Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Sep 16 at 1:55pm
Originally posted by iGRF

 I didn't notice any features to rake the rig on the fly with the Aero but I could be wrong.

The mast pot on the Aero is fixed, same as a Laser is so no rake adjustment possible (NB the D-Zero does have adjustable rake...just saying).....
Paul
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Posts: 6499 		Post Options Post Options   Quote iGRF Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Sep 16 at 1:43pm
OK so Solution v Aero.

1)You can get back into a Solution easier than an Aero should you fall out so far it's only happened to me twice and one of those where I missed the hiking strap and chucked myself in.

2)It's less likely to ahem 'blow away' in very strong winds

3)If you hit something underwater hard it's less likely to split the case.

4)It's easier to find an upwind 'groove' than the Aero which personally I found tricky even on relatively flat Grafham water, the 9m sail flow point wanders, however I bet it's not such a problem with the Aero 7.

5)The Solution sail size is optimum, at <70kgs I can handle the 8.5 in quite lively winds and it depowers quite easily from a control right there next to you. I didn't notice any features to rake the rig on the fly with the Aero but I could be wrong.

Those are the key points that make the boat such a pleasant and controllable ride over the Aero, yes the Aero is lighter, yes it's newer and has cup holders and very nice trick features like the rudder pintle attachment system and yes it's been a runaway success which is great to see, but as a committed racer, on a lake with underwater obstacles, over all the others except the Blaze which i also fancy revisting with my new found single hander skills some day, it is the nicest small tactical dinghy I've come across, ask me how quick it tacks...

Edited by iGRF - 13 Sep 16 at 1:47pm
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Posts: 3048 		Post Options Post Options   Quote jeffers Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Sep 16 at 1:37pm
Surprising that you have now discounted the D-Zero. Numbers are growing steadily and the fleet has an enthusiastic following. The few boats that have appeared for sale second hand have been quickly snapped up.

You say you are in Anglesey, there is a good fleet of D-Zeros at Shotwick Lake near Chester and I am sure one of the guys there would be happy for you to take their boat out for a spin. If you want some contact details then drop me a PM. Failing that Boat Bits are the Northern Sales agent and will sort you out with a demo.
Paul
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