RS300 vs Blaze

   Pulled out of the Caron Vs Glass thread as I feel a new one is in order.......

Whats the availability of the Blaze versus the RS300 and prices (captive audience....may as well ask them).

I know the RS py is 1000, how does the Blaze compare?

Would the relevant people say an RS would give me more of a challenge than a Blaze? (I am a relatively quick club sailor)

Seriously tempted by the RS300 though...just need to sell my 2 year old Laser (full XD kit, 2 sails one new and radial rig any takers?)....

I want a boat that is a challenge and that can give the Phantoms at my
club a hard time. You ask why not a Phantom, despite what the class says Phantoms look like too
much of a handful for my relatively light weight even with a carbon right (and I can't afford a down to weight Phantom with a carbon rig).

Paul

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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 Topic: RS300 vs Blaze Posted: 05 Jan 06 at 11:37am
	Pulled out of the Caron Vs Glass thread as I feel a new one is in order....... Whats the availability of the Blaze versus the RS300 and prices (captive audience....may as well ask them). I know the RS py is 1000, how does the Blaze compare? Would the relevant people say an RS would give me more of a challenge than a Blaze? (I am a relatively quick club sailor) Seriously tempted by the RS300 though...just need to sell my 2 year old Laser (full XD kit, 2 sails one new and radial rig any takers?).... I want a boat that is a challenge and that can give the Phantoms at my club a hard time. You ask why not a Phantom, despite what the class says Phantoms look like too much of a handful for my relatively light weight even with a carbon right (and I can't afford a down to weight Phantom with a carbon rig). Paul
	Paul ---------------------- D-Zero GBR 74

Olly4088 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Far too distracted from work Joined: 10 Jan 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 424	Post Options Post Reply Quote Olly4088 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 05 Jan 06 at 12:47pm
	Paul, The phantom is very quick and I did not find it to be as much of a handful as people make it out to be. And the 300 was equally as good as it was more of a challenging sail. Like you said the phantom is quite pricy but a good investment if you do get hold of one cheap. The best person to speak to is Jeff Vanderbought he has allot to do witht the phantom scene and also take phantoms in part exchange from people who have bought new ones he is very helpful and occasionally has very good 2nd hand boats. However if you dont want a phantom then the 300 is the way to go. Personally I would go for the phantom, once you have sold your laser become an escort for a few weekes and you should have enough money.
	Phantom 1298

Jamie600 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 14 Jun 05 Online Status: Offline Posts: 718	Post Options Post Reply Quote Jamie600 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 05 Jan 06 at 1:26pm
	Definately the 300, I owned one for a year and it was great, very responsive but not very forgiving. The Blaze (sailed once in F4) is a lot easier to sail and more stable, and probably not really any slower, but doesn't have the 'heart in mouth, sweaty palms, oh god I hope I don't nosdive cos it's going to really hurt' feeling of the RS. Think along the lines of Blaze = Ford GT40, RS300 = stripped out, race tuned Porche 911 turbo. It depends on what you want from a boat, if you want thrills and spills in a responsive boat that rewards good sailing get the RS, if you want speed without the hassle get the Blaze

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: 05 Jan 06 at 3:08pm
	For me there's no comparison - the RS300 is a lovely light responsive nimble boat and the Blaze...

Guests Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Guest Group	Post Options Post Reply Quote Guests Quote Reply Posted: 05 Jan 06 at 3:28pm
	I personally have no sailing experience of the blaze but ive sailed a 300 a few time and abosultly love it. from my view, the 300 vs a blaze is not a hard choice to make, 300 everytime! But really try them both. Different people like different boats so your bound to find that what some ppl love (eg me lovin 300's) could be what u hate. Ive got no doubt each class would be more than happy to set you up with a test sail if u cant find one to borrow for a wknd. Doug

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: 05 Jan 06 at 3:52pm
	There are none anywhere near me (unless there are some of either hiding a Grafham). I would want to try and get a test sail if I decide to take the plunge and change class. Any owners of either near Cambridge?
	Paul ---------------------- D-Zero GBR 74

Jamie600 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 14 Jun 05 Online Status: Offline Posts: 718	Post Options Post Reply Quote Jamie600 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 05 Jan 06 at 4:53pm
	Aldenham is probably your nearest one, or Bewl Valley
	RS600 1001

dics Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 05 Oct 05 Online Status: Offline Posts: 317	Post Options Post Reply Quote dics Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 05 Jan 06 at 4:56pm
	For a test sail in a 300 check out http://www.rs300.com/Features/clubs.htm

dics Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 05 Oct 05 Online Status: Offline Posts: 317	Post Options Post Reply Quote dics Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 05 Jan 06 at 4:57pm
	No boats at Bewl - all moved to Bough Beech

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: 05 Jan 06 at 5:19pm
	Oh Here we go again !! - The only answer is to try all those in contention and make up your own mind as to what you like and suits your style of sailing. I've sailed and raced them all and ended up returning to the Blaze - but that's not to imply the others mentioned are not good boats, just simply that the Blaze suited my style of sailing. The only true advice that can be given is NEVER totally believe any of us here (or the makers of course) as we all have own favorites but perhaps you should be particularly careful of views where the contributer has not personally raced the boat concerned !! I'm very impressed myself by modern Finn's but having not sailed one at all for many years cannot give an adaquate assessment etc ..... but it still looks fantastic. However if you (or anyone else) want to try a Blaze, we are running an association demo boat out of Burghfield SC in January. You get it for half a day and then for a single race in the open 'Burgfield Blaze SIX-Pack' series - no charge. If this does not suit we can arrange alternative 'tries'. And if it's really not for you then at least YOU will be able to give an informed opinion when asked yourself. No obligation or pressure whatsoever. Just contact us via www.blaze-sailing.org.uk There is also some video of the 2005 Nationals to view via the home page. Good Luck ! Regards - Mike '720' Blaze Class Association