Blaze X

Information is always available ..... The first so called 'X' was from number 654 - about 80+ boats ago.  This was very much a marketing name given to it by Topper who manufactured it then for Blazes produced by them from that point onwards.  The revised rig was standard from 2001 on new boats.  The deck moulding had a couple of tweaks but everthing else remained the same including hull, spars etc.  The Centreboard went from 21mm to 25mm thick and the engineering of the wings was improved plus a carbon boom became standard but that was about it and the so called Mk1's remain as potent as ever with a goodish sail.  Most previous ones have been modified to current specififcation by now in any case.

Both the most recent and the earliest come out of exactly the same tooling and the association have always ensured that all can be modified to the current specification at very modest cost if needed.  Boats are really quite robust and general condition is the best guide as in most classes.  Older boats remain competitive as the hulls are relatively light, and do not put on weight or go soft as they are all highly foamed and well manufactured .  So called 'X'  (later) foils are virtually the same and can be interchanged between all hulls.

Any problems -  nothing major.  The centreboard means that it's difficult to really smash hulls by running aground but check for hull scratching, the odd bent wing, (easily solved) knackered rudder stocks, bent masts etc again as with other classes.  If in doubt contact the association at www.blaze-sailing.org.uk, or via www.cirrusrace.com (Cirrus/Rondar who now manufacture the boat) for advice.  There is always lots of advice available plus race training and  good support.  The class is also well sponsored and regularly gets around 50 at its Nationals. (With lots of sponsors that include a real ale brewery this is not surprising really !)

Mike '720'

You guys looking at Assymetric's. Chap at my club asked me if I wanted ago in a test boat. What's the score on this?

We had a long chat about this at the AGM and decided that while we are happy for peple to play one of the biggest strengths of that Blaze is that it is a simple boat to rig and sail. It was felt the addition of an assymetric would lose the class more than it would gain it.

Paul

The official line ?  As said the AGM rejected this development with almost 100% against as the class is about simplicity and speed.  Nothing wrong with asymetrics but there are already many options out there and we've seen a few that are not great adverts for the idea - and just a few that are good.  The boat's strength is that it really is pocket rocket already on windy days and tight reaching generally - an additional sail would change this balance and we'd start wanting windward leeward courses etc - ie changing the character of our racing and making the Blaze less suited at many exisiting favorite locations and on reaching type courses.  Add to that additional cost, visibility issues offwind, extra weight etc and you can see why the AGM went the way it did.  We have arguably more in common with other single sail boats like the Laser, solo, OK and Phantom etc than we have with MX-ray, Vareo etc. 

The class technical officer, Peter Barlow was one of the experimenters and has just concluded that even a 'heretic' like him is not going to pursue it any further !  He decided that with a powerful rig already the appeal was going to be limited to light wind stuff - not quite what the Blaze is all about. (he said it was a great idea but he'd want a crew to blame when it blew  ! ) so it's KISS and appreciate what we've got already  ...

However if some owners want to experiment the association does not condemn them and watches with interest.

Blaze 720

Originally posted by turnturtle if you ever up draycote and want a pop in a vareo with front toe straps to see what it can really do, give me a bell.

Certainly will do, i may well be there one weekend in april so i'l take you up on that! 
You think weve done a good job of hijacking the blaze thread

So, blazes........ love the X-rig!  Im sure this question has been asked before, but assuming 2 brand new blaze X's were to race each other, one with the new sail and one with the old fully battoned sail, excusing boat handling differences is there any actual speed difference? 
My point being, if someone could handle the fully battoned sail with ease in all conditions, with a new modded boat would they still be competative, or will others of the same standard beat them because of the new sail??