Plastic Fantastics

Originally posted by blaze720 Sumo said ....."just to pour more fuel to the fire, in the latest copy of Y&Y they reported that Topper was to stop making GRP boats to concentrate on the plastic ones. That means an end to the Byte and Blaze unless some one else picks up the design, which is something worth posting about!" The 'press' could have checked things out a bit better - possibly by asking Topper, the 'design rights' owners (who are quite independent) or even the Blaze class association .....  (I thougth that's what journalism was about ..checking the facts etc etc). With regard to the Blaze at least some 'reports of its demise' have been greatly overdone etc even if by omission !  There are at least THREE different groups who want to build the boat, having formally registered interest and the class has a very rosy future in store with whichever one get it.  This rather confirms the obvious fact that the class is growing rapidly and just beginning to realise its full potential. Topper have also made it clear that production has NOT stopped in any case and they will continue to build to order until the new builder takes over in the next couple of months.  Their policy change was simply recognition that their future is in committing themselves to their rapidly expanding plastic range.  The only difficulty for them was that the Blaze, amongst their GRP range, was still selling very well.  However they decided that they would find it increasingly difficult to ride two very different types of horses well.   Focus is the name of the game in the emerging dinghy market and it will be interesting to see how others fare with this issue in the future.   For the Blaze at least it will be a new and very exciting beginning with a new (GRP only!) builder however the boat itself will be unchanged.   Blaze Class Association

Quite.  The Byte now finds itself in a similar boat (get it?), only it is still produced in large numbers in the States in europe and the far east.  The fact is having someone whose focus will be on the boat and will actually market it in this country may be the best thing that ever happens to the boat.  We too have a number of interested parties and await with with baited breath the outcome of their negotiations with Ian Bruce

I agree a friendly bit of banter is always good about boats (hey I sail bed remember).

But on here it seems to degenrate into a much more personal attck more frequently than not.

We are all enjoying the same sport aren't we so lets just chill.....and go sailing (hows that for an idea).

Paul

Originally posted by yellowhammer  ... will any owner ever step up to the CA mark ... is it a racing or fun class?

Only time will tell if the Vago survives as anything more than a sailing school training boat or as a family fun cruising boat that people occasionally race.

As for the class association that is down to the owners to set up. There was a post a while back wioth someone bemoaning the inaction of Performance Sailcraft (aka Laser in the UK) to set up the CA. It is not down to the manufacturer to set this up, they sell the boats.Undoubtedly an active CA will help sell new boats but this has to be driven by the owners, help from the manufacturer is nice but should not be expected.

Please gentlemen can we not turn this thread in to a 'my boat is better than your boat' free for all or a trilam bashing section. There are those of us for and those of us against.

Paul

Originally posted by Matt Jackson This Topper thing isn't so bad. Let's face it, if a boat isn't good enough to survive without being underwritten by a large marketing company and there isn't enough people dedicated to it to start an independant class assoc shouldn't we just let it slope off quietly?

This is exactly what Blaze720 is saying. Some of the affected classes built by Topper/White Formula have very active class associations. 2nd hand Blazes (especially the X models) don't hang around for long. While the boat does have a few shortcomings (in terms of build, show me a boat that doesn't) it is a very popular boat and has been transformed by the CA and once the transition period is done from Topper/White Formula to the new builder I think the boat has a very rosy future.

From what I understand there is quite a waiting list for new Blaze's and Topper/White Formula are fulfilling these (and new) orders until the transition is complete.

IMO Topper are handling this quite well but they should release a joint statement with each affected CA.

Paul

Blaze 655

Topper don't even own the design, Isotek (John Caig) does.

I'm not knocking the big manufacturer/maketing companies as I think on the whole they do a good job but in this case the class will be just fine and may even do better without Topper. They appear to have a choice of builders who are interested.

This Topper thing isn't so bad. Let's face it, if a boat isn't good enough to survive without being underwritten by a large marketing company and there isn't enough people dedicated to it to start an independant class assoc shouldn't we just let it slope off quietly?