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So, just how important is a Boats PY yardstick?
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Rupert View Drop Down
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Posts: 8956 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Rupert Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: So, just how important is a Boats PY yardstick?
    Posted: 27 Nov 19 at 8:20pm
Which answers to he question. It matters when people are relying on handicap racing. If cruising or class racing, or even sailing abroad, then it isn't even on the radar.
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iGRF View Drop Down
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Posts: 6499 		Post Options Post Options   Quote iGRF Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 Nov 19 at 7:49pm
Well it is encouraging that a boat like the OK is gaining momentum even though it's handicap isn't it's key USP.

So there is hope for us after all.
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Posts: 3400 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Sam.Spoons Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14 Nov 19 at 9:54am
Yes I have managed to work it out but it is, inevitable, a compromise. It is the front fixings that are crucial for us short ar5es, and they are fixed about 12" inboard of the side deck.

Like I said I love the Blaze and won't be changing class in the foreseeable future but in the case of toe straps, it is a bit of a 'Laser' way of doing things  LOL
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Cirrus View Drop Down
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Posts: 590 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Cirrus Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Nov 19 at 11:56pm
But the fixings are proscribed, i.e. you can't move them ...

At the back they are attached to the rear fixed tubes .... and thus anywhere along them.  Plus there are many easy ways to 'adjust' the front end effective positoning that do not involve making additonal holes into the hull.  Just need to see them I guess ....  And that is before we even get into the effect of lengthing /shortening the webbing ties and elastics.  Just experiment if viewing how other folks do it is problematic or ask via various CA forums.
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Posts: 3400 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Sam.Spoons Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Nov 19 at 3:32pm
Originally posted by Cirrus

There is total freedom over toestraps,

But the fixings are proscribed, i.e. you can't move them, and they are positioned better for long legs than short.

Other than that (the fact that you can't move fittings as you are not allowed to make extra holes in the hull to fix them in a new position) there is little I would change and I love my mk2 Blaze.
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Sam.Spoons View Drop Down
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Posts: 3400 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Sam.Spoons Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Nov 19 at 3:26pm
There is only on model of Blaze, like many classes the manufacturer has changed a couple of times and 'improvements' have been made to deck layout and other none speed enhancing bits but the only really major changes has been from polyester to epoxy circa #800 and the carbon mast which can be retrofitted to any boat.

Old boats are like old boats from any class, they are unlikely to be as fast as a new boat but a good old-un is better than a rough newer boat. And at club/regional level the driver makes much more difference.

I has a Supernova for a short while and didn't get on with it but they are popular enough to suggest that there ain't much wrong with them.

Blaze in the light? Well swings and roundabouts, it's fairly slow to tack and sticky off wind but in those conditions finding what little wind there is counts for more, when it gets to marginal planing the Blaze planes early and fast so a little puff will see you leaving the Solos in your wake. 

TBH I'm happy to keep up with the Lasers and Solos but they are all much better sailors then I am these days (25+ years racing Raceboards is not the best training for dinghy racing). OTOH our ex Supernova, Blaze convert has won a couple of series in the two years he's had the Blaze so it's definitely doable.


Edited by Sam.Spoons - 13 Nov 19 at 3:27pm
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Cirrus View Drop Down
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Posts: 590 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Cirrus Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Nov 19 at 3:20pm
I think the Blaze looks great, I am just totally confused by the number of models ...

Visit the CA website or better still drop in to an Open and simply talk with owners.  There are three sail sizes 8.8 / 10.4 / 11.5  ... all of which can sit on the standard regular spars.  They have the Fire / Blaze / Halo names that distinguish them rather than something like Blaze 8.8 / Blaze 10.4 / Blaze 11.5 as say the Aero and similar do.   The vast majority do use the main 10.4 'Blaze' sail for 95% of the time.    This allows lightweights and othrs to still get a good fast and controlled sail in real breeze and for heavy weights to enjoy the lighter stuff rather that sulk on the shore !   There is total freedom over toestraps, wing trampolines and sheeting system but just about everything else is fairly tightly controlled.

Despite the numbers recession generally in dinghy sailing the Blaze (family) is still steadily growing with around 50+ at each Nationals  and 35+ at Inland championships althouth this year that too exceeded 50 entries.  

It revels in medium / high winds but with good technique (and this can take a bit of time for many new to the class) it is also no slouch in the lighter stuff and on more restricted waters either. A bit of a cult following and the people who sail them is what has made the class popular and one that continues to attract newbies each season.... just like all the other great classes .... of course  ! Wink


Edited by Cirrus - 13 Nov 19 at 3:21pm
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ian.r.mcdonald View Drop Down
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Posts: 440 		Post Options Post Options   Quote ian.r.mcdonald Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Nov 19 at 1:52pm
There is a significant difference at my club level between old and new design Supernova, to the extent that a PY difference is applied. But as ever, generally the fastest sailors buy the new boats so the difference may be less than expected. I think the Blaze looks great, I am just totally confused by the number of models ( am I right?)

Edited by ian.r.mcdonald - 13 Nov 19 at 1:54pm
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Posts: 382 		Post Options Post Options   Quote eric_c Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Nov 19 at 1:18pm
How do the Blaze and Supernova compare in lighter weather?
Is it likely to perform to its number i sub-planing conditions?
How does it go against two handers in the same PY ballpark?
Generally reasonable size estuary courses, so relatively flat water and not a short tacking river scenario or umpteen laps of a fishpond.

And are the older cheap ones completely outclassed by the newer ones?
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Posts: 3048 		Post Options Post Options   Quote jeffers Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Nov 19 at 10:09am
Originally posted by Sam.Spoons

Racing a Blaze inland is much the same as those Streakers, the boat shines in a breeze, especially when it can stretch it's legs properly. Around the cans on a small lake is not it's natural habitat but it's a boat I hugely enjoy sailing, even in the light stuff, so I'll stick with it for now and put off joining our very strong Solo fleet for a while.

I found that too, it needed a bot of space to stretch its legs. Short tacking on a small shifty pond was challenging at best but a lot of fun at times.
Paul
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