Fireblade - revisiting the hybrid project

Respect for managing off boom. 

Well I managed to finish a 'windy' race on Thursday night, and nearly did myself a mischief getting out on the wire for a couple of beats, not to mention coming close to going down the mine on a couple of steep waves, but also managed not to stack it, so am a little bit pleased with my progress.

It's not easy wiring with off the boom sheeting and nothing to cleat off to, so I think maybe a turret is needed, it's also a total ballache trying to kick out without some sort of kick bar on the deck before getting your foot up onto the side leg bent almost double under then trying to kick up - nightmare.

But once up there it's a joy and the speed increase is noticeable if a little more free than I like and cause to totally relearn your tacking angles.

Got a picture as I left the beach, I did tune the rig a bit better than that before the actual race.

I was however totally knackered, there was talk of reaching for the defrib as I lay on the beach recovering once ashore.

Anyway progress is still being made.


Edited by iGRF - 10 Jul 21 at 11:07am

Originally posted by rich96 To beat 'Contenders, Lasers, Tasers, Blazes etc' on the water at your size you'd need to be sailing a moth, a 300 or maybe an Aero 9 when it was very light Its just basic physics and leverage

On inland water yes, but on the sea on water I've been racing on for most of my racing life, it's more often tactical than physical and usually lighter wind and tide or predictable shifts. I've done it in the Eps, even managed once in the Farr, but that was most unfortunate for them going absolutely the wrong way about a situation and lucky for me a little wind filled from a direction I actually wasn't fully expecting, could it have worked in a Europe?
Maybe, I couldn't see the Farr beating a Europe in a none trapeze situation it's all it can do to stay ahead of a Streaker in none trapping conditions.

Whatever, there's a lot of fun to be had finding out all this stuff and I love every minute of it, even the bad ones.

Edited by iGRF - 07 Jul 21 at 1:33pm

OK, I shall give one a go, think I might know someone that still has one about.

But... I race against Contenders, Lasers, Tasers and a young quite fit fellow in an Aero 7 plus the odd Blaze and just occasionally I like to win actually over the water, usually when they all go the wrong way or miss my dear old tidal lee bow opportunity which now and again presents itself when the planets align and I can't see a tactical opportunity that would afford that possibility at the speed of a Laser Radial it would get overhauled once they've clocked whats going on which they tend to once it's been demonstrated.

Maybe down the lake as an alternative to the Solution which I've currently got working quite well and is on the market (just because I fancy a change).

This current boat (the Fireblade/Hybrid whatever) I have on occasion had a couple of over the water bullets at the hands of tidal intelligence advantage, I just can't make it happen yet from the wire mainly because I'm still pretty useless at getting in and out tacking, mainly down to me, but the boat could do with some kick blocks to assist.

Edited by iGRF - 07 Jul 21 at 10:55am

I've kinda kept quiet on this up till now as I've seen the number of classes that Grumph has trashed his way through over the years , but yes, I suspect the Europe would suit him pretty well perfectly (with some reservations that I'll come to).