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jeffers View Drop Down
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    Posted: 04 Nov 14 at 10:16am
Originally posted by Medway Maniac

Originally posted by jeffers

The Blaze is a different boat altogether. I found that if I did not sail it every week I definitely felt the rust more on my technique and felt I was losing out more by not being in it. That is why I went back to the Laser, I know I can jump in to it and push it even if I have missed a few weeks.
You sail on a smallish water, and I'm guessing probably had the full centre mainsheet.  Some Blaze guys and I were saying just yesterday how very much easier it is to tack now with the aft bridle and off-the-boom sheeting.  We guessed it was worth more than a boat-length per tack.

No doubt it does, I may get the chance to try the latest iteration next weekend so I shall see how different it is.
Paul
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Post Options Post Options   Quote Guests Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Nov 14 at 6:52pm
Extract from a review of the Blaze published today in our club newsletter:-

The current move in new classes towards lighter hulls will be matched in due course by the Blaze and three sail sizes are now available for different size helms. 

Anything you want to tell us Mike?
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blaze720 View Drop Down
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Posts: 1635 		Post Options Post Options   Quote blaze720 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Nov 14 at 10:25pm
Anything you want to tell us Mike?

Suppose I should know what's going on but then again we only build them - so cannot be held fully responsible for anyone elses review  or too much said elsewhere ! 

So to disappoint all who might like it to be otherwise ... The Blaze is totally unaltered, we build them the same way as we always have and see little reason to do much else.  The boat is fast, simple and easy to sail as well as durable but is still a challenge to the more experienced and great fun with decent sized fleets and championships.  We have had 2 sail sizes for a number of years now 1) Blaze has the regular unaltered 10.4m North sail and has had it for the best part of a decade now  2) Halo rig option for the larger helm - 11.5m for about 2-3 years now.

More recently we have added the smaller 8.8m 'Fire' sail as an option for young(er), old(er), light(er)  and female sailors who generally wanted something more suited particularly in higher wind conditons ... just launched in the last few months and selling well already.

Thats about it ...  But we did look at a minimalist and ultra-lightweight wing system for 'Fire' users briefly including water testing of same.  It was formally rejected recently and only regular hulls and wing systems are supplied by us or allowed for Fire racing by the CA ..... the target demographic were emphatic that they wanted to keep the regular (wider) wing system.  Make life rather easier for us as well and means anyone interested in the Fire can also start very cost-effectively with an pre-loved Blaze hull/rig to which they can simply add a Fire sail.

A partial case maybe of  "Never letting the facts get in the way of a good story" ?   Wink   Anyway enough of the Blaze for now surely ... on this thread.

Mike L.
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Medway Maniac View Drop Down
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Posts: 2788 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Medway Maniac Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Nov 14 at 11:51pm
I still don't understand why you don't make wide, one-piece wings now, Mike, esp. as everybody pulls the adjustables out to max. I gather the B14's saved a useful amount of weight with carbon wings; the less well-heeled made their own.
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getafix View Drop Down
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Posts: 2143 		Post Options Post Options   Quote getafix Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 Nov 14 at 7:12am
Originally posted by Medway Maniac

I still don't understand why you don't make wide, one-piece wings now, Mike, esp. as everybody pulls the adjustables out to max. I gather the B14's saved a useful amount of weight with carbon wings; the less well-heeled made their own.

Probably the next step, my guess is that it will come, but the class just bit off carbon masts, so I assume a few years would need to pass under that before appetite for further change (cost) was attractive again.  FWIW, it would be a good improvement to sailor comfort if "Aero" style wings appeared - accepting that hiking pads make the current set up fine
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Neptune View Drop Down
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Posts: 1314 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Neptune Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 Nov 14 at 8:51am
Originally posted by Medway Maniac

I still don't understand why you don't make wide, one-piece wings now, Mike, esp. as everybody pulls the adjustables out to max. I gather the B14's saved a useful amount of weight with carbon wings; the less well-heeled made their own.

Most Blazes i have seen under cover though pull the wings back in to make the dinghy park space requirements a little less, that's got to be easier than taking the things off everytime!
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jeffers View Drop Down
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Posts: 3048 		Post Options Post Options   Quote jeffers Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 Nov 14 at 9:00am
Originally posted by Neptune

Originally posted by Medway Maniac

I still don't understand why you don't make wide, one-piece wings now, Mike, esp. as everybody pulls the adjustables out to max. I gather the B14's saved a useful amount of weight with carbon wings; the less well-heeled made their own.

Most Blazes i have seen under cover though pull the wings back in to make the dinghy park space requirements a little less, that's got to be easier than taking the things off everytime!

Correct had I not been able to do that when i had mine it would have been unlikely to get a berth at my local club as space is limited.

Looking forward to the 16th Nov. Mike is bringing some boats to Hunts for a demo type day, if an opportunity presents itself I might have to give one a try. 
Paul
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winging it View Drop Down
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Posts: 3958 		Post Options Post Options   Quote winging it Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 Nov 14 at 9:01am
I'm hoping to try the Halo or the Blaze quite soon.  It will be interesting to see how it compares to the D one (taking away the kite issue) especially the hiking position.  The wings make the D one a really comfortable yet powerful boat, I'd be reluctant now to sail a hiking boat without them.
the same, but different...

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kneewrecker View Drop Down
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Posts: 1586 		Post Options Post Options   Quote kneewrecker Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 Nov 14 at 9:12am
I would also be interested to try a Halo rig on the lightened up 'fire' hull at some point- that sounds like a genuinely viable light wind alternative to windsurfing.  

The only Blazes I've ever sailed were older ones- at the time they seemed quite 'beasty' for a laser lad.
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jeffers View Drop Down
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Posts: 3048 		Post Options Post Options   Quote jeffers Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 Nov 14 at 9:54am
Originally posted by kneewrecker

I would also be interested to try a Halo rig on the lightened up 'fire' hull at some point- that sounds like a genuinely viable light wind alternative to windsurfing.  

The only Blazes I've ever sailed were older ones- at the time they seemed quite 'beasty' for a laser lad.

Was that with the fully battened sail?
Paul
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