2018-19 PNs

(the Blaze) .... but it was not a quick tacking boat so was hard to sail to potential on a shifty gravel pit. · Originally posted by Cirrus

Originally posted by Cirrus

(the Blaze) ....  but it was not a quick tacking boat so was
hard to sail to potential on a shifty gravel pit.

I can't really agree....The boat really is
easy enough to sail, surprisingly so for many newbies.  However you cannot
simply use the same sailing style as works in say a Laser and expect to win
much, if anything, within the class or on handicap.  The class has few similar classes to
be compared with ....  The critical last
1-2% of performance comes with a lot of practice and adaption of basic
techniques, particularly the basic transitions of tacking and gybing.  If
you try and bully it around a tight course such as modest small gravel pit
ones, a la Laser,  it will very soon find you out !  Always always
always look very carefully at what the faster helms are doing, where they sit
and so on and if you can attend class training events.   No
substitute exists to attending the training events and class opens imo if you are 'new'. 
Subtle changes in approach can and do make massive differences.... particularly so with the Blaze. 

and there are many other classes where exactly the same approach applies. 
Instant success rarely comes with a switch of class ...  

You came to Hunts remember, I know the conditions were hardly ideal but competing against Solos, Lasers and Ents that tack on a dime was hardly an easy task. Ignoring the shift unless it was huge was the best way until clear air was found. When it was windy it wasn't an issue as the boat speed took over.

I agree about the rewarding time in the boat though. I found it wasnt a boat I could be out of for a month and then jump back in, that extra edge just wasn't there.