Blaze vs Laser Comparison

Sorry to say Simon, but what a load of old cobblers. At the last nationals at Lyme only a few were in the bar, several went for a walk, and some went for lunch elsewhere. 

There are various reasons why "the majority" didn't sail, or gave up but one contributing factor is down to the ability of the sailors themselves. The Phantom is predominently sailed on flat stuff and also by a lot of people ranging from those who struggle sailing through to world champions. In the conditions that prevailed on the sat at the nats then it was the lower end of the fleet that didn't go out feeling that their ability didn't match the conditions. I would say that this is not an indicator of the boat but the helm. That will happen in any class, even the Blaze. I honestly can say that I don't think that the majority of the Blaze fleet would have been out there either. The top end of the fleet enjoyed damn good racing with a good blast as well thrown in. Having sailed in the first race I can also say that the boat does not submarine easily even though I hit the back of several waves that I shouldn't have. Also it did feel much more than 20 knots, but I didn't have an anemometer so I'll have to bow to your judgement there.

However it should be said that the Blaze will stuff the Phantom, and I guess Laser too when there is a good stretch of water with a good wind, otherwise the others will beat it.

Mike L - I reckon you could still give Andy Couch a run for his money, honest guv.

In our water, off wind the Blaze in a breeze is a white knuckle get right back on the label ride and still it'll plough in, sure it's fast, but it also slows down quite dramatically ploughing into the back of the next wave so has to be sailed zig zag down waves.

They are an evenly matched pair of boats, with the Blaze favouring my weight (the guy I sold it to is heavy and has the racks set on their inboard setting whereas I'm fully out to the max and still can't quite cope when it's breezy and the Phantom suits Barrys weight (he's North of 90 kgs), but off wind us Blazers are battling to keep the nose up and he's just sat there creaming along.

Now I'm sure it's a different tale on estuary or inland big res water where the Blaze will quite probably notch up another gear as apparent wind builds and the Phantoms rocker that serves it well in the light wind provides dubious water release and tail squat when the winds right up, but you can't have everything, well not until you try the perfect boat, but it aint quite finished yet, when it is neither the Blaze or the Phantom will get a look in, nor will many other single hand sit downs for that matter.

But if there were a prize at our club for the two most improved sailors since their fresh boat acquisition it would be Barry & Pete the Phantom and Blaze sailors and their new found keenness to race is quite refreshing, so to my mind both boats get a thumbs up, in fact all other single handers should be scrapped, well all except the one more I have in mind.