The Blaze owners Thread

So how much lighter than 50kg for hull weight should we go ?   I think someone must have seen you coming when you bought your one - clunker or what ! ? 

If you don't like the tramps design do something different - it is not a controlled part of the rules - everything from 'nothing' - yes t- here are some who do this to 'granny's security blanket'  that fills in everything - your choice.

Nosey attitude in waves ? -  you need to 'sit at the back' and stop dumping the main when you bottle it !  Seriously it is a very good sea boat, I'm not going to name any other hiking singlehander ... but do try a few more !!   Good Technique helps but it is very forgiving already compared to a very great many.   

Off the boom sheeting - I'm a recent convert myself and I'm impressed enough to wish I'd converted earlier and built up more familiarity before last weekend.   Faster tacks, totally open cockpit and sheet loads down by at least 50%... it just looks right as well.

The spinnaker argument has been done to death - No I'm not against spinnakers, but not like chips 'with everything'.  There will be days as you suggest when you simply don't get to go out when the Blazes are having a ball..... thats a bit like saying you only like nursery ski slopes rather than being able to cope with the odd 'black run' day as well.

Lastly - no it is not a boat exclusively for heavyweights .... but it can be set up to suit a wide range of helm weight.

Carbon masts DO help ... and the CA reviews the situation every three years.  But the gains are not massive relative to cost and almost irrelavent to good one-design racing in a boat as wide as the Blaze.  I have run several and have another here now, exactly Blaze sized - lovely 50mm tapered stick that you can step with one hand - but that is only a bit of fun and is in fact in assessment on Icon ... when we are finished you could alway scome along any try it on a minimum weight Blaze .....  go on your're temped already ...  

Mike L.

GRF ...

We'll be thinking of you every time it get over 15kn .... or is that 10kn on any buoy governed reaching course.    .... you will be missing all the best bits - or getting the board out again before too long.

Always time to repent !

Mike L.

Hi guys/ girls

As a recent Blaze convert I need a bit of advice.  I have 2 sails and booms - both Sobstad and fully battend but of varying sizes (about 6 inches wider at the foot and nearly 1 foot wider at points along the luff).  I know about the Mk 1 vs Xrig but am confused about my sails. 

Secondly, one of my booms has snapped and been repaired - I'd happily swap the fittings to a new piece of alloy tube - any ideas of the spec and where I could get a piece?

Thanks for any help.

Mario, Leuchars, Fife

 

 

 

Thanks Mike -  Hull and sail Number is 541 from memory the spare sail was from mid 600's boat. 

I'll have to wait a while before changing the sail/ boom as I recall I'd be looking at about £700 each.  Having ventured out in a moderate breeze the old sail does have, erm - handling characteristics!  At first I thought it was just me... Hopefully I'll be able to upgrade the sail 1st (2nd hand I suspect) then add the carbon boom later.

Mario 

Mario

If the wings are not damaged they will be fine - if less than 100% there are many fixes short of a total upgrade.  2nd Hand (standard) sails are few and far between so maybe a 'wanted' ad on CA website will help.  I think you will stuggle to find an available carbon boom tube but may find an alloy one from someone who upgraded years ago.  If you have a real problem drop me a direct email.

Mike L. (aka Cirrus Raceboats)