Fireblade - revisiting the hybrid project

So, I've done a deal with Mike and now own what he called his hybrid, not a name that particularly inspires so I've decided to continue the development with the possible goal of lauching this into the market as a commercial proposition probably 2022 now when this covid nonesense is over.

The name is a combination of the Fire rig which I may end up with and the sharp nose which i think is more apt, my plan is for that trapeze single hander that also works in land as a hiker ( maybe the trap can be arranged more as a hiking aid, more about that later.)

I'll opt for a carbon rig eventually and go for on the fly raking adjustment with the dual option of raking a bit to trapeze and loosening the halyards for by the lee action down wind, rear footstraps and maybe a rear thwart/spoiler to help with the knees downwind, we'll see, got to sail it first and see how it feels. Mikes already done a good job amd I don't want to screw anything up just for the sake of it he has lots of other work that needs his attention, but if we go ahead and launch it I'll make certain he's in the loop and rewarded for his design input.

Can't say how excited I am to have something else to work on, maybe I'll really get the one boat does it all I've wanted at last and be able to offer it to others packaged in whatever spec they require. Small sail hiker, mid sail hiker/trap possibly even a big rig option but that's way down the path. Couple to price breaks, low cost alloy rig to high end carbon.

I'm considering making it a multi owner business with boat owners being issued shares in the production company and profit being divie'd up amongst them each year which would broaden the appeal to some enthusiasts to actually own part of the company as well as the 'class' which I'd soonerrefer to as Owner group since the word class carries such negative connotations in my view.

Anyway, watch this space it could all turn to nothing, but right now I've got some reason to be excited with yet another round of lockdown approaching and if you have any suggestions please fire away. Here's a pic off the hybrid thread again...



Edited by iGRF - 01 Nov 20 at 1:54pm

Honda sponsorship?

Looks like a fun project, as it was for Mike. Good luck!

Glad you’ve found something to keep you interested and positive in these difficult times. I look forward to your regular updates . 

Cracking looking boat, nice one. Interesting thought about the multi owner/owners cooperative sort of concept. No idea how that will work out but good luck with it. Nice to see something other than that horrible Laser/ILCA/TLC thread, which like a car crash I can't stop looking at.

Well I often wondered why there couldn't be just a short harness kind of hiking aid where you sit out but are assisted like windsurfers are with their more chest/waist style harness. I sometimes tried the idea with my EPS but that was such a cack handed affair with the curved wide decks.

It shouldn't be too difficult setting up a multi shareholder private company that you get shares in if you buy a boat. Could be a nice little PONZI scheme ;-) only with a boat chucked in, in return for the investment.

In truth though, I have studiously avoided getting commercially involved in this ahem 'industry' and I use the term very loosely, I've had too many hobbys trashed by commerce, but if it's as nice as I think it's going to be, it would be a shame to deny others access to it.