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Kev M
Far too distracted from work Joined: 05 Dec 11 Location: Landlocked Online Status: Offline Posts: 346 |
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Topic: Blaze Sails Posted: 25 Jan 12 at 4:56pm |
Can anyone tell me if there is any difference in the sail shape between the Sobstad and the North sail please? I've got a half battened later style Sobstad sail but all of the talk on the Blaze website with regards to upgrading the Mk1 is of the North sail.
In particular it mentions using a lower gooseneck which angles the boom upwards as it goes towards the transom. When I bought my Blaze it came with two gooseneck mounts and I was told to use the upper one with the new sail so now I'm confused. I'm pretty sure if I moved the boom down I wouldn't be able to attach the sail to it at the front. After doing some more reading this afternoon I'm no clearer on the matter and now I'm wondering if what I think is a lower gooseneck mount is what was the mount for the kicker strut.
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Successfully confusing ambition with ability since 1980.
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Jon711
Far too distracted from work Joined: 04 May 07 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 465 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 25 Jan 12 at 5:29pm |
The lower gooseneck, was originally intended for a kicker strut, and mine had one, until I replaced it with a cascade. I have tried setting the boom on the lower gooseneck, with both my Sobstad and the North, but, was unhappy with the sail shape, so have stuck with the upper gooseneck.
As for the difference, between the Sobstad and the North, found very little difference, except, for the North being see through, is a lot harder to read in light stuff, than the Sobstad, but with practice, it becomes possible. In some real drifters, have even gone back to the Sobstad, and performed better than I would expect. I would hasten to add this is only my personal experience, and no guarantee that it is the right way to go.. Mike L, would give you a better, informed, front of the fleet opinion, than my middle of the fleet opinion!! Jon |
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Blaze 711
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blaze720
Really should get out more Joined: 28 Sep 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 1635 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 25 Jan 12 at 5:37pm |
Hi Kev
All boats sold since 2000/2001 have sails of the so called 'modern' shape and are/were near identical (crazy to still call them 'modern' as the old sail was only used for a few short seasons in the late 90's). They replaced the significantly larger but totally 'orrible fully battened original sail that nearly 'did' for the class. Virtually all earlier boats were converted to take this sail years ago (suppler switch was made from Sobstad to North in 2005ish) in 20 minutes of DIY time. The sails were identical in shape but if you still have a Sobstad it will be pretty old by now ... and probabaly have shrunk ! (Yes they do ...). Keep it for blasting and survival conditions racing and save any better sail for racing in regular conditions. If you have not got a more recent North it will be worth trying one to see what you think - they are very good and a new one will be at least 6 years younger that any Sobstad by now. The lower gooseneck you mention is NOT for the boom. It provided a pivot for a 'strut' kicker - now not used and out of favour in the class although still permitted. I'd advise you to simply remove it and fill in the holes with rivets if you have what sounds like an original mast. Welcome to the class ...... ;-) Mike L. (Cirrus) |
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popeye_ali
Groupie Joined: 06 Apr 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 96 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 25 Jan 12 at 6:12pm |
Sobstad is that sailmaker still in existance!? Had to be the worst made sails I have ever seen in my life! sails de-laminating new straight out the bag.
Sorry not trying to change subject, just not heard there name in a while!
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RS400, RS600, RS700, RS800, Int Moth, Laser. Musto Skiff (current)
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Kev M
Far too distracted from work Joined: 05 Dec 11 Location: Landlocked Online Status: Offline Posts: 346 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 25 Jan 12 at 7:10pm |
Thanks Jon and Mike for the answers. Although I'm sure the Sobtad I've been using is no spring chicken it seems in reasonable good condition given it's age. Like the boat, it hadn't been used in the last 4-5 years.
It's probably a good idea for me to take some pictures to upload this weekend, that way you can be sure of what I'm describing and I can be sure I'm understanding whatyou're telling me. It would be nice to know exactly what upgrades have been made and what haven't. Another thing, after a disasterous first race the other weekend I was offered a lot of helpful advice from experienced sailors about setting my sail up, none of them Blaze sailors though. The first thing they told me to do was pull the outhaul on harder, going against what I'd read and what I felt. Whenevr I lossened the outhaul off I'm sure I could feel the boat speed up, perhaps I was feeling something else and they were right. The other thing was the clew strap. I assume they're all the same on the Blaze (probably incorrectly) but they said it was too loose so tied a knot in it to pull the clew of the sail tighter to the boom, is this right or is it best left as it was? Thanks again. |
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Successfully confusing ambition with ability since 1980.
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Jon711
Far too distracted from work Joined: 04 May 07 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 465 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 25 Jan 12 at 8:13pm |
Kevin, normal winds, I set the out haul so there is a hands breadth (little finger to to thumb outstrecthed) between boom and foot at max draught, clew down haul as tight as possible. I've never seemed to find the vang do much except downwind in a blow, to stop the dreaded roll, prefer to use Cunningham instead. But I am not the fastest sailor, so no guarantee that is the best setup, just seems to work for me!
Jon |
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Blaze 711
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blaze720
Really should get out more Joined: 28 Sep 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 1635 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 25 Jan 12 at 8:31pm |
Hi Kev
The outhaul must not be tightened too much !! Can't stress this too much. If you do the boat will not go - simple as that. (it is NOT a laser). Most of us use a length of 4mm line double looped around the bom tube and made off with a reef knot. It works, it is simple and I've never found better. The Blaze is an easy boat in every handling respect - but if you want race it to handicap you really will need time in the boat. It will point amazingly high but it will not help you approach handicap if used to the exclusion of other approaches and this ability should only be used tactically when needed to squeeze your nose round other boat at say the start - let the boat 'flow' and you will find it will do well. Offwind is another whole ball game but laser style sailing by the lee works - but because we have spreaders you need to let the kicker off a good amount - the roach does it for you then. There is a lot of stuff to learn so do come along to one of the events or training sessions and talk to other Blaze owners. You will soon find out what works. It is a deceptive boat, when you get it right very little compares to a Blaze, but it needs time ... just like every other boat out there. The 'extra' gear is definately there but you have to find it. Do not make the mistake of putting pressure on yourself to get 'instant' results either - see it as a campaign and take your time to try different things out. Some will be slower for sure but only by trying a lot of things will you find out what works for you I still think the Sobstad will be an issue - they shrink rather than go baggy. What looks OK because they still seem to have have a nice profile can be rather slow. In short they can become 'gutless' and underpowered despite not looking too bad. Get out there - and maybe even come to the Draycote Dash in February - the Blazes should be there so contact the CA to hook up with somebody who can help. Cheers- Mike L. |
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Kev M
Far too distracted from work Joined: 05 Dec 11 Location: Landlocked Online Status: Offline Posts: 346 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 25 Jan 12 at 9:48pm |
Patience you say? Oh dear!
Thanks for the advice Mike. Shrinkage might explain a few things. I'd like to get down to the dash as it's only an hour away. If I've got a car with a towbar by then I might enter, if not I'll probably just come down to have a look around the Blazes and see how it should be done. |
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Successfully confusing ambition with ability since 1980.
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blaze720
Really should get out more Joined: 28 Sep 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 1635 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 25 Jan 12 at 10:20pm |
Kev
We look forward to seeing you there - with or without the new aquisition ! Mike L. |
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Kev M
Far too distracted from work Joined: 05 Dec 11 Location: Landlocked Online Status: Offline Posts: 346 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 26 Jan 12 at 4:15pm |
While we're at it Mike, a new day, a new dumb question.
What exactly does the horse do on a centre sheeted Blaze and why is it's setup so critical? As far as I'd have thought that the main pulley dictates where the boom is going to go, no the pulley on the horse. Regards, Kev
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Successfully confusing ambition with ability since 1980.
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