Blaze class set for the RYA Dinghy and Watersports Show
by Ben Harden 24 Feb 2022 09:42 GMT
26-27 February 2022
2019 Blaze Inlands at Chase © Peter Mackin /
www.pdmphoto.co.uk
Come along to the RYA Dinghy and Watersports Show this weekend to see possibly the best boat on display... Well, that's the opinion of the Blaze Class Association anyway!
It may have been a rough couple of years around the World since the last RYA Dinghy and Watersports Show, but it's been smooth sailing for the Blaze class. The class attracted the largest entry on record to the class National Championships in 2021, with an amazing 70 boats making the final score card.
The newest Blaze in the fleet, number 862, will be on display at the Hartley Boats stand. And hoisted up its carbon mast will be the new sail design, designed by Stephen Graham of Hartley Boats in 2021. The boat will also feature its usual high-performance hardware and rope fit-out from manufacturing companies, Allen and Robline. At the display boat you can also pick up a free Blaze 2022 events poster, to hang pride of place in your office or bedroom!
On call to answer any of your Blaze related questions will be several Blaze enthusiasts, as well as Eden Hyland of Hartley Boats. Who also happens to be an ex Blaze National Champion.
But, for those of you that can't wait to find out more info about this amazing single hander, read on.
The Blaze offers significantly high performance while at the same time remaining simple to sail. The boat brings together high speed and crisp handling in a powerful, easily driven hull; a fine entry flares into wide planing sections aft for maximum stability and blistering off-wind performance. And all from the security of a really comfortable cockpit.
All key control systems for the rig and the centreboard have been led out to the racks so you can carry on with fingertip adjustment even when you're screaming down a reach or rounding the windward mark. Conscious that a self-draining cockpit often means a shallow cockpit, suitable only for the very agile, designer lan Howlett achieved a comfortably deep area within the Blaze while retaining instant self-draining capability. With its sheeting arrangements and open transom, the Blaze has a huge area available for racing comfort. Both foils are lifting for stress-free sailing in shallow water as well as during launching and recovery.
2022 Event Dates:
- Southern Champs - 21st - 22nd May - Warsash SC
- National Champs - 10th - 12th Jun - Stone SC
- Eastern Champs- 20th - 21st Aug - Royal Corinthian YC
- Northern Champs - 10th - 11th Sep - Yorkshire Dales SC
- Inland Champs - 1st - 2nd Oct - Draycote Water SC