I cant find any information on the Bimare AJ, it was built a few years ago as a GRP budget a-class.
Anyone know how much it weights and how competitive it is compared to a more high-end a-cat?
Thx.
The AJ is the fiberglass version of the well known BIMARE XJ.
Actually it shares all the parts of its twin (same mast, beams, rudders and boards) but has the hulls made in glass instead of carbon. It was advertised at 79 Kg.
In the right hands it can win any race at least at local and regional level.
After the AJ BIMARE produced a similar fiberglass version of its V1 named V1-H and now is introdducing the V1RH
When it comes to racing A's I admit to being a bit of a novice, but I have had the pleasure of entering National Championships both on an Aus Flyer in 08 and Bim AJ in 2010. The Flyer platform is stiffer than the Bim's but whilst racing to me it's not noticeable. The major difference was the sails. The Goodalls main wasn't as fast as the Bim's to my mind. So I would suggest that a well looked after Bim AJ is a great way to enjoy A Class racing at a fraction of the cost of the more modern Nikita, DNA. The Bim V1 seems to be faster downwind than the Flyers, Tools and A's of that design era. I've also heard a rumor that the ASG isn't quite as fast as people were expecting.