Blade yard cover

Another

You have a sweet boat cover
A sweeter trailer
And even a sweeter MAST UP storage location!

I envy you!

Also, you blade can do levitation!!!! WAY COOL!!! <img src=

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Is that your road cover also, or is it just for storage?
You guys must have some serious UV levels!

Robi, mast-up storage is very common in Europe. I am continously amazed by how many boats are living on their trailers elsewhere. I dont think I would be sailing as much as I do if I had to rig the boat every time.

Only for storage in the boat yard, not for trailering on the roadways. UV is a problem, as is the sap/debris from the surrounding trees. More pics on the F16 website.

I just had the supports for the trailer made last week. It does look like the boat levitates. I haven't gotten everything sorted out yet, but working on it.

Front beam supports pictured, notice the two part fore mast stand. So I could keep the spi pole intact.

rear beam trailer supports

That is a no joke trailer. All it needs a nice sail box and you are set.

Tom-
It looks like it is not meant to go over the boom, my Taipan cover IS meant to go over the boom and it has triangular

flaps

extending down from front portion of the tramp cover part that velcro together to enclose the front of the cover- Otherwise the sun/crud can still get to the tramp- Not good! I'm sure if you measure how high your boom attaches above the front beam Phil (I presume it's a Kinder cover- looks very familiar!) can insert a dart piece in the middle of the tramp portion and add the little front flaps like I have. I am out of town right now and don't have a photo of mine to attach on the web <img src=

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Regards!
Kirt

It is Kinder and a prototype. They want the feedback, so I'll give it all to them. My old N5.5 cover was as you described with the front flaps. Note how the bow covers do not slide over the front portion of the hulls, either - just top cover. Not sure I like that.

You can't really see it, but there are mesh squares over the rear part of the tramp cover that will allow for drainage - maybe that is why they did not plan for the

over the boom setup

. It is great fabric - the Top Gun material.

Mine has the rear mesh as well- I was thinking it would be nice to have the mesh but have a

flap

of the solid material beneath (or even a

tube

running to the edge of the cover so the dirt, that gets through the mesh, doesn't end up pooled under the mesh?). They hold up well too- mine is ~6 years old and holding up well-

Kirt

I have my missus working on a cover right now. Got a good deal on Sunbrella Marine on EBAY. I was hoping she will be able to figure out how to cover the spin bag too. Mine is a black material. With a cover over the mouth to keep the popcans out.

heres a picture of my chute cover
its made with 2 chunky zips to go either side of the bridle bit
gary

One piece chute cover with slit for compression strut attachment. You must remove tension before bagging.

Tom your boat only has ONE set of trap wires?

I am now having boat cover envy! <img src=

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Currently the boat is rigged for 1-up sailing, so I took the second set of trap wires off. I also added a forestay without the jib halyard block at the top.

Probably does not lessen the windage much, but it makes me feel better. <img src=

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I assumed the Cover from Kinder would be blue, so I made the spi pole cover to match - WRONG.

Mine too...why have another pair dangling when you sail 1-up.

Tom, who's alum trailer box in the background? Can I buy it?

Me too! One butt, one bucket! <img src=

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Good idea guys. I usually sail Uni with both wires. BLEH!

Following on TikiPete's thread ... big butt--two wires <img src=

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You can have it. Come pick it up. It is a fiberglass box that would be fine cleaned up. It has a door that swings down on one end and a top lid that is unhinged (used to be hinged, now have to pick it up and slide it over).

A good time to come would be Oct. 28th and 29th for our annual Halloween Cat Caper. Open multihull regatta, 36th year for the event. it has been everything from NACRA MidWinters, to NAMSA, to Performance Districts, etc. Usually good wind with no (or very little) wave action.

We will even give your boat a salt water rinse before you leave!!!!

Thanks.

Can you put a

TAKEN

sign on it and I'll make arrangements for the Halloween Regatta.

I'll get that fresh water bath at Lk Jackson earlier that month...can't get too many baths to cleanse the boat of the salt and sand grit <img src=

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There are actually two sailors considering new boat options. Both are

empty nesters

without crew and are looking for a versatile boat. Also a very good F17/18 square sailor to compete (and convert) with. A F16 showing would give a very good impression. I'll get out more info. Got to www.birminghamsailingclub.org for a tour. Great camping spots and ammenities.

I will point out that it is the weekend before the Alter Cup qulaifier in Gulfport, FL.

That is going to make participation problematic

Wouter

Yep. I am afraid it has pretty much wiped out the fleet from the South.

The bigger problem is that this is Hirams Haul weekend. What you really should see if you can pull off is get those guys to come down here for that. Part of the Harken series, but an easy distance race down the intracoastal ending at Capt Hirams beach bar. Great party place and a sail back with BBQ to close it out. No logistic issues involved, everyone is pretty much trapped there, and did I mention great party! It was my first race when I moved to FL and deffinitely one of my favorites. There should be at least a few Blades sailing in it.

Matt

Made the first long road trip with the new trailer this weekend. The boat seems to ride a lot smoother when supported by the beams. The hulls don't bounce around at all. I guess that is a good thing. Still want to put the double rollers back on the rear for loading and move the axle forward for better balance.

Oh, and i got my a$$ handed to me in Navarre Beach <img src=

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Results?

Never saw a complete results list, but am still looking. I asked to be put in the

big boy

fleet Friday night. The RC had me in the middle fleet with no other spin boats. They agreed as this was just a fun regatta. Our class was made up of 3 ARC 22s, 5 or 6 I20s, 2 F18HTs (Bim), 1 F18 (Nacra, not Infusion) and me.

Saturday was an approx 35 miles round trip distance race. First half dead downwind and second half straight back up. I was actually doing very well until we made the halfway point and turned to come back upwind. Not too far behind the ARC 22s and I20s (ahead of 1 I20) at the halfway point and ahead of both F18HTs and F18. Light conditions really favored the 1-up F16 under spin. Upwind the 18s quickly passed me as I was having to foot off 5 to 10 degrees to keep the boat powered up. Corrected out to 3rd in fleet, I think.

Sunday were windward-leewards with the same story. Struggled upwind and became overpowered downwind. Not confident enough to sail under spin from the wire. One ARC 22 and the F18 capsized in the first Sunday race.

I was kind of surprised I did not correct better Sunday, due to the capsizes.

Fleet was won by B Newkirk (I20), M Kelly (ARC 22) and K Newkirk (I20). All very good sailors, so I probably did not deserve any higher a finish (although both Newkirk's were behind me after Sat).

Upwind problems related to too much prebend in the mast. Could not get the luff of the sail to be efficient. Not as much effect on Sunday as I was depowering anyway. Obviously going to have to make some changes.

The F18HTs were absolutely flying in Sunday (Edderer and Murray). Those boats were scary fast in mid to heavy wind conditions (59.3 Portsmouth rating, ouch).

LOL! That ain't a a$$ whippin'. <img src=

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Felt like it as the two F18HTs and F18 passed me like I wasn't there.....It was a good group of sailors and a fun regatta. I'll get them next time. Arrrrgh.