I just sold my Boyer Mk 4 and I am considering a new Blade. Do you guys that have recently purchased new VWM Blades have anything to say about the options listed on the VWM web site:
1. Carbon foils and stocks
2. Kevlar Hull construction
3. Pentax fabric sails
Also, are you aware of any configurable items worth mentioning that are not listed above?
Geoff
Get them...Also we suggest you double check and get the 12:1 downhaul and 8:1 main sheet block. We LOVE ours and would it would be fun to have another one in the area.
Carbon foils = lighter.
Kevlar hulls = stiffer.
Pentax sails = ligher.
Get them if you can afford it. Where in Atlanta are you located (north side, Lake Lanier area, or some other location?)
I live in Atlanta proper, but the boat lives in mast-up storage at Lake Lanier. It takes too long to drive anywhere good. I've had an I-17R and a Boyer Mk 4 up there. The Blade looks like an interesting boat.
The Blade is indeed an interesting boat, you will not get board with it, with the wing mast and spinnaker there are lots of strings to play with! Very light and quick steering too, probably half way between your 17 and the A cat. You can always sail it with just the mainsail like the A cat, but having the spinnaker available for the downwind run is well worth the extra set up time. I sail mine solo with jib if it's less than 10 knots, without jib if it's more than that, plenty of power without it in all but the light stuff. AND, if you do want to bring someone with you, you have twin traps available. You can race it either way, which is nice.
Are there many cats up on Lanier? I know there is a Snipe fleet up there.
Were you at the Reggae this year on the A? We sail both Sink-oh-de-Mayo and The Reggae out of Lake Lanier Sailing Club. They are both a good time-so you may what the look into them if you want to race. B'ham and Columia are not far from you either.
I have been tempted to do that but I always end up thinking that if/when I race then I need to be good with the uni rig in light winds.
That is a good idea, but I like to go fast all the time, so when the wind is lighter, I put the jib on. I am so new to the boat that I want to see what the jib is doing for me too, incase I do race with my daughter some day. But if time is a factor, I don't use the jib.
I have been playing around with my mast rake to get the helm ballanced upwind and down, seems with the spinnaker up I get a lot of lee helm so I'm raking it back untill I can't stand it going upwind. Of course that raises halyard issues on the spin, and trim issues for the jib... <img src=
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