The argument is raging again about building to minimum weight. I am finding out that what you get is like the engine in a dragster. Built for one fast run.

My 2006 Blade is on its third set of rudders. The heads keep splitting. The first time I ever went on a screaming two up jib reach a dagger broke (we weren't even trapping).

Now, I have a deck flexing so bad it has completely let go at the dagger board trunk. This is a boat that has been sailed predominately single handed on a lake by a 180 pounder. Both hulls have 4 foot long cracks between the trunk and the rear beam approximately 4 inches down the sides . Cracked outside, cracked inside, I am sure the foam is cracked too.

I removed the deck and found that the only thing supporting it's span was the trunk. There was a 1 inch gap between the foam laminated into the deck and the hull sides. This left a couple thin layers of glass to deal with the transition from thick to thin. There were no bulkheads in this area of the hull. Only a couple of loose fitting foam blocks between the hull and trunk. Removing the tramp track showed where the glue securing it had failed as there were many screw holes that had seriously elongated

So, an 180 person is able to break down the boat sailing it on a lake from June to September in only 5 years. I am seriously dissapointed in these major mechanical failures. This boat has never been in a collision and has never run aground.

I don't have the heart to try to sell this to someone. I sailed a 1977 Nacra for many years and a club member is still sailing it. I cannot imagine what a Blade will look like in 34 years.

So build to minimum weight. Enjoy your one fast run. Then sell it. Quick.

Sorry to hear about your problems! Really!

Now I would believe there is more to the story? Like you got a boat from the first batch of boats built, or there have been some severe drama? Plenty of evidence of other boats built to min weight holding up.

No problems so far with my '06. I did have a rudder head open but I just drilled a few holes, squirted in some epoxy and it's still good.

I'm 230.

If by drama you mean trauma, I was wanting to lay it out that there has been no extra ordinary stress on the boat. It has never been double trapezed. In fact, it is probably the opposite. I probably spend more time sitting on the boat than trapezing. The jib has been put on the boat about 5 times now.
This boat has never cartwheeled. I have never needed assistance righting. It has been trailered once (by the beams).

This has never been a dry boat. Since day one it has taken water into both hulls while sailing.

When you sail a potato chip I guess you gotta expect a few cracks.

I had de-lamination issues with the original rudders (they were part carbon part fiber/gelcoat) ... they looked really cool ... Matt replaced both under warranty -- to fiber/gelcoat boards. I haven't had a problem with any of the newer foils. I haven't experienced any of the other problems mentioned.

There are 3 - 2007 Blades that get sailed hard April - October every year. Also a 2006 that joined this year. All are still going strong. Also an earlier Taipan from the first batch that came over as F16s that is sailed just as much and is prestine. My 2009 boat is at 112kgs and is built like a rock.

Sounds like you have an outlyer to me.

I sail my 2007 blade pretty hard (or maybe into hard things). I hit a rock on a fast reach that tore open the port daggerboard trunk. On another occasion I hit a sandbar double trapped in 18knots a few seconds after I said "Ready About". The dammage was all my fault and Matt was there for me to send me the parts I needed and to advise on the correct repairs. My Blade had been a solid boat so far.I'm sorry you've had a bad experience with your boat.

I have not had any problems with my boat 2007/2008 Hulls (after one issue which was dealt with under warranty with no problems). I would like to say I sail the boat a lot, but unfortunately I don't.
I am not sure the boat will be around in 34 years either, but I think it is worth it.

I would recommend to contact the builder.
On my boat (2004) cleats and blocks of a well known company start to fail, because we sail hard, but not the boat.

Yeah, I kinda hoping to let the manufacturer know about the lifetime expectations of his product. Attached pic shows the crack running just below the anti-skid. I have one just like this on the other hull too.
Built on a Monday?