Hi guys.

That Blade is actually at my club in Singapore (Changi Sailing Club) where we have a fleet of 20 Taipans and now hopefully a few Blades joining in too.

It has wood/epoxy hulls, Goodall wingmast rig. The main beams are carbon with kevlar inserts under the mast and no dolphin striker. The rear beam is 50/50 carbon/glass. The beams are carbon as these are cheaper than importing aluminium beams from AHPC for the Taipans.

The boat is being put together by Pro-sail Asia in Malaysia, the local Taipan agent as the costs of importing boats from Aus has gone through the roof due to a 30% change in the exchange rate!

I haven't seen the boat in action against the Taipans yet but it looks superb in the flesh.

Blobby wrote:

Quote:

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The beams are carbon as these are cheaper than importing aluminium beams from AHPC for the Taipans.

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I find that incredible! There is reputedly a world shortage of carbon cloth that is now pushing up the cost of carbon parts and yet it is cheaper than imported aluminium beams?

On grounds of cost, if that is the reason in this case, I can understand using these beams over ali. But are there any performance advantages? I can't see what they'd be. In addition, surely using a 'different' technology to the 'norm' must increase the complications? What about beam attachment points, mast support, track attachment, trampoline mounting, through-beam fittings, etc. ?

What at first appeared to be a particularly nice looking Blade turns out to be pretty radical and not a little complex

Phill,

Can you repost those other photos of Agent Orange please? Thanks

My post got lost :

"I have relatives sho live in HK and importing anything into SE asia is a nightmare and expensive; it way well be tthat local carbon is cheaper than import Alu;

My next boat is going to be 99% carbon and the price change I've been quoted so far is only +150GBP if the boat is built out of the next batch - boat build is dependant on sail of the Inter 17 !

and your next boat will be...??

John,
Would you like the same photos posted or different ones.

Regards,
Phill

John,
Here they are plus a couple of the others that I have.

No Dolphin Striker