I didn't respond back then but I do think the points raised in the initial post were boogus. Afterall the little block HADN'T failed yet as was later admitted by the owner, the spi pole broke in a perfectly predictable manner which isn't much related at all to the rivets and saddle setup. And the issues with the sails are issues that are to be blamed on the sailmaker; a party that is outside of the direct control of the Blade builder and designers. And such sailmaker issues can be found in history of all F16 boats of this time, that includes the Stealths and Taipans. So that is hardly a Blade problem.
I personally do feel that the initial post has plenty of potential to spook new sailors and no other F16 design had be subjected to that kind of treatment in the past. As such it was uncalled for and unwise. Moreso because the raised points were largely misunderstandings and exegerrations. None of them were/are structural or recurring even though such a thing may well have been implied originally.
Otherwise it seems like a cover up and then people don't want to buy. Like myself I'm waiting for a look at the new Capricorn as the Blade is pretty much a Taipan knockoff with new hull design anyway.
Well, then you are not in for a big surprise as the Cap F16 is exactly the same as well. The whole rig is a Taipan 4.9 rig with modifications that were tried and proven earlier on the Blade and my personal Taipan F16. Pretty much the platform and daggerboards are new as they will be a downsized Cap F18 but the remainder will mostly be Taipan 4.9. And rightly so in my opinion as the rig is pretty good (when the sailmaker delivers them on specs) and so too are the appendences like the rudders and blocks.
So indeed as Mary suggested already; there is crosspolunation among F16's and they are become more and more like hybrids between concepts tried on different makes.
Wouter
