Seth's decided he's not ready to part with his Taipan yet. So now I'm looking at Blades as well. Anyone got observations on this boat? I got pretty universal praise for the Taipan, are you all as happy with the Blade? These boats are built really light, aren't you seeing them break some? Thanks!

dave

Dave:
All boats have their good stuff and their bad stuff. I have had issues with my boat in the past. Nothing that quick fixes cannot address the problems. Most of the problems were user error.

I did change a good majority of blocks lines and some minor things to make the boat easier to race ONE UP.

What would I change on the blade? Well if I were the dealer I would ask the buyer if they plan on racing mostly two or one up. I do believe the new blades are more inclined to two up racing. But this is no perfect world or perfect market so we must work with what we can get and only improve or make things better for each individual.

Having had mine for a year and just recently helping build two new blades. On mine I've replaced ropes, cleats etc and moved things to where I want them. I think the new blades are pretty much spot on regarding fittings. Matts done a great job evolving his product & out of the box, there's nothing I would change (except tiller extension)!

Having sailed all versions of the Blade I agree that the evolution is there. On the very last day of the Zandvoort event (second day of distance racing) I crewed for Geert on his Alter Cup boat. I can only say :"WOW, what a upwind monster". We had heard these comments form the US Alter Cup sailors and I can only concur. That sail design is just right.

I'm very happy with Taipan but I do think the Blade is overall better. The strong points of the Taipan are its 1-up performance in very light winds. Blade's are nicer in all other conditions in my opinion. The only real caveat is that big wind under spinnaker the Blade stays flat and calm for all the way up to the threshold and then falls off it. The Taipan is certainly less dive-happy, it is in fact more so but because the bows start nodding a little before meeting the actual threshold you get ample advance warning, on the boat you can power it up all the way to inches of the threshold and feel like you have still acres left. That is what get most newbies and a few experiences sailors as well. But once get the know the craft better you'll know where the push and were to hold back a little. In my opinion the Stealth has its strong point right there with the T-foils. And so we have covered all 3 strong points of each boat. The Viper and Aussie Blade are still to young to be judged on this but they are said to be a little bit more forgiving downwind in a blow as well. It certainly looked that way.

Also there is another thing that most F16 sailors do well to learn. It simply pays so much to anticipate the wind and gusts on the downwind legs. If you are a fraction to late then yes the bows goes (but still recovers all the time) be on time and you drive it deep and accellerate fast with each gust. Timing is absolutely everything here. If a guyy is walking away from you under spinnaker (like Tim I expect) then it is this that he is doing right. It will feel like you are bearing off and heading up again BEFORE the gust is there. Look for, train yourself on it and experience the results.

Wouter

Hi Dave,

I would not call the "Formula Catamarans Australia" Blade (the only one I have experience with) lightly built. It is every bit as strong as the Taipan, with it's standard Kevlar outer skin and Kevlar reinforcing of bulkheads and frames it seems bullet proof <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />. Or at least Hobie 16 proof so far, I have hade one bounce of leaving a dent but no cracking of the skin. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />

Wouter, what makes the Aussie Blade different from VWM wrt downwind behavior? Are there any differences in hull shape?

Wow! Thanks you guys! This feedback is wonderful, and it seems that these are all well sorted, solid boats. I look forward to joining the club!

Dave

Speaking as a sailor who moved from a 70's Nacra to a 00's Blade I was surprised at how 'tender' the hulls are. I think I already had a dent before the boat had hit the water. After a couple of capsizes, the insides of the hulls are starting to resemble golf balls, with elbow and knee dents.
My boat isn't Kevlar. Kevlar may be something to look for.

I think the dents are a product of the lightweight construction. The hulls aren't glass core, it is foam core so it doesn't take much to dent the outer skin in. I certainly have more than a few. Not sure kevlar would makes much of a difference.
The HT that I had before had the same issue and the construction is largely the same.

My thoughts on buying a used US based VWM Blade:
1. Make sure the hulls are kevlar (almost all are). Look for dimpling, as described in earlier posts.
2. Check whether the daggerboards leak (my first low aspect boards leaked)
3. Inspect the rudders closely (the earlier types cracked at the rudder head)

That's about it. Most of these items have already been replaced on all early VWM Blades, but if you are looking for things to check - then that is it.

Later models of the VWM have already have these evolutions in place. It is an evolution and things do get better in each cycle. This is not a trend for VWM boats, but for all boats. Certain hull numbers have always been coveted because they are "stiffer" or "better built" - N5.2 2300 series boats are "the fastest" still today.

AHPC has had many more boats built from their moulds and have had a chance to perfect their product. US built VWM Blades have had many fewer boats built, but have been improving them with each cycle. The latest boats have been VERY good, IMO. The Blades are just as well built, just make sure they have been taken care of and kept up to date.

You will find lemons in every line of boat/car/golf club/etc. You just need to know what to look for.

Tom, I remember you and Terry ran into dagger board and or rudder problems. I have one of the same dagger boards and rudders and have never had to deal with delam problems. WIERD!

Also another thing that some other people were having problems with was the jib compression struts, ive raced my boat hard uni and sloop and never had issues. My boat does have the small dimples here and there, but those never slowed me down.

LOL

Hi all,

as suggested I would agree that Kevlar makes no difference when it comes to dents, the amount of denting that occurs in a Glass or Kevlar outer skin is a result of the core stiffness, as was said, solid glass boats had little trouble with this but they are to heavy and flexible for a F16 hull.

So the amount of denting is reliant on the density of the foam core on boats like Taipans and Blades and then it is still a balancing act between weight and dent resistance,along with thickness for overall stiffness. I have certainly seen some Mosquito's in OZ that dent to easily. Can not comment on those in the US, it may be worth asking the manafacturer if he has altered foam core density at all, as that is what they did with the Mossies in OZ.

I can't think of anything I would call a weakness. The cosmetic dimpling I have results from hitting things or dropping it off the trailer <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />.

Fortunately, I havent't hit any channel markers (with the hull) yet <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />.

Or those pesky anchor lines that always get in the way. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I don't like the mast rotation. It's fine if you adjust between races, but I'm unable to tweak it while racing. That's a personal mod. though.

[/quote]Or those pesky anchor lines that always get in the way. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> [/quote]

HAHAHAHAH

Yea Robi, that was an incredible sight. Sorta' like stubbing your toe on the (elevated) crack in the sidewalk and finding your face on the cement!

But more damage to the foils that dimpling your hulls ... unless you count the dimple on your forehead from smacking the water.

HAHAHAHA

the manufacturers can make the area around the "dimple" area harder.. by increasing the foam density in that area and adding a second layer of skin.. Reducing density in other areas as well as decreasing glass/kevlar/carbon in non dimple areas..
Just things that are modified as builders get more experienced with their product..

<img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

HAHAHAHAH

Yea Robi, that was an incredible sight. Sorta' like stubbing your toe on the (elevated) crack in the sidewalk and finding your face on the cement!

But more damage to the foils that dimpling your hulls ... unless you count the dimple on your forehead from smacking the water.

HAHAHAHA [/quote]

I take it your team lost. . . again <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />.

No actually played pretty good. Held the #2 ranked offense in the country to 23 pts ... while we scored 44. Yipppee.

Much better than the drubbing we took at So.FL last week.

Exactly right, Robi. I did not intend to imply that all boards and rudders were bad - but there were a limited few problems. It'd be a good thing to check prior to purchasing a 2004/2005/2006 Blade, imo.