Took the Blade out for it's first sail today. Weather in Victor today was about 26 degrees C and about 12-15 knots blowing offshore, which means gusty and very flat water.
Despite a few teething problems like remembering how to leave beach on an offshore day with me on the boat and not dragging behind it, I finally got it going. Heading out to sea boat wanted to really wild thing, which had me thinking, "do I really want to put the kite up today?" Gee I'm glad I did. What a ride with the kite up. There was one point where I wondered if I really should be on the wire with the kite up without footstraps. A couple of seconds later my fear was confirmed. Footstraps behind the main beam will be added very soon.
The main I used is an experimental one Marcus has developed and unfortunately it kept jamming against the cut out in the track so I was limited in the amount of luff tension i could get. This made going upwind exciting when some of those gusts really hit to be sure.
Obviously i have lots of work to do to remember how to steer again after spending 12 months at the front of an yvonne, and tacking and gybing are going to need lots of practice, but overall i am one very happy customer.
Congratulations! Looks like you had a blast. Nice boat, nice weather and you survived <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
Cool graphics on the side!
Are you happy?
Re: First Sail On New Blade - with photos
[Re: Rolf_Nilsen]
#154988 09/13/0808:44 AM09/13/0808:44 AM
Thanks Rolf. Yes I am very happy. The weather was great. Don't think I will need that drysuit afterall <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> I really want to go out again tomorrow, unfortunately 25-30 knots is being forecast. My wife designed the graphics and we are really pleased how it came out.
Regarding the mainsail, yeah I think it looks pretty cool, and it was certainly working hard in those gusts today. You'll have to ask Marcus about the specifics about the construction though, I don't really understand that stuff.
Simon BLADE F16 AUS405
Re: First Sail On New Blade - with photos
[Re: simonp]
#154990 09/13/0809:08 AM09/13/0809:08 AM
Took the Blade out for it's first sail today. Weather in Victor today was about 26 degrees C and about 12-15 knots blowing offshore, which means gusty and very flat water.
Despite a few teething problems like remembering how to leave beach on an offshore day with me on the boat and not dragging behind it, I finally got it going. Heading out to sea boat wanted to really wild thing, which had me thinking, "do I really want to put the kite up today?" Gee I'm glad I did. What a ride with the kite up. There was one point where I wondered if I really should be on the wire with the kite up without footstraps. A couple of seconds later my fear was confirmed. Footstraps behind the main beam will be added very soon.
The main I used is an experimental one Marcus has developed and unfortunately it kept jamming against the cut out in the track so I was limited in the amount of luff tension i could get. This made going upwind exciting when some of those gusts really hit to be sure.
Obviously i have lots of work to do to remember how to steer again after spending 12 months at the front of an yvonne, and tacking and gybing are going to need lots of practice, but overall i am one very happy customer.
Ok here are some photos. Fire away. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />
Good thing there is no min crew weight in the F16 class.
Re: First Sail On New Blade - with photos
[Re: simonp]
#154991 09/13/0809:10 AM09/13/0809:10 AM
You will need that drysuit when you come to the F16 worlds/GC here in Norway in 20xx <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
Here is a picture of a lucky man. I am not too certain about who is in control here, man or boat <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> (Just envious of you and trying to make you feel bad as a way of equalizing things <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Following pics show that you recovered in excellent style ). Hope there will be more pictures and reports!
Re: First Sail On New Blade - with photos
[Re: simonp]
#154992 09/13/0809:35 AM09/13/0809:35 AM
Thanks Rolf. Yes I am very happy. The weather was great. Don't think I will need that drysuit afterall <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> I really want to go out again tomorrow, unfortunately 25-30 knots is being forecast. My wife designed the graphics and we are really pleased how it came out.
Regarding the mainsail, yeah I think it looks pretty cool, and it was certainly working hard in those gusts today. You'll have to ask Marcus about the specifics about the construction though, I don't really understand that stuff.
ofcourse simon is happy....
Clo took the photo's...
I baby sat ( multi tasking!) <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
Simon got to play with the new toy.
Re: First Sail On New Blade - with photos
[Re: simonp]
#154993 09/13/0810:05 AM09/13/0810:05 AM
Actually, the spi makes the boat better behaved in challenging conditions. In my experience the F16's are more dive happy without a spi. It sounds contradictionary but it is true.
Adn when all hell breaks loose, set the spi and pin yourself against the rearbeam with you butt on the luff hull steering the boat by the tillers (not the tiller extension) and follow that big piece of cloth in front of the boat. As long as you can remain there near the mainbeam (and not luff up to violantly) you'll survive.
Congrats with your new boat and the best of enjoyment with it !
Wouter
Wouter Hijink Formula 16 NED 243 (one-off; homebuild) The Netherlands
Re: First Sail On New Blade - with photos
[Re: Rolf_Nilsen]
#154994 09/13/0810:08 AM09/13/0810:08 AM
I think Marcus is on to something here. His sail at the GC 2007 was really light and withstood the abuse of GC 2007 perfectly. A pitty that the shape and luff curve wasn't really there yet but when it is then I expect it to be an excellent F16 sail. Lightweight, strong, good looking and with a good shape. Less weight up top the better right !
Wouter
Wouter Hijink Formula 16 NED 243 (one-off; homebuild) The Netherlands
Re: First Sail On New Blade - with photos
[Re: Marcus F16]
#154995 09/13/0810:09 AM09/13/0810:09 AM
I think the baby needs a shave <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />:D
Quote
As long as you can remain there near the mainbeam (and not luff up to violantly) you'll survive.
Surely you ment to write rearbeam in the above quote?
Re: First Sail On New Blade - with photos
[Re: Tornado_ALIVE]
#154997 09/13/0810:26 AM09/13/0810:26 AM
Took the Blade out for it's first sail today. Weather in Victor today was about 26 degrees C and about 12-15 knots blowing offshore, which means gusty and very flat water.
Despite a few teething problems like remembering how to leave beach on an offshore day with me on the boat and not dragging behind it, I finally got it going. Heading out to sea boat wanted to really wild thing, which had me thinking, "do I really want to put the kite up today?" Gee I'm glad I did. What a ride with the kite up. There was one point where I wondered if I really should be on the wire with the kite up without footstraps. A couple of seconds later my fear was confirmed. Footstraps behind the main beam will be added very soon.
The main I used is an experimental one Marcus has developed and unfortunately it kept jamming against the cut out in the track so I was limited in the amount of luff tension i could get. This made going upwind exciting when some of those gusts really hit to be sure.
Obviously i have lots of work to do to remember how to steer again after spending 12 months at the front of an yvonne, and tacking and gybing are going to need lots of practice, but overall i am one very happy customer.
Ok here are some photos. Fire away. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />
Good thing there is no min crew weight in the F16 class.
Indeed; I was sailing with my 7 year old son a week or so ago.
Hopefully he'll want to crew (for about a year then he'll want his own boat!!!)
Now wait! After the discussions about hull abuse, the first thing spotted is a Blade on the sand!? Oh, where are my beach wheels!? Where is my weighted buoy! Where is the outrage!?
Re: First Sail On New Blade - with photos
[Re: JJ_]
#155000 09/13/0802:17 PM09/13/0802:17 PM
So the boats are more durable than you thought. When are you getting one of these? <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
Re: First Sail On New Blade - with photos
[Re: Rolf_Nilsen]
#155001 09/13/0804:02 PM09/13/0804:02 PM
Congrats Simon <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> , The boat looks amazing, hope she takes good care of you and the other way around. The pictures are also poster worthy.
Man that thing looks good... <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />
Florin
Re: First Sail On New Blade - with photos
[Re: Wouter]
#155002 09/13/0805:15 PM09/13/0805:15 PM
yeah, i wasn't nervous one bit. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />
Quote
Limited downhaul ? Ohh, you'll want to fix that !
yeah the new main will have slightly longer luff and leach which will take care of the problem. for the moment we have a work around that will get the job done. We put a 8:1 downhaul system on it too which may need to get beefed up a bit. It was designed so that is is a pretty simple process to add a 2:1 on top of the 8:1, which should be plenty of purchase
Quote
Setting the spi ? ALWYAYS !
Actually, the spi makes the boat better behaved in challenging conditions. In my experience the F16's are more dive happy without a spi. It sounds contradictionary but it is true.
Adn when all hell breaks loose, set the spi and pin yourself against the rearbeam with you butt on the luff hull steering the boat by the tillers (not the tiller extension) and follow that big piece of cloth in front of the boat. As long as you can remain there near the mainbeam (and not luff up to violantly) you'll survive.
I'm pretty sure you mean rearbeam, and yes that is the technique i resorted too. just didn't want to seem too conservative (you know testosterone pumping and all). What was interesting was, easing the spinnaker slightly as the nose starts to dive just pulls the bow back up so easily, I was nervous about doing this because the last boat I sailed that technique would have had you swimming very quickly.
Simon BLADE F16 AUS405
Re: First Sail On New Blade - with photos
[Re: Wouter]
#155003 09/13/0805:19 PM09/13/0805:19 PM
Wow Wouter, your English is amazing if you are using a one of these books for your spelling. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />
Simon BLADE F16 AUS405
Re: First Sail On New Blade - with photos
[Re: JJ_]
#155004 09/13/0805:31 PM09/13/0805:31 PM
Now wait! After the discussions about hull abuse, the first thing spotted is a Blade on the sand!? Oh, where are my beach wheels!? Where is my weighted buoy! Where is the outrage!?
Hull abuse. Hardly. Because i didn't want to sail up the beach I sailed really slow towards the beach, pulled the boards out way too early, pulled the rudders up. and the boat stopped moving forward altogether. So I thought no problem I should be able to reach the bottom here and jumped off. I was wrong! So I had to swim the boat in. Thank goodness the hulls don't actually provide much drag. And while the air temperature might have been 26degrees C, the water was much less. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> The boat then came in on a wave, when the water went back out to sea you have the photo above.
Simon BLADE F16 AUS405
Re: First Sail On New Blade - with photos
[Re: simonp]
#155005 09/13/0806:01 PM09/13/0806:01 PM
Nice Boat Simon. Bugger have to go back and redesign color for my new spinnaker.You should come up to Adelaide and do some racing Start is at 1pm on the next 2 Saturdays. So Victor has now 3 x Blades (2 New) 1 x Taipan, Coverted A and the occasional Viper or has Marcus got himself a boat making that 4 Blades?