Just wanted to let you all know that Blade 705 made it to the water for the first time this past weekend at the CRAW regatta at Rock Lake, WI. I had really hoped to have some quality time on the water getting a feel for the boat before attempting to race (also a novelty for me as far as small boats are concerned). But after a few false starts in getting the rig set up this was the first chance I'd had to launch the boat, and with the season rapidly drawing to a close I didn't want to miss the second to last regatta for the year.

Jamie (from here on the forum) kindly came and crewed with me and called tactics. I have to admit that it wasn't exactly an auspicious first event for us. I was late getting to the beach and we missed the first race. We sailed a couple of races in very light airs and realized right away that we have some learning to do to get the rig dialed in. We retired after that to sort out some rigging issues. So it was a fairly short first sail, but good learning and enough to wet my appetite for some more racing. The next regatta (last for the season) is at Lake Kegonsa, WI in two weeks.

Although racing the boat in its first outing wasn't what I had initially planned, it actually turned out well. The friendly folks at CRAW were very helpful with advice on a few things, and there was a lot of interest in the boat. A lot of people hadn't heard of F16 or Blade before.

Mark.

Sweet Mark, hope to see some pictures soon enough. Congrats on your first run.

Good to hear your boat has been Christened !

Did you name her at the same time ? If so how is she called ?

Best of enjoyment over the next period while discovering the boat.

And don't forget to call in outside help (us here in the forum) if you feel that there is more speed potential for the given conditions but you can't get it unleashed.

There are a few tricks to the superwing rig and not all advice that works well on boats like the F18's will work on the F16 and visa versa.

Good luck !

Wouter