After much weeping and gnashing of teeth <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> I have finally gotten the good news. It appears that Hull#716 is on the way and is scheduled to be hitting Chicago this evening before moving northward again. The sails and battens have been shipped seperately and should be arriving soon.

Outside chance of making your Club Regatta?

If not, don't fret ... I'm sure you won't have come down off the high mountain after Edmonton beats Carolina tonight.

And by no means should one consider constructing a Blade after too many Sleeman's, Moosehead, Canadian or Molson beers.

Aferall, with a Blade you're always on the edge.

Good Luck

About as good of a chance as for the bottom seed in the NHL of winning the Stanley Cup <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

I fear that there are still many shipping depots ahead this week. I will also have to deal with Customs, so even as an optimist I wouldn't expect delivery till Friday afternoon. Not much chance of uncrating and building the craft by Saturday AM. If I tried, I would be like the Cat in the Hat crew at the Tybee 500 who hit the beach after 22 hours on the water and were faced with the next start in 2 hours.

Reply to BobCat and Wouter,
Glad to hear the good reports. I too flew to Florida, in March, to meet Matt and Gina (and Ian) and to see what a Blade was and is. My impression of Matt is that he is of high character, very thoughtful and thorough. I'm glad that my impression is shared by others. Thanks

All well worth the wait. It is truly a cool boat. It is faster with the shiny side down, take my advice on that.

The folks at VMI (and Gina) are standup peeps. The kind that you count as friends after a weekend encounter.

More pics of USA 712 coming as I got a new digital camera as dad's day gift...

Waterproof?

Tom-
The check was mailed yesterday for the USF16 assoc. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Unfortunately I will be at the USGP <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> (Hey! <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> I like fast cars as well as fast boats!!) over the 4th of July weekend so can't make it back to OSYC then. Are you planning to make the Halloween regatta there or any other regattas this direction? I think Memphis has a regatta sometime??

Kirt

Phill
I am intrigued by your trailer. Care to show a pic of the moving parts? How did you construct the sliding bits?

Will:
Some months back you were discussing making some alterations to your trailer suspension.
Did you remove the helper springs from your trailer and did it help?
I have a Carnai trailer made for the Hobie 18. With the Blade on cradles and travelling at 55 mph, I observe considerable up and down movement of my bows on cement pavement. The rig rides a lot smoother on asphalt surfaces. The movement seems to be caused by the flexing of the trailer tongue and frame as it absorbs bumps rather than the springs.
I'm thinking of making two adjustments, take the smaller leaf off to soften the springs and moving the axle forward to move it closer to the mainbeam of the boat. That should reduce the hobbyhorsing effect I'm seeing in the rear mirror. I've attached a side view photo of rig to give you an idea of the trailer as currently configured.
Anybody have similar experiences?
John D.

I would fear that moving the axle forward would remove your "weight on hitch" while only adding a little onto the trailer suspension.