I just arrived home with my new Blade this afternooon. I picked it up from Vectorworks last week June 30 and drove it home during the last 3 days(Phoenix). I would like to thank Chuck H. for spending several hours of his Friday afternoon showing my wife and I the mast and spinnaker setup. Matt M. was on vacation and was not available. Just as Chuck H. mentioned, my front mast yoke came loose. I stopped at Home Depot on the way across Texas and added a Nylock nut.

I hope to set up the boat this weekend and will be building a sail box next weekend using HDPE plastic sheet. I will post pictures later next week. My spinnaker was late so it is being shipped directly to my house. The rudder and dagger boards are very light compaired to my H20 rudders and boards. I was supprised to see the new rudder setup. I thought the lockdown rod was being used. It uses a pulldown line. I will reserve judgement on the rudder setup until after I sail it through surf in Rocky Point Mexico. I have to clean up the boat and trailer after my 2200 mile drive back home (bug juice).

Is "bug juice" the name of your new boat? <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Congrats Stephen! Gotta agree with Robie, let's see it! <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Not much of the boat, but good shot of a happy fat man at work. Robi, note the intensity of the crew!

ehheheheh YEP! I saw that! ahhahahah

First pictures. Dirty with plastic film and duct tape.

Another view when dirty.

After a bath. Notice the front mast support has been reversed (A better angle for the load and more room for my 12 foot long container I am building next weekend).

View 2.

View 3.

View 4.

View 5. Wow, the bottom is really flat.

I have to complete the rigging possibly tomorrow. I have to wait until I receive my spinnaker before I do a complete setup at home. I think I am sail number 718.

NOW thats what I am talking about!!!!

Congrats, its hard to tell, but does your cross beams have end caps?

Would you post a pic of the spare tire mounting? Seems like a good place.

thanks

For the spare tire - U bolt through the tire hub and lug. Very good place for it.

Very nice, Stephen. Congratulations on the new boat. Makes we want to go sailing....

BTW, check your PM.

Me wanna Blade too <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />

What are you waiting for then? <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

That is such a beauty....im counting the days until I finally check one out up-front!

Congrats on the new boat! Obviously, I would have preferred to see you get an f-18 boat (tiger or Infusion) so we could race straight up, but I am curious to see the Blade. Rumor has it that an f-16 is racing in the Milt; any chance that is you?
Give me a shout, mattmanmorris@hotmail.com