| Re: Blade's strengths and weakness?
[Re: Robi]
#120497 10/20/07 01:05 AM 10/20/07 01:05 AM |
Joined: Jan 2006 Posts: 13 Dubai, UAE davidh
stranger
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stranger
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 13 Dubai, UAE | 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)!
Dave H
VWM Blade F16
UAE719
Dubai
| | | Re: Blade's strengths and weakness?
[Re: davefarmer]
#120498 10/20/07 05:22 AM 10/20/07 05:22 AM |
Joined: Jun 2001 Posts: 9,582 North-West Europe Wouter
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 9,582 North-West Europe |
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
Wouter Hijink Formula 16 NED 243 (one-off; homebuild) The Netherlands
| | | Re: Blade's strengths and weakness?
[Re: davefarmer]
#120499 10/20/07 05:55 AM 10/20/07 05:55 AM | Anonymous
Unregistered
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Unregistered | 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="" /> | | | Re: Blade's strengths and weakness?
[Re: Wouter]
#120500 10/20/07 07:16 AM 10/20/07 07:16 AM | Anonymous
Unregistered
| Anonymous
Unregistered | Wouter, what makes the Aussie Blade different from VWM wrt downwind behavior? Are there any differences in hull shape? | | | Re: Blade's strengths and weakness?
[Re: davefarmer]
#120504 10/20/07 09:55 PM 10/20/07 09:55 PM |
Joined: Dec 2005 Posts: 1,121 Eastern NC, USA tshan
old hand
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old hand
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,121 Eastern NC, USA | are you all as happy with the Blade? These boats are built really light, aren't you seeing them break some? Thanks! 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.
Last edited by tshan; 10/20/07 09:59 PM.
Tom | | | Re: Blade's strengths and weakness?
[Re: PTP]
#120506 10/21/07 04:57 AM 10/21/07 04:57 AM | Anonymous
Unregistered
| Anonymous
Unregistered | 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. | | | Re: Blade's strengths and weakness?
[Re: fin.]
#120508 10/21/07 09:07 AM 10/21/07 09:07 AM |
Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 2,718 St Petersburg FL Robi
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,718 St Petersburg FL | 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="" /> | | | Re: Blade's strengths and weakness?
[Re: Robi]
#120510 10/21/07 09:51 AM 10/21/07 09:51 AM |
Joined: Mar 2006 Posts: 1,246 Orlando, FL tback
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veteran
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,246 Orlando, FL | [/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
USA 777
| | | Re: Blade's strengths and weakness?
[Re: tback]
#120512 10/21/07 10:34 AM 10/21/07 10:34 AM |
Joined: Feb 2006 Posts: 3,348 fin.
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,348 | [/quote]Or those pesky anchor lines that always get in the way. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.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="" />. | | | Re: Blade's strengths and weakness?
[Re: fin.]
#120513 10/21/07 10:51 AM 10/21/07 10:51 AM |
Joined: Mar 2006 Posts: 1,246 Orlando, FL tback
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,246 Orlando, FL | 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.
USA 777
| | | Re: Blade's strengths and weakness?
[Re: Robi]
#120514 10/21/07 11:14 AM 10/21/07 11:14 AM |
Joined: Dec 2005 Posts: 1,121 Eastern NC, USA tshan
old hand
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old hand
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,121 Eastern NC, USA | 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! 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.
Tom | | |
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