
The BLAZE offers significantly high performance (PY 1046 - ammended for 2010) while at the same time remaining simple to sail.
The boat brings together high speed and crisp handling in a powerful, easily driven hull; a fine entry flares into wide planing sections aft for maximum stability and blistering off-wind performance. And all from the security of a really comfortable cockpit.
Adjustable sitting-out racks are the answer to making this a superb racing machine for the widest possible weight range. The racks provide almost armchair comfort and generate the leverage to handle the modern, powerful rig. Blaze has a stayed SuperSpars mast and North or Elvstrom sail. This sophisticated modern rig gives usable power across a wide range of conditions.
All key control systems for the rig and the centreboard have been led out to the racks so you can carry on with fingertip adjustment even when you're screaming down a reach or rounding the windward mark. Conscious that a self-draining cockpit often means a shallow cockpit, suitable only for the very agile, designer lan Howlett achieved a comfortably deep area within the Blaze while retaining instant self-draining capability. With its sheeting arrangements and open transom, the Blaze has a huge area available for racing comfort. Both foils are lifting for stress free sailing in shallow water as well as during launching and recovery.
The Blaze has re-invented the pivoting centreboard. Rediscover the luxury of launching without the hassle of looking after a daggerboard - and of throwing a quick gybe without having to check that the foil won't foul the boom! The Blaze is finished and supplied to a high specification by Cirrus Raceboats, people who sail and race the boat themselves with the highly respected Rondar building the main GRP elements.
The Blaze employs a CAD designed 10 metre square 'round-head' semi soft sail design with tapered battens. The result is superb handling coupled to high efficiency and power. The sail design was refined in line with the extensive research and development program conducted by the Class Association together with the builders and equipment suppliers.
The refined rig enhances the upwind pointing ability yet still allows the sail to be 'feathered' upwind in high winds negating the brute force required with many fully battened single sail boats. By permitting a one design class to periodically update we have the best of both worlds - a manufacturers class but with an active association that sees that there is a 'third way'. The whole idea of one design sailing is to keep costs moderate. As a result, all boats can remain competitive regardless of age.