Blaze Information, Review, Specs

With its distinctive cat-rig and hiking wings, the Blaze provides an engaging platform for competitive sailing enthusiasts. Its design ethos focuses on maximizing performance through efficient hull shape and sail plan, coupled with features that make high-speed sailing accessible.

History and Design

The story of the Blaze began in 1996 with its design by Ian Howlett, known for his work on the International 14 and America's Cup projects, alongside John Caig. The initial goal was to create a dinghy that offered significant performance while remaining simple to sail, a philosophy that has defined the class since its inception.

Production of the Blaze has evolved through several builders and iterations. White Formula was the original builder for the Mk1 and Mk2 versions. Subsequently, Cirrus Raceboats Limited took on the production of the Mk3 and Mk3a models. Rondar Raceboats, a builder with a long-standing reputation for constructing championship-winning one-design race boats, took over production of the Blaze after 2006, continuing to build the class in line with their commitment to precision and performance. More recently, Hartley Boats has produced the Mk4 version, ensuring the ongoing development and availability of the class. This multi-builder history, combined with an active class association, has ensured the Blaze has seen continuous development, including sail improvements and refinements to its design over the years.

Sailing Performance and Handling

The Blaze, with a length overall of just under 14 feet and a lightweight displacement of 143 pounds, is fundamentally designed for speed and agile handling. As a high-performance dinghy, traditional sailboat ratios for stability and performance, typically applied to larger keelboats, do not directly apply. Instead, its performance is characterized by its purpose-built design features.

Equipped with an efficient cat-rig and hiking racks, the Blaze is engineered for exhilarating performance. Owners consistently describe it as a "terrific boat to sail" that is easy to keep well-trimmed, reducing the physical exertion often associated with high-performance dinghies. Its lightweight hull and effective sail plan allow it to accelerate quickly and plane readily, offering a thrilling ride in a variety of conditions. Sailors note its fantastic hiking position, which is crucial for managing its power. The design ensures it remains simple to sail despite its high-performance capabilities, making it an accessible option for those seeking a fast, responsive, and exciting single-handed racing experience.

Accommodations and Layout

Given its design as a compact, high-performance racing dinghy, the Blaze does not feature internal accommodations or a traditional cabin layout. Instead, its design focuses entirely on the cockpit and deck arrangement to optimize single-handed racing. The Blaze incorporates a self-draining cockpit, a practical feature that helps manage water ingress during active sailing, though this can result in a shallower cockpit profile.

The deck layout is clean and uncluttered, facilitating quick and efficient maneuvers. The single-sail (cat-rig) setup, combined with options such as an "off the boom" sheeting system, opens up the cockpit considerably, providing ample space for the sailor to move freely and manage controls. The emphasis is on ergonomics and ease of control during demanding racing conditions, with all lines and fittings strategically placed for intuitive access.

Owner's Perspectives

Blaze owners consistently praise the dinghy for its high-speed and exhilarating performance, noting that it manages to deliver this excitement while remaining relatively simple to sail. The boat is frequently highlighted as a fantastic option for those seeking a fast and rewarding single-handed racing experience. Owners appreciate the effectiveness of its racks system, which makes it easy to maintain proper trim and leverage the boat's power.

The Blaze benefits from a highly active class association, which has played a significant role in the dinghy's development and ongoing popularity. This active community provides a strong support network for owners and contributes to vibrant racing fleets. While specific common problems are not widely reported as persistent issues, one noted issue in the past was related to mast step problems, which have since been resolved by subsequent builders like Cirrus and Rondar. Overall, the consensus among owners points to a boat that delivers on its promise of high-performance racing with an accessible and enjoyable sailing experience.