Guys/Gals:

Any Blade F-16's going to Deep South regatta. Like to see up close, as I might buy one later and the local Houston guy will no answer email replys Bob Klein and I have tried.

Doug Snell
832-533-4506

oh lord...I'm hesitant to ask this, but I'm feeling starved for light hearted entertainment at the moment....

I thought you were going to get a DK A cat?

I'm about to put upon you a diagnosis of grade A "Shiny-itus" but it looks like you may be also afflicted with "FlipFlopism". Further test results are required to see if you also suffer from (as my father does) "absentee-blinkerism".

Doug,

I may be one of the closest Blade F16s to Lake Charles. Unfortunately, I will not be able to make it to the Deep South Regatta. The best bet may be to make it all the way to the FL pan handle (or the Alter Cup <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />). Good time to take a look.

Matt had an "Alter Cup-like" (not sure if it was actually built for AC or not) boat at Gulfport F16/A-Class regatta last weekend. Looked good. Some rigging differences for spi launch/retrieval and different foil shapes (d-boards and rudders). The boats have always been well built, but they are getting even better.

Tom:

Starting new job, trip to Fla will have to wait awhile.

Doug

Jake:
Everyone says a A is just to fragile. They broke BIG at one of the last regattas (Broken mast on pitch pole, crossbars pulled out, etc.) F-16 looks like a good building class. I have heard good things about the Blade from Pete Pollard and the guys. Can race it Uni, main and chute or all up. Ashleigh is only 13 and 110 lbs. Don't think she can handle the big chute. Just want to get rid of 21 year old boat and get latest technology. HELL the boat is 2' 4" longer than the 4.3 and weight the same (240 lbs). It should FLY!!!!

Ready for 21st century boat,

Doug

Doug, I was helming Dart 18's by the age of 12.

.......Take a deep breath.... and this is what I hope will happen when my son or daughter grow up, and assuming they want to sail...

Let Ashleigh helm !!!!!!!!! Afterall, it's faster with the crew with the mainsheet upwind anyway... <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Or, there is no reason why you (as helm) cannot have the kite and wire downwind with Ashleigh on the side deck.

My son has been helming since he was five years old. Mainly because I won't hand him the mainsheet, but also because we don't weigh much so I have to be the one out on the wire. On light days, I helm because I have more patience and it doesn't throw the balance of the boat off if he gets his scrawny butt on the wire. We haven't raced together yet, but that should be coming soon... along with a new insurance policy.

-Rob V.

I am just trying to get a new boat I can sail both 1-up and 2-up, that has todays Carbon and Kevlar and all the bells and whistles. She can't sail much during school as we are really working on getting her grades up. Ashleigh (grand daughter) has been sailing with me since see was 6, 13 now. She has trap time and is getting helm time now. I gave her the stick on Hobie 17 and after 15 minuets of coaching, SAID Paw Paw I don't need to watch the TeloCat, I can FEEL it!!! The Mystere 4.3 will be turned over to her when I am comfortable she can get back by herslef while I follow on other boat.

I just think the Blade would meet all the needs I have and it IS a building class.

Just my 2 cents,

Doug

Doug:

Were you the guy that was trying to sell the bootleged copies of the Rick White Sailing Seminars last weekend at the Texas City Dike Yacht Club last weekend? Shouldn’t do that dude – bad Juju!

Nimrod

Say it aint so! Doug?

Who is willing to start a Doug Snell legal defense fund?

New job, new boats, bootlegged DVDs? This doesn't sound good. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />

Well, if he is good at selling, maybe he would like a job working for our store on commission. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

But, seriously, it's scary to see how one offhanded question/allegation on the internet can destroy a person's reputation, whether he is guilty or innocent.

It could happen to any of us.

Doug,

Please watch your posts. At the Gulfport regatta, Rush Bird on his A2 broke a mast in a violent capsize. He was close reaching into the weather mark and got hit by a violent gust and unfortunately hit the mark with the mast. I think that contributed greatly to the mast section breaking.

I assembled my boat improperly (used the wrong length beam bolts) and popped loose the putty fairings in the rear beam socket. There was no structural failure, just embaressment for me. Please verify your posts before you imply the wrong thing about a class or individual.

Thanks,

Bob Hodges