Cirrus News

July 2008
Blaze 100 specification announced

A special derivative of the Blaze class is under development by Cirrus/Rondar. It is aimed at the heavier and larger helm over 100kg. It will carry a larger 12.0m sail on a taller 7m mast. Unsually the new class will permit lighter helms to join in but they will have to carry corrector weights to a mimimum of 100kg. The intention is to create a powerful new class specifically for larger helms where relative lightweights have no advantage. The boat uses a standard Blaze hull so reducing the imagined risk for owners investing in a new class. Development is intended to start this summer and be concluded by December 2008.

March 2008
NEW EPOXY BLAZE LAUNCHED AT ALEXANDRA PALACE SHOW

The new all epoxy Cirrus Blaze with revised deck moulding launched at dinghy show. Also seen for the first time was the latest North mainsail. The company took 10 orders at the show and begins building the first production batch in March.

June 2007
CIRRUS BOATS - FIRST RACES

Cirrus boats are proving highly competitive straight on the water. With 2 of the top three positions filled with the striking all white Cirrus boats at the recent 2007 Nationals, and a bundle of other successes plus a healthy order book the class looks forward to the future. The new North mainsail is also proving highly competitive.

Cirrus and Rondar, who build the hulls, are also planning to replace the current deck moulding in the near future. The current tooling acqured from Topper last summer is feeling its age and they will also be taking the opportunity to refine the layout and ease of build given the upturn in orders. All key elements will be unchanged but there will be changes to the kick bars, wing attachments and a revised plate case and non-slip will be rationalised throughout. The first revised boats will be available prior to the Blaze Inlands in September. www.cirrusrace.com

5th September 2006

Cirrus to take over Blaze tooling and manufacture from Topper International announced. Press release text as follows:

NEW BUILDER ANNOUNCED FOR BLAZE
Cirrus Raceboats, a new company, has purchased all Blaze tooling and stock and will commence building the popular winged single hander in the autumn. Mike Lyons, class secretary for much of the last decade, and the driving force behind the revival of the class is behind the new venture.

“The market for the Blaze is modest but growing, just as it is for many specialist racing boats. We believe it has a lot of unrealised potential yet that only a dedicated and specialist supplier can really develop further. We also understand why Topper wished to re-focus away from GRP production despite encouraging Blaze sales figures. We are delighted to announce that Rondar will be building the hulls for us from this autumn”

“It’s a great boat, relatively straightforward and lightweight with lots of leverage. It also has an impressive turn of speed particularly in stronger winds. Despite its good manners and accessible performance it still presents a real challenge to sail to its potential. At Cirrus we want a lot more people to try it now and form their own opinion based on its merits”

The boat itself will remain much the same and the company has already started the process of production planning with new orders in the pipeline already. With around 50 boats entering the Blaze Nationals annually and a shortage of used boats the class has emerged as one of the successes of recent years. Cirrus will be running a series of ‘try a blaze’ days – details will shortly be posted on both the Blaze Association website and at www.cirrusraceboats.com or alternatively a trial can be arranged by phoning 01635 200167

Blaze class news feed courtesy of Yachts and Yachting

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