BLADE - F-16 Catamaran
Many of our long time customers know that we have an extensive background in sailboat racing. More national and world championships than we can even remember in a hundred different classes of boat. They all had one thing in common. All of them were in mono-hulls. My limited experience in catamarans when I was younger were less than stellar. They were heavy, turned like and aircraft carrier, did horribly in the light air and chop common in our area and had the same tacking angle as a square rigger.
Those days are over!
We are proud to be representing the Blade in the mid-west. This innovative Phil Brander design is part of the larger F-16 class movement rapidly gaining a following in both Europe and North America.
What makes these boats unique?
They are very light. How light? The boat is 240#s. Light enough to be picked up by a couple of guys. This makes it responsive on the water and easy to launch and retrieve. (This is anywhere from 80 - 160 pounds less than most 16' beach cats.) 8kts of breeze and you are already going like smoke.
Thanks to high aspect foils, the Blade will go up wind with the same tacking angle as a Laser. Just a heck of a lot faster! And, while I can't say the boat turns on a dime, the word barge has yet to cross my lips. It turns about like my 18' Buccaneer did.
The blade features an asymmetric spinnaker that makes reaching a total rush. The nice thing about the asymmetric is that it is easier to fly. You can talk a total novice through it with little practice. Not having to jibe a pole makes life much easier. With the Blade, this funster is included, not an expensive option.
The Blade can be raced either single or double handed. Got crew? Throw on the jib and head for the course. No crew? Want to go solo? No sweat! Take off the jib and head for the course. This is my favorite part. I got to go from 3 boats to one! Blades race equal, either way.
Specifications:
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The Vectorworks Marine Blade is fully F16 compliant and ready to sail/race boat with: White NPG Iso gel
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coat exterior finish, Light-weight foam core sandwich construction with fiberglass and Kevlar reinforced
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vinylester laminate, Large diameter aluminum alloy beams, Performance foils, Carbon high-aspect dagger
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boards, Wing-section mast, Radial cut Pentex racing sails, Single color high aspect spinnaker, Mid pole
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snuffer system with single line control, Fully battened jib, Self tacking jib system, Top of the line bearing
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blocks on all control lines and Premium cordage.
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USD $14,515
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Available Options:
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Full Kevlar Hulls $700
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Carbon Rudders $150
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Colored Hulls $300/500 *
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Sta-master shroud adjusters $35
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Additional spin colors $50 ea
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Trailer (Galvanized steel w/ 12” tires, forward cradles, rear
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double rollers, mast caddy and tie downs) $1,200
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Composite cradles w/ carpet surface molded for Blade hulls $200 set of 4
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$110 pair (fore or aft)
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Yard cover (Top gun by Kinder) $650
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Pricing F.O.B. Factory FL. Taxes and duty not included.
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Shipping is available worldwide
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Packaging for shipping $350
- Actual freight Pre-pay and add at cost depending on destination.
Special Deal: Save a quick thousand plus! I have one of the Alter Cup boats here! Boat with all the extras sans trailer $13500.00 With 4 cradle trailer $14500.00. The boat is in great shape and has only been sailed a few times including the Alter Cup. See pics below.
Gallery: a couple of shots, more to follow soon.
For more information or a test sail contact us at 888-461-9463 or Email: daniel@windline.net