Capsizing

Don't go in to start with!

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A lot of discussion again - any system or method that works for you is good!
My own one is to avoid going in the water in the first place. As the boat goes over the natural reaction is to grab onto the 'upper' wing (nice tubes are just right for handholds). The boom and mast end up on the surface - simply take a couple of swift steps along the boom forward still holding onto the wing and put a leg over the side in front of the wing, straight onto the board. The boom will not be depressed too quickly if you don't hang around.
Again using the tube as a hand hold lean back until the boat starts to come up and then step back over. If it does not want to come make sure the main is not cleated and especially let off the kicker so the boom can lift. If you are thrown into the water - which in reality will not happen very often if you grab on

• if the boat is still on its side - the centreboard route is more difficult than getting on the hull via the mast base and stepping over quickly, again because of the availability of handholds.

• If boat inverts completely - get onto hull and put weight on one of the deck/hull joins, this will bring mast to the surface. Simply step onto centreboard and when mast is about 45 degrees above surface step over again into cockpit. The RYA don't teach these methods of course but give it a try and make up your own mind.

Do practice the above method of walking along the boom and over a few times when conditions are benign to build confidence. Sounds like it should not work but it does ..... easy ..... give it a go and let us know what you think.

Cheers - Mike Lyons

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Capsize recovery

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I can  sympathise as another 50+ and "well ballasted" new Blaze sailor. I had real  problems the first time I sailed the boat and fell out the back adjusting the  rudder - very embarrassing. I didn't have the strength to haul myself up to  the small and slippery board, got it in the end but decided to look for a  solution. I attached a short line with a loop at the end to each forward  tube. I have them tied back to the rear tube anchorages with a light line  which keeps them out of the way under the tramps normally.
Now if I get  chucked in or don't make it over the side in time I just have to undo the  slip knot on my light line at the stern, and paddle round to the board where  I can just reach the bigger line and use it as a righting line until she  starts to come up. I find once the mast is up to 45 degrees she comes up  easily and under control. It seems to work.
Des 637

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Righting

 

It is perfectly feasible to right a Blaze using the mainsheet. Although I don't do it whilst  racing, I have demonstrated it in many different conditions whilst teaching. 
In light airs the boat will come up the way up without having to climb on to the  centreboard.
In heavy air the boat has a natural tendency to head up into the  wind as it starts to come upright. The process is a lot slower and you will end  up on the centreboard.
You can now uncleat the mainsheet if it has jammed. I  should admit at this point that I never fit a mainsheet jammer to any of my  boats, preferring the instant response of muscle power and a decent ratchet.  Find yourself an open stretch of water and give it a go Iain. Like they say,  don't knock it 'till you've tried it. You'll find it does work, honest.
On a  different note I have now joined that ever increasing club for people with a  broken alli boom. Damn thing gave out on me in a really exciting race at  Chichester this Sunday. There are three Blazes competing there at the  moment. Looks like I shall be getting a carbon fibre boom for my birthday. (26th  Nov). All the best to you all.
Steve Duncan 525

 

Lines

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I have fitted  short knotted righting lines to the forward tubes which makes capsize  recovery much easier. The slack is taken forward by elastic attached to the  shroud fixings. Maybe there is a better setup - I've only tried it one way  and it worked so I kept it. Being fairly light I can hoist myself onto the  board ok but the lines do make it easier. More significantly, once on the  board I need the extra lines to lean back enough to right the boat - without  them I'm faced with a choice of moving further down the board (risk of board  damage) or leaning back in the 'pike' position and bouncing (risk of back  damage). No doubt the righting lines would also come in handy if any of my  septegenarian friends are unlucky enough to capsize!
Angus 617