BLAZE Class Association
Add your boat to the Blaze register (or edit details) here.
The home of Hartley Blaze, Fire and Halo sailors
A class for youth and ladies
The introduction of the Fire sail from 2014 has given the Blaze accessibility to a new category of lighter-weight sailor. The rack design of the Blaze hull generates a substantial righting-moment against the Fire's 8.8m² sail area, providing a much more manageable racing and cruising experience for lighter helms. If you're used to sailing on a smaller rigged Aero or Laser you'll find harnessing the superior power of the Fire from the wide racks just as easy - and with way better performance. The grin-factor heavier Blaze sailors have been enjoying for decades is still very much part of the package.
Adoption of the Fire sail has gained traction in the past few years, and as a Class, we are committed to promoting the boat as a high-performance, exciting alternative to more established classes at the lower helm-weight ranges. Many of the current Blaze fleet have seen success using the Fire over the standard 10.4m² Blaze sail, proving it's versatility and competitiveness.
At 2023's Burghfield Blaze Open, the Gold and Silver positions both went to Fire sailors in a non-handicapped event.
2023 also saw the first Fire Nationals event, held at POSH (Paignton Open for Single Handers), with a fleet of 14 sailors. An Inlands event was added to the Fire programme in 2024. This provides a healthy springboard for the Fire class in general, with more Fire-only events planned through 2025.
Of course, any Fire sail is welcome to race within any Blaze event, and results recorded accordingly. You'll always find the warm Blaze reception and a competitive but fun-loving community we all thrive on. BCA invites and encourages all youth and ladies (and any other lighter helms) into the class to see for themselves why we host one of the best attended dinghy championship programmes in the country.
FREE Fire demo scheme, new for 2025. More details here.
...But it doesn't only have to be about the Fire - you always have the opportunity for a straight swap to the Blaze sail (same mast, same rigging) once you've got a feel for the boat, to keep you cruising and racing well into your Grand-Master/Mistress years...
