Hello fellow blokart sailors would like to know what chassis most people are sailing and the pro and cons of each model.

I am looking at purchasing a blokart within the next couple of weeks and would like to know from owners what that think of their current chassis' with regards to:

- Performance: _is there any real difference or is it just psychological?
_What about chassis rigidity and strength?
_Weight?
_What are the top guys and girls racing?


-Maintenance/Repairs:_How do you maintain yours?
_Would there be any difference in the repairs of each material?

-Aesthetics: _Which one looks the best? Can the Chromoly frame be painted/powder coated?

-Resale:_ Which chasis will hold its value come time to sell?


I am still undecided as to which model will suit my needs.

I went for a test sail on a carpark with Bryan the Kalgoorlie Blokart dealer on his kart that had all the fruit and was hooked.

I plan to race in the production class initially as this is what my current budget will allow with the intent to move into the performance class and spending my money on:

1. Carbon Mast
2. POD
3. Ratchet Pulley and 6:1 Cunningham
4. Batten tensioners

I intend to sail at various locations including Lake Lefroy and blasting along the beach at Esperance.

I am a heavier sailor in the 80kg weight range and love to sail fast. I have a windsurfing and sailing background as I grew up sailing on the beautiful lake Cootharba and Noosa River. Now I am living and working in the Goldfields and there is no water so Blokarts are the next best thing.

I am leaning towards the Chromoly comp model because:
-Price: Its $600 Cheaper
-Strength: They make tools and Mountain Bikes from Chromoly however that don't ride them on the beach or salt lakes.

My biggest concern is the the corrosion. I don't my expensive toy eaten away, weakened or looking crap after 12months of use. Warranty/Built in obsolesces.

Sorry for the big spiel but I am honest to hear everyones feedback.

I have been lurking and posting around here for a while about the 5.6. As many of you know the US will be hosting the Worlds in 2013. WE are having the 5.6 Mini class. I'm not a voting board member on NALSA but have some concerns about our future. I try to promote our sport by providing free plans for do it yourselfers with my ST 49 wingboat design. I also am promoting the Worlds by getting the word out via video's by spreading it around on web sites such as this. Some of the negative comments I've read about the US Worlds is that they will run their own classes why go. It has some truth but we are trying to be as accommodating as possible. We are at a cross roads for NALSA to permanently ( not just the Worlds) include the 5.6 mini class rather than an American version of the mini class. The American version has about 9 rules or more.Some of the boats I've seen here would not meet class criteria) The American version has never really caught on over the years at least at the annual Americas Cup of Landsailing. With the new 5.6 Int class there is a buzz and excitement over mini. The problem is that as of now not enough board members want to permanently adopt the 5.6 rule. I've read past posts on here with some having some reluctance toward adopting the 5.6 mini rules. How did you guys work it out?
Thanks
John




I love this post regarding the intent of the 5.6 mini class.



The wheels !
Firstly , some clarity , there was a slight "lost in translation" and " lost in local terminology " in the written version of the rule and this will be clarified officialy next opportunity but everyone is complying with the original intent of the rule . ie, The max wheel size is actually intended as the the max TYRE size of 400x8. as commonly sold into Europe . This size is that of what is traditionally called a wheel barrow tyre in most countries.

The Wheel can be made of anything you like but a preference is for the plastic barrow type wheel to be used, so make em in titanium if you like but dont exceed the tyre size ! If the max of 400 x 8.00 tyre size is too big for you well then feel free to use smaller Blokart type size wheels and tyres or go smaller again if you like, just not bigger !.

It is planned that the rule will have the following added,

'The rope must lie on the ground. The touching part of the tyres on the ground must fit inside the rope '

Other proposal formulated at the FISLY meeting of 22.01.2011:
' wheel size is maximum 400x8' is to be changed to 'the tyre size' .

You can put whatever pressure you want into your tyres of up to this size and yes it will change the profile and foot print of the miniyacht but if it! fits inside that loop of rope 5.6m long on the ground its ok .


Remember that common sense should always prevail and the KISS approach is paramount to having fun.

All inclusive is the intent , get people out sailing and progressing is the intent and I take responsibility for the rule being so simple. I was the proposer of this rule to the FISLY council and one of the people who pushed for this recognition for miniyachts for years and years recognising that it is the way to introduce new people to the sport.
There are always minor language and local interpretation dificulties in any multi lingual and multi national organisations - hence the wee tweaks to the rule as outlined above.

Hope this helps and this debate is brilliant as it tells me the rule is a success and doing as I intended and hoped it would, as I said above.

Keep asking but do more telling others !

So go forth and KISS

Cheers

Alan ( now a FISLY Vice President !)

Hey new found friends:
I am starting this post to ask questions that may have already been answered on the forum, but if you have time to respond to anything you see, I welcome it.

Thanks in advance.
Ron