The Bladerider X8 is derived from and 100% compliant with the renowned International Moth class.

The Bladerider is like no other sailboat, employing the very latest design and composite material technologies to produce a true "extreme sailing" experience.

The International Moth has seen rapid growth in class numbers across four continents. Its popularity stems from a unique combination of

• Modern, hi-tech look
• Ultra light-weight construction making it easy to transport and launch
• High performance in a wide range of wind and water conditions
• Exhilarating speed and thrills
• Enormous appeal for youth sailors looking for a "buzz"
• Emphasis on fitness and skill rather than weight and strength

Extreme Sailing: The Bladerider X8 offers an exciting blend of speed, action and thrills. Due to its light-weight construction and advanced engineering design, the Bladerider can lift in 6 knots of wind, fly through a lull as low as 4 knots, and will achieve boat speeds in excess of 20 knots in a 12-15 knot wind.

Suits Any Sailor: The Bladerider X8 is an ultra light-weight boat with no trapeze or spinnaker, therefore allowing super high speed without any extra wires or sails. Hydrofoil sailing ensures that the advantages of higher sailing weight and physical strength are effectively countered by early, faster speeds achieved by lighter weight sailors.

Open Class: The Bladerider is able to provide a true open-class event in which sailors over a broad range of weights and strengths can be competitive. Men, women and youths are able to compete on an equal basis in the same events with the same equipment.

Photo © 2007 Oskar Kihlborg

Thrilling Racing: There are few better spectacles in sailing than a fleet of Moths flying over the water on hydrofoils in as little as 5 knots of wind. Every race event attracts a crowd of onlookers astonished by this revolutionary sailing craft. Due to the rapid acceleration and high speeds involved, the placings in any race can never be a certainty until the very end. To sail a Bladerider, sailors need agility, athleticism and fitness; to successfully race a Bladerider, sailors also need excellent tactical skills.

Features

Hull:   3.355m in overall length with a fine bow, straight rocker, flat bottom, square chines and low freeboard all combine to produce a hull with less weight and windage for optimum lo-riding performance. Volume has been kept in the stern for a cleaner lift-off. The reduced size and volume of the hull has big cost benefits when transporting the Bladerider. The X8 also comes with a ISAF International Moth plaque enabling you to get your boat registered for Moth racing a lot sooner!

Construction:   Pre-preg carbon hull, aerodynamic molded carbon wing frame, pre-preg carbon centreboard, rudder and foils, carbon fibre mast and boom, carbon tiller, pre-preg carbon molded low-drag rudder box, dacron trampolines.

Weight & Finish:   Hull weight is under 10kg painted in a high gloss black finish with red trim. Otherwise the boat weighs 30kg fully rigged, with foils!

Hydrofoils:    Two piece, high-lift T-foils on centerboard and rudder, purpose-designed for lowest drag and maximum lift in speed range 5-26 knots. Flaps on the main foil are controlled by the bow wand mechanism, geared for easy lift-off.

The entire rudder assembly can be rotated by the tiller twist grip to manually adjust the angle of of attack. The downward curve in the center of the foil gives greater lift, and the upward curve in the tips reduces tip vortex.

All the foils are now clear carbon finish to reduce wear and tear on the earlier painted surfaces and to provide a perfect surface finish straight from the steel moulds.

Lift Controls:   Automated lift control on centerboard hydrofoil flap mechanically actuated by bow wand; manual lift control on rudder hydrofoil by tiller twist grip. All control mechanisms are stainless steel and therefore will resist any force.

Rig and Fittings:   100% carbon boom and mast, Ronstan fittings and FSE Robline ropes.

Sail:  Comes with an 8m Bladerider sail (International Moth compliant).

Wing Covers: lightweight Dacron trampolines with internal air bags to help beginners with capsize recovery. more...

Trolley:   The boat comes with a alloy trolley and tie down straps with hooks.

Shipping Box:   Base price includes a reusable shipping box (measuring 350x73x41cms) and made from timber and cardboard, that fits everything (including covers and sailing gear) inside.