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Owenfackrell View Drop Down
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Posts: 129 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Owenfackrell Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Cat questions
    Posted: 12 Jul 11 at 7:52am
Hi all

I now have a dart 18 which I took out for the first time at the weekend and boy was it fun. I now have a couple of questions which I hope you can help with. First off what is the best way to strap her down to the trailer (I'm keeping her at home). Also on Sunday it was an on shore wind and coming in was a little interesting to say the least with the speed of her I settled on a come in and then turn head to wind and jump over the side type of action. Is there a better way of doing this?
Cheers.
I'm sure I will have plenty of more questions like keeping the hull flying.
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Wee Man View Drop Down
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Far too distracted from work


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Posts: 214 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Wee Man Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 Jul 11 at 8:28am
Truck strap over the whole boat (don't squeeze too hard) plus straps over each bow to the trailer works best for us.
 
Coming on to the beach (assuming it's nice and sandy) in shore break just sail straight on popping the rudders before they get mushed, or you can bring it in backwards (not good for rudders if they drop).
Watch what everyone else does and copy them. Enjoy.
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stewart smith View Drop Down
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Posts: 62 		Post Options Post Options   Quote stewart smith Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Jul 11 at 10:06pm

Reading your post reminds me and I am sure many other cat sailors, about sailing our own cats for the first time. Just the thought brings a smile to my face. I suggest that you get a copy of “The Catamaran Book” by Brian Phipps. It might be a little dated but still very relevant, especially as you have a Dart 18. I help with some catamaran instructing with the Scouts and at my sailing club and find this book gives a good starting point, particularly with tacking and gibing drills. Don’t bother with the Jeremy Evens book. It’s got better pictures but I feel is full of mistakes.
Stewart Smith
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ASok View Drop Down
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Really should get out more


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Posts: 739 		Post Options Post Options   Quote ASok Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Jul 11 at 10:46pm
Hi - where are you sailing? What sail number have you got?

The cat book by Brian Phipps is a good read. It is Dart biased and will give you a good introduction into rigging and sailing the boat.

Get signed up to the Dart 18 class. They run a fantastic training event every year at the beginning of the season. Its run by the top guys of the fleet and is a great learning experience from the basics right through to race training. Its a really good confidence builder for any level of sailor.

On the specific question of landing on a lee shore, I'd not suggest running it up the beach. You'll ruin your gel coat. Those two rudders will act as amazing brakes and those slow tacks you might have noticed come in handy when landing. Just come in as slow as possible and stuff it hard into the wind. The boat will park and you can throw the crew off to hold the boat steady. I normally pop one rudder up early to make it easy to protect them.

With the straps, I'd strap around the hulls forward of the front beam, one around the mast foot and one over the back. Also strap the trailer down if possible or load up that trailer box to add weight.

Have fun - any more questions please ask or try the Dart 18.com website where there is a wealth of knowledge

Edit - just re-read above posts and would agree that if there is a shore break, just ride it in. You'll just get munched by waves if you try and land my way


Edited by ASok - 15 Jul 11 at 10:47pm
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Owenfackrell View Drop Down
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Posts: 129 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Owenfackrell Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Jul 11 at 3:31pm
Hi
The sail number is 1014 but it's not the correct one for the hulls in fact she's a mongrel as one hull has the number 1962 and the other one starts with a 4 but it's been repaired at some point and this has covered the number. I generally launch at hythe Marina which is a wide concrete slip with rocks either side. It has the advantage that even when its a lee shore the direction it faces means that there isnt any room for any kind of swell to build up I haven't joined a sailing club as I just don't get the time to sail often enough to warrent the costs.
I only messed up the first tack and after that just took them slowly. I will mostly sailing on my own or with my 4 & 8 year old kids.
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Teamvmg View Drop Down
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Posts: 99 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Teamvmg Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Jul 11 at 5:56pm
Originally posted by Owenfackrell

Hi 
I haven't joined a sailing club as I just don't get the time to sail often enough to warrent the costs.
 
I will mostly sailing on my own or with my 4 & 8 year old kids.
 
I would say that that DOES warrant the costs!
 
 
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ASok View Drop Down
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Really should get out more


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Posts: 739 		Post Options Post Options   Quote ASok Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 Jul 11 at 4:40pm
Hythe Marina as in Southampton?
 
How much are MDL charging you to store there?  I used to work for MDL in Plymouth and the dingies in storage got a rough deal. Not that cheap to store, no club atmposhere, no support etc.
 
I suggest you consider popping down to Netley SC for a chat with us. We have loads of Dart 18's. Most Sundays there are between 5-10 on the start line. Its a great family atmosphere club and encourages kids of all ages and has a great sailing area to boot.
 
The fees are really reasonable for storage and membership. I'd seriously review your current arrangements get in contact.
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Owenfackrell View Drop Down
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Posts: 129 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Owenfackrell Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 Jul 11 at 4:47pm
I only use the public slipway there and the parking which is cheap enough I store the boat at home as I can only get out every other week at most due to other commitments.
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ASok View Drop Down
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Really should get out more


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Posts: 739 		Post Options Post Options   Quote ASok Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 Jul 11 at 8:35am
Ah ok. Not a bad arrangement if you can manage that.

I'm still going to give a massive plug for Netley though Wink
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Owenfackrell View Drop Down
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Posts: 129 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Owenfackrell Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 Jul 11 at 9:11am
I did look at the netley site and it does seem good but as I live in Blackfield it would take me at least half an hour at best to get there but if my circumstance change I will look at it again.
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