Single handing a Dart 18????

   Simple question guys, is it possible (easy?) to single hand a dart
18?  Will I need to use the trapeze?  This is just for fun
sailing, not racing.  Thanks.

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ds797 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 28 Mar 05 Online Status: Offline Posts: 11	Post Options Post Reply Quote ds797 Report Post Quote Reply Topic: Single handing a Dart 18???? Posted: 28 Mar 05 at 3:19pm
	Simple question guys, is it possible (easy?) to single hand a dart 18? Will I need to use the trapeze? This is just for fun sailing, not racing. Thanks.

nathan Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Posting king Joined: 26 Apr 04 Online Status: Offline Posts: 143	Post Options Post Reply Quote nathan Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 28 Mar 05 at 5:06pm
	Definate yes. There is a large group of Dart 18s sailed singlehanded at Rutland (racing). As there are racing they use the trapeze. Edited by nathan

iansmithofotley Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Far too distracted from work Joined: 16 Mar 04 Location: Otley, West Yorkshire Online Status: Offline Posts: 209	Post Options Post Reply Quote iansmithofotley Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 28 Mar 05 at 10:10pm
	Hi ds797, The Dart 18 was designed to be sailed and raced by two people with a mainsail and jib, and by single handers with just a mainsail. If you are only 'pleasure sailing' then you can do what you like. The problem that you will have is that you will struggle if you capsize. The Dart 18 is a big wide boat with a big mainsail and a big heavy mast. I would not recommend that you sail single handed anywhere else but at a sailing club when there is a support boat on duty and the people on duty know what you are doing and where you are. Re-righting a capsized (turtled) Dart 18 is not easy for experienced racing crews. In my experience, the helms that I have seen racing single handed tend to be on the heavy side and they were all very experienced. As a matter of interest the Dart 18 Class Association have a single handed national championship each year. Take a look at their site at http://www.dart18.com/ . Ian (Yorkshire Dales S.C.)