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lostatsea View Drop Down
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Posts: 31 		Post Options Post Options   Quote lostatsea Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Catamaran Selection
    Posted: 16 Sep 06 at 10:16am
Hi, thanks for all the input. The Hawk I am looking at has the Spinnaker Chute and self tacking jib plus two sets of sales, new trampoline etc so it looks quite good, however I see your point about the hurricanes. Are you saying it is impossible to get new sails for the Hawk?.  I read a yachts and yachting review of the Hawk and it came out really good saying that it was poweful but forgiving and easy to sail. Does anyone know how the Hawk compares with the Hurricane?. All help if greatly appreciated.
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Dermot M View Drop Down
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Posts: 59 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Dermot M Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Sep 06 at 10:54am

I sailed the Hawk against Hurricanes for about 6 years, before I got the Spitfire. Some of the Hurricanes in those days had spinnakers, but not the SX kit, which performs really well and looks good also.
Upwind the Hawk had the same speed, but pointed higher because of its daggerboards - especially as the wind strength rose. I think that it feels more responsive than the Hurricane - which seems to get into a grove and just drive along. (I have only sailed the Hurricane a few times). Because most of the Hurricanes did not have spinnakers then, we almost always beat them downwind. Having sailed against Tigers, (but not on one) I always felt that the Hawk was more forgiving. Many times I have seen Tigers pitchpoling close to me when I felt completely in control. The Hawk was not developed, because Laser (and Reg) did not think that, financially, it was worthwhile getting into a war with Hobie.
I still think that an upgraded Hawk is a very good buy at that price, and a very cheap way of getting into F18.
I would also say that if there is a Hurricane fleet at a Club near you, it is always best to sail the same cat as those around you. You will learn quicker.
You probably are a bit heavy for the Spitfire. 

P.S. There are still many Hawks in the UK and Holland. You can still get sails.



Edited by Dermot M
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lostatsea View Drop Down
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Posts: 31 		Post Options Post Options   Quote lostatsea Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Sep 06 at 4:36pm
Thanks for your input. Had a look at the Hawk, it was in excellent condition, brand new tramp, new rigging, immaculate Mainsail plus a spare main that still looks fine. Also had trailer, big wheel launch, self tacking jib and two spinnakers with carbon chute, no damage to hulls either on top or underneath. Hence, against most peoples advice on here I ended up buying it. Hope I have done the right thing but it looked to good to leave there, plus the guy is going to give me some lessons on how to sail it. If anyone has any reviews or knows where there is any further information on the Dart Hawk I would ne grateful. Anyway thanks all.
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Worthy View Drop Down
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Posts: 511 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Worthy Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Sep 06 at 5:54pm
Enjoy your new boat and hope to see you on the F18 circuit some time soon.  Grafham cat open is on 21-22 October if you are interested.

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Dermot M View Drop Down
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Posts: 59 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Dermot M Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Sep 06 at 9:58pm
Congratulations  I think that you will really enjoy your Hawk ! I moved to it from a Dart 18 and found it very controlable.
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lostatsea View Drop Down
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Posts: 31 		Post Options Post Options   Quote lostatsea Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Sep 06 at 10:59pm
Don't think we will be up to competing at Grafton for a while yet!!. Just hope we can cope with the daggerboards. Anyone know what the PYN number is for the Dart hawk?. Funny but although it was manufactured by Laser/Dart they seem to have no mention of it on any of there web sites.
I see you say the Hawk was dropped because they did not wan't a war with Hobie. Which hobie was it competing with? and was the Hobie that much better that Laser had to drop the Hawk?.
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Scooby_simon View Drop Down
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Posts: 2415 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Scooby_simon Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 Sep 06 at 12:13am

Originally posted by lostatsea

Don't think we will be up to competing at Grafton for a while yet!!. Just hope we can cope with the daggerboards. Anyone know what the PYN number is for the Dart hawk?. Funny but although it was manufactured by Laser/Dart they seem to have no mention of it on any of there web sites.
I see you say the Hawk was dropped because they did not wan't a war with Hobie. Which hobie was it competing with? and was the Hobie that much better that Laser had to drop the Hawk?.

War was with the Hobie Tiger.  The traditional Laser boats are all one designs, the Hawk fitted into the F18 rules and the F18 box rule has taken off big time.  IMO Laser did not want to get into a "development" class and be forced to constantly pump more money (and time) into the design/development process.

Wanna learn to Ski - PM me..
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Dermot M View Drop Down
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Posts: 59 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Dermot M Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 Sep 06 at 12:39am

Agree withSimon, Hobie were paying top sailors to sail the Tiger and Laser were not prepared to  do same.
PY for Hawk is same as Hurricane 5.9 - 691



Edited by Dermot M
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Posts: 611 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Tornado_ALIVE Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 Sep 06 at 11:04am

Congrats on your F18 purchase.....  DOn't be too worried about your weight, we are racing a Capricorn at 170....  We have trimmed dwon from 184.

Off the breeze in the light winds, the weight can hurt you a bit, but as the wind increases, your disadvantage reduces.

Also, if you are in the need of a good holiday, then Yeppoon Queesland (Australia) could be right up your alley .......  See below

www.formula18alive.com
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