Dinghy multihulls: Dart 16

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Dart 16

Printed From: Yachts and Yachting Online
Category: Multihulls
Forum Name: Dinghy multihulls
Forum Discription: For those who prefer two (or more) hulls to one!
URL: http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=12931
Printed Date: 26 Jun 25 at 5:19am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.665y - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: Dart 16

Posted By: Zen Dog
Subject: Dart 16
Date Posted: 07 Dec 17 at 11:56pm

I like Dart 16s. I have sailed them abroad and have enjoyed the experience so I am interested in buying one but first I have a couple of questions that I hope someone can answer.

1. Has the class association folded. The link to the website no longer works and I have failed to receive a reply when I emailed them. I also see that there doesn’t seem to have been national championships for the last couple of years. This seems to suggest that the class is in decline. Is this the case?

2. Can 16s be raced singlehanded with 1 sail on the same handicap as 2 up with both sails?

Thanks.

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The Glory of the Ride

Replies:

Posted By: Phil_1193
Date Posted: 08 Dec 17 at 7:20am

You are better off looking at the Sprint 15 which is the rebranded Dart 15 and seems to have quite a big following in the UK

This is 'generally' sailed singlehanded with or without jib and/or trapeze and iirc there is a published handicap for all options

Posted By: Zen Dog
Date Posted: 08 Dec 17 at 2:07pm

Hmm. I'll look into that option too.
Thanks for the suggestion.

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The Glory of the Ride

Posted By: craiggo
Date Posted: 08 Dec 17 at 9:21pm

The 16 never really made it as a racing class and is consigned to being a great holiday centre catamaran.

If you want a racing cat that's 16ft long I'd look at the Spitfire or if you don't want to trapeze then Dart 18 or as others have said Sprint 15. The latter is a great singlehanded or doublehander with a little crew.

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OK 2129
RS200 411

Posted By: Zen Dog
Date Posted: 09 Dec 17 at 7:41am

Thanks for the spitfire suggestion but there’s no way on earth my missus is going to get onto one of them! I guess I want something that I can sail with family on board but also be able to race singlehanded without having to negotiate a club handicap. The Dart 16 is a great boat and would suit us nicely but, having now looked into them, the Sprint 15’s racing credentials make it an attractive proposition.

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The Glory of the Ride

Posted By: BeenThere
Date Posted: 13 Jan 18 at 2:44pm

The Dart 16 was and probably still is an Ok ish cat for what it was designed for. RS also have a root moulded cat on the market so might be worth a look. The D16 on your own is a very heavy boat - i have been involved with the boat right from the start - Royal and Sun Alliance blue cats that went round the uk!

Build quality can vary with them and the rear beams were the weak point and would crack. Separating the hulls for transport was also a pain, whereas the dart 15 etc etc was a walk in the park! Rudders were also a bit hit and miss, especially if you got a used one from a sailing school. The kick up system worked but too many times and the stern would look a bit worse for wear and the stock would take a hammering especially in the sea, not so bad in freshwater.

Great boat, lots of options and tbh if your looking for a cheapish cat to get you going not too bad, just go and look and look carefully.

Posted By: dave42w
Date Posted: 29 Jan 18 at 7:10pm

Originally posted by Zen Dog

Thanks for the spitfire suggestion but there’s no way on earth my missus is going to get onto one of them! I guess I want something that I can sail with family on board but also be able to race singlehanded without having to negotiate a club handicap. The Dart 16 is a great boat and would suit us nicely but, having now looked into them, the Sprint 15’s racing credentials make it an attractive proposition.

Hi,

My wife and I mostly sail our Sprint 15 together, although not when racing as our combined weight is far too high.

When sailing with a combined weight much over 160kg you do get a fair bit wetter as the trampolene and beams have less clearance.

But we are able to launch and recover easily, even on with steep slipways or beaches. I can get her rigged on my own, even when using our van roofrack instead of the trailer (can't tow a caravan and boat at the same time).

We've only been sailing her for 18 months but have had lots of great day sailing across the Solent, around Falmouth, at Rutland and lots of clubs as part of the travellers series.

Dave