Print Page | Close Window

Rare sailing dinghy

Printed From: Yachts and Yachting Online
Category: General
Forum Name: How old is your boat?
Forum Discription: Antiques or brand new... tell us here!
URL: http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=3393
Printed Date: 28 Mar 24 at 9:08am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.665y - http://www.webwizforums.com


Topic: Rare sailing dinghy
Posted By: marktheherald
Subject: Rare sailing dinghy
Date Posted: 14 Sep 07 at 7:04pm
Hi, I am chasing shadows here, but I am looking for anyone with knowledge, memories or experience of a 60s dinghy called a Dart. (No connection to the current Dart type). It was designed by Trevor Kirby Assoc R.I.N.A, who also did the Wineglass dinghy. Built by Kirby Marine & Industrial Plastics Ltd of Canterbury, it is of GRP/ply construction, 14ft LOA, 5ft beam with a mono sail area of 100sq/ft on an unstayed wooden bendy mast. I purchased mine about 14yrs ago as a basket-case from a young member of a Shoreham (Sussex) sailing club. It had been neglected and I set about putting her back into commission. A lot of this was guesswork, as there was no rudder or centreboard! The hull was/is in excellant condition, but the ply was 'shot'. With no other Dart to draw experience from, I like to think I made a pretty good job of resurrection! She was fast and exhilarating. However she now needs another restoration as the ply I used the first time was not good quality, Oops!  I would like to get her right this time which is where this post comes in. Other info; my sail No. is 7. The designer, Trevor Kirby was last heard of in Canada, and the Dart appears in an unknown Dinghy info book on page 332/3.(I have a photocopy!)  So, any info gratefully received!   



Replies:
Posted By: neilw
Date Posted: 14 Sep 07 at 8:06pm

I have a photo of a Dart from a copy of Light Craft used in last year's CVRDA quiz

 

.

I'll have to search around to find the original article and find the scanner.......



Posted By: marktheherald
Date Posted: 15 Sep 07 at 7:29pm
Now I'm totally confused! Whilst I can see definite similarities in the hull shape at the stern, the cockpit is completely different! The whole hull and cockpit appears to be a moulded assembly. Mine is a GRP hull and all the rest is timber. I have a raised centreboard case that runs from about 2ft aft of the mast where there is a bulkhead back to the closed transom, this photo shows an open transom! Could this be a later development of the type? I would be interested to know the sail no. of this one! I will also try to scan some photos and post them here. I'm really impressed to get such a positive response! Thanks, Mark


Posted By: Lukepiewalker
Date Posted: 15 Sep 07 at 7:36pm
I'm guessing that's a different boat. It's got shrouds.


Posted By: marktheherald
Date Posted: 15 Sep 07 at 8:23pm
I'm a bit of a novice where dinghies are concerned, is it possible to have short shrouds with a bendy mast? The mast also rotates, so I assumed that shrouds were a non-starter? If this is not the case, this would also change my 'unstayed' mast situation. As I said originally, this was a 'basket-case' and also incomplete. There are several points on the mast where fittings have been removed, This all whets my appetite for more info.  The hull shape at the transom is identical to mine. 


Posted By: Lukepiewalker
Date Posted: 15 Sep 07 at 10:01pm
Of course, that which I think is a shroud could be something else in the background..... 


Posted By: rogerd
Date Posted: 16 Sep 07 at 5:30pm

Mark can you post a picture of your boat on http://www.cvrda.org - www.cvrda.org  there are some very knowledgable people there and loads of advice etc.



Posted By: marktheherald
Date Posted: 18 Sep 07 at 6:25pm
I dug out my old photos of the Dart, and they are way too poor quality for posting. So I;ll be doing some digital ones this weekend. Memory can play strange tricks; I could swear my sail no. was 7,.... my photos say 4 !!!  


Posted By: marktheherald
Date Posted: 28 Sep 07 at 6:15pm
I have downloaded photos onto the cvrda website, interesting info is appearing!



Print Page | Close Window

Bulletin Board Software by Web Wiz Forums® version 9.665y - http://www.webwizforums.com
Copyright ©2001-2010 Web Wiz - http://www.webwizguide.com