Just sold my compac 19. Enjoyed it but a little to ho hum -

I'm looking at a Dart 18 Any advice or things to look for?

I had a Hobie 16 years ago-

Owner isn't sure what year it is?

Should these boats have titles?

Thanks

Hi I live and sail in Britain and have sailed dart18 for 15 years great boat but a bit dated now. no genni as the add on one they made for it really did not work well I've just moved on to a spitfire. twin trappeze and a genni but geared to the same weight range as the dart, it's fantastic

Thanks- I lookin at $1,000 with a trailer everything looks solid a little caulky on the finish. All the hardware is in good shape. I look at the sails and trampoline tomarrow-

If their in good shape I'll probably close the deal-

It's for me & my two ten year olds- any other input is appreciated-

I'm not really a purest just want to get out on the water with the kids & have fun-

Title requirements vary from US state to US state (I assume that you are in the US). Here in S.C., we do not have to title an unmotorized boat under 21' in length.

I thought under 16' in Fl no motor it needed no title-?

I noticed it was last registered in Hawaii. Owner is military on one of the local bases.

Look at the inside of the mast base. They have a wear plate that may need replacing.

make sure the mast is strait.

Look at the bows, They have foam blocks which stiffen the bows. If they have broken free then you will see fine spider webs in the gel coat.

Check the skeg for excessive wear from being dragged on rocks or the beach... they are not hobie tough.

Look at the Hook at the top of the mast and the the halyard ring will wear making it difficult to drop the sail.

Make sure the rudders work properly and lock down. Look at the main bolt and the sholder washers in each rudder.

Examine the gudgeons and look for leaks inside the hull... it causes the glass to break down and more leaks.

The hatch covers rot in the sun and are hard to find. replacing them is straitforward with another porthole and 5200

The foot loops rot away in the sun. vacumn hosing and long rivets are easy repairs.

The orginal equipment Tye blocks work but not real well. Most folks upgraded to harken blocks for the main and jib.

check the tiller bar as it fits over the pins on the rudder tillers, the holes will open with wear and make the helm sloppy.

The stock tiller extension is not adjustable, the Hobie hotsticks work well but are heavy. Alu sticks from Murrays are nice but bend if you fall on it.

The Dart tramps are the best... the US made Sunrise tramps are OK.

Pull the rat battens and look at the ends where they insert into the batten pockets. They usually break there. Look at the batten pockets, make sure all of the screws are in and the sail cloth is not torn.

The battens are really crap... you might be able to replace them from Sailsports ltd in Conneticut or directly from Dart in the UK.

Elbow grease will bring out the gel coat and make the boat shine.

You don't need double traps to sail the boat in any breeze under 25 or 30. ... with two boys... you need double traps to keep them both happy.

1000 bucks with the trailer is a good price IMO.

Find Terry Fondrick in the Tampa area ...TBCS. He has had Dart longer then I and can give you some more advice.

Should be great Fun.
Good Luck and Take Care
Mark

Mark, you know your Dart 18 !
The foam block run from the bow to the mainbeam, halfway between the deck and the keel. By slapping gently with your flat hands, one on either side of the hull, you can feel if the hull skin slaps against the foam. It will do this if it has broken free. The hull is very thin in this area and the foam keeps it stiff. It does not happen often, but I have seen hulls flapping like cardboard.
The standard glassfibre battens break easily and can damage the mainsail and a new set costs stg£146.00 for a set. I would buy foam battens locally.
Check out www.lasersailing.com and www.dart18.com (tech/talk - buying a used Dart)
Dermot.

Hmmmm-

Ok a list to take to the final inspection--

1. the access holes need to be replaced they were taped over

2. some of the foam had broken loose & you could see small pieces of it- the access holes were taped over-(I didn't know to check where hull bonds to it though- is seeing it in the stern of the bildge a sign it's separating?

The long list makes me paranoid. I get the impression this guy has not used the boat alot-

Maybe he did some horse trading for it with those coming through the base?


but if hull is not rigid, separating from the foam? it's a basket case?

The foam that you see through the hull ports is not what we are talking about. That's just flotation. it used to be glued to the underside of the deck and breaks loose when you pull out water bottles etc etc. Check the bows if they are good the boat will last another 5 years. Mines an 87 and I still enjoy it.

The rest of those items are wear and tear kinds of things... Maintenance you would normally have to keep on top of.... check the Dart site. Lots of good information there. I do not want to discourage you... (You asked what to look for)

Hell... if the trailer is in decent shape that alone is worth a couple of hundred bucks. They are increasingly hard to find these days and spending 1200 hundred for a new trailer for an old boat is just crazy!

There are a couple of Dart people in the Tampa Area that you could contact for a second opinion if you are worried.

Search this forum for Dart info... I believe Eric Anderson posted some tips of what to look for as well.

Good luck
Mark

Well she's in my yard-

Went by to see Stu this Am & he was very helpful

Went over the whole boat again & well

except for needing a new eye in one of the stays She's ready to float so mayby this weekend if the wind calms down-

I remember when I used to love to go out in this stuff but being green I'll start out slow

Thanks All

It might be worth checking the last time the rigging was changed - it was only good for about 4 years last time I had a Dart 18 - I am a little carefull with rigging as my mast efell down on my Dart 18 when I was in 4th place at a nationals race

You said it had a caulky finish:

Borrow or rent a commercial auto buffer. Buy a gallon of medium grade auto rubbing compound and go to it. Within a few hours, you should be able to buff up that gelcoat to a nice finish. Be careful you don't stay in one spot too long because it's possible to go through the gelcoat and down to the matting. Seal it with a nice, hard Marine silicone wax.

Wyatt

Went to see Stu today & he fixed me up with a couple of new stays-

The access covers at the rear are wasted. Replace with orignal design or upgrade to newer type that will hold the bag?

If you are planning to do any "Dart Class" racing then you will need the same as. If not I would upgrade.

Stu of Ellies Sailing Shop will not steer you wrong. He is a Darter and is doing his Mono thing (DS) on Saturday which he is one of the best.

Saturday Judy and I are running the TBCSI Macho Man. Should be a lor of war stories at Eddies that evening.

Bring down your boat Sunday, Stu will be helping me set the marks for the TBCSI Mini Macho Man. It should be a blast great weather and I should have 3 courses set up. The Dart would be in the shorter course of about 20 Miles, all close to some land. If your not ready to race yet just stop by and see all the action. Sun, 80 F, winds 10-15 out of the north. The big boys will be screaming and there are some great spectator spots. http://www.tampabaycatsailors.com/MachoMan-NOR2005.pdf

Terry Fondrk