NEED EXPERT OPINIONS ON A CATAMARAN CHOICE

I have the opportunity to purchase one of two catamarans right now and I am looking for some advice.

1. 1980 Sol Cat 18,
Refinished in 2007 with fiberglass reinforcement to the entire hull, new rudders, new standing and running rigging, all new tackle, new battens in not so old sails.
Orange hulls, plenty in hull storage, rainbow sails. With trailer and beach wheels.
$ 2,500







2. 2002 Dart Stampede 20
Lightly used, stored for a few years, first launched in 2005, no signs of wear on hulls or rigging, trapeze still in original bags, sails very fresh, tramp has minor damage will need to be replace in a few seasons, Blue and White hull, white mail, blue jib, no trailer, no beach wheels.
$ 3,000






I need the advice of the sailing community, thank you for your expert opinion.
I would like to email you pictures of both, my email is rod.baker@rectecinc.com

A couple questions....what is you experience and intentions for that boat?

I see that the Dart has no trailer or wheels. If these are things you need, your looking at another grand on top of the asking price.

If you have any intentions of racing, $4,000 could by you any of a number of boats that will not leave you with a member of the "dead boat society" and will open some better opportunities for you.

And just as important:Where are you?
For pleasure sailing both of those would be OK. But it seems like you could get a more current design for around the same money( like Karl said) and have others to race if wanted and a pool of used parts.

Dead Boat Society? Go on? That doesn't sound like a society I want to join? I have fifteen years on Hobie 18 and a few years on Mysteres and Darts, then only sailing large monohulls. My kids are coming up now and I want a family boat for them. I always wanted a Stampede, baddest boat I ever sailed back in the day. But, if $4K will do better the please tell!

I will be sailing off the beach of Indian Rocks, overnighters to Egmont and Anclote, launching off my dock in open water in the intracoastal.

If it's just a choice between those 2 :

The Stampede is a boardless 20 footer. A brilliant catamaran to sail - it is basically a larger Dart 18. I'd go with it over the Sol Cat everytime.

I sailed and raced a Stampede (dart 20) a number of times.
I Loved the dart 18 but think the 20 is not so good. The 20 has all the sail area of a 20 ft catamaran, but none of the sail controls that make things managable in high winds. Ie no good mast rotation control, no good downhaul etc. The boat is a handfull. Because of this it takes 2 large males to make it go in a blow. I would go with a nacra 5.0 or 5.7 if possible for that reason. If you don't want daggerboards.
On the otherhand a dart 18 is a great singlehanded cat.
Eric

I would agree with John. I sail the same basic area as you and you'll like not having to deal with dagger boards. A friend Steve who sails off the Dunedin has one and it's been a good boat to him. Hopefully he sees this and comments. If your sailing off the beach you only need beach wheels.

The Dart is much newer = better.

If these are your only choices.

you are in the clearwater/dunedin area. there is a TheMightyHobie18 for sail posted on the wall at the clearwater sailling center for much less than your cats posted. Are you wanting to get away from the TheMightyHobie18? seems like a decent family/fun/race cat and there are many locals here that sail them.

Do not agree it needs 2 big blokes to sail it.

I raced one in a 24 hour race (2 hour slots for team of 8 over 24 hours).

I was 14. It was windy; I was helming and doing the mainsheet. It was a ball!!!!!

I would agree. I sail a 20ft boat solo regularly. I call it exciting.

Plus if you want to travel distance with gear (camping) bigger is better.

I am partial to the Dart 20. I can sail it solo if it is blowing 20 or less with main & jib. My sails are upgraded to a Tornado Main & Jib. I weigh in at 186 pounds. To depower just furl the jib. I like the simplicity of the boat, no boom, and for the crew nothing is cluttering the deck. If you plan on fun racing the boat is fine to out and race. If you are serious about racing look at a H-16, F-16, F-18, or I-20. If you have any questions please feel free to ask.

I could be completely wrong, but were there many Dart 20s built in the 90s, not to mind after 2000 ? I had a Dart TSX (Dart 20 with hot rig and spinnaker) for a short time in 1990 (Sailed Irish Sea, DunLaoghaire - Holyhead). Also, in Europe anyway, it was not called the Stampede since the late eighties.