Catsailor.com Dart 16
Posted By: bicrider Dart 16 - 01/13/14 11:12 AM
Not Sure if anybody will be able to help at all but have been looking for a dart 18 for a while now and not had one come up locally with a road trailer for the right price but a dart 16 has
i am 110kg(246lbs) with a crew of similar weight (but he not reliable) so will be single handing sometimes. we have very short steep wave most of the time thats why i like the idea of the dart 18 any help will help
chris
Posted By: Twister Re: Dart 16 - 01/13/14 02:14 PM
what's your location?
Posted By: bicrider Re: Dart 16 - 01/13/14 03:21 PM
hi ryan i am in the uk south east
Posted By: Twister Re: Dart 16 - 01/13/14 04:07 PM
I solo my 18 at a slightly lower weight. Great boat solo or 2-up. Many here for sale here, but Ontario to UK a little far!
Posted By: bicrider Re: Dart 16 - 01/13/14 04:19 PM
yeah i crewed a 18 once really enjoyed it but i know nothing about the dart 16 and there not much unbiased info on the web about it i do think at my weight the 18 is a better bet.
there is not much for sale here there is one local but on trailer selling a bout with out one seam a bit silly but a lot of cats here seam to be with out them
Posted By: Twister Re: Dart 16 - 01/13/14 05:07 PM
I have seen a 16 for sale here, never spoke with anyone that sailed one though.
Posted By: bicrider Re: Dart 16 - 01/13/14 08:04 PM
the 16 seam very popular with sailing schools and holiday centers make me think i might find i out grow it quickly
Posted By: DennisMe Re: Dart 16 - 01/21/14 11:46 AM
At your weight plus crew, get the 18. No question really.
As for outgrowing any cat, I think you only really outgrow a boat once you've outgrown all the competition...
Most of us just get fed up and want new toys at some stage.
Posted By: bicrider Re: Dart 16 - 01/21/14 03:19 PM
hi dennis
going to wait till a an dart 18 comes up locally 2 have come up for sale on the internet this week so far that i could be interested in both over a 6 hour drive a way to far to go if it seen better days u still got the nacra 5.2?
Posted By: Twister Re: Dart 16 - 01/21/14 03:44 PM
I think the 18 is a great choice.
Posted By: bicrider Re: Dart 16 - 01/22/14 10:01 AM
Just want some to come up for sale now Ryan do you sail on a lake on the sea?
Posted By: Twister Re: Dart 16 - 01/22/14 02:30 PM
I sail mixture of small inland lakes to the big Lake Ontario.
Posted By: bicrider Re: Dart 16 - 01/22/14 04:24 PM
Are the dart 18 very popular in Canada? there not that many in the usa tuff market to get into with hobie and nacra i suppose
Posted By: Twister Re: Dart 16 - 01/22/14 06:44 PM
Well there are many around since many were imported during the 80's and 90's. Not many active racing these days though. We have a good group of sailors who love the boat as a versatile one-design and will continue to promote the class. There is a local dealer so parts are not an issue. Usually get 6 boats to local events. Biggest fleets are H16, F18 and A's.
Posted By: bicrider Re: Dart 16 - 01/23/14 07:13 AM
hows does the dart 18 keep up with the more modern f18?
Posted By: Twister Re: Dart 16 - 01/23/14 02:27 PM
Not even close. Apples and oranges though.
Posted By: bicrider Re: Dart 16 - 01/23/14 03:10 PM
no doubt a good starting block
Posted By: Twister Re: Dart 16 - 01/23/14 04:13 PM
for sure. Don't need to beet the F18's just the other Darts.
Posted By: bicrider Re: Dart 16 - 01/24/14 07:24 AM
and the old hobie 16's we got at the club!!
Posted By: DennisMe Re: Dart 16 - 01/26/14 12:56 PM
Yes, I still sail and enjoy the old 5.2. I can take any Dart 18 I ever saw on the water, except in survival conditions when they are sailing two-up and I'm solo. One might yet beat me then... A Hoby 16 two-up with spinn can still whop my a$$ though.
Darts are simple and effective boats though, easy to handle and store. I almost traded my boat in for one with great sails. There's a neat trailer design they tend to use around here where you can break the boat down and it'll be a small package behind the car (probably around 6ft/1.8m wide). Great for towing long distances or through smallish European streets (You know, the Charles Dickens kind).
Dennis
Posted By: bicrider Re: Dart 16 - 01/27/14 09:42 AM
Thanks every one for the advice
just a waiting game now for one to come up for sale locally