Dart 16

what's your location?

hi ryan i am in the uk south east

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!

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

I have seen a 16 for sale here, never spoke with anyone that sailed one though.

the 16 seam very popular with sailing schools and holiday centers make me think i might find i out grow it quickly

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.

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?

I think the 18 is a great choice.

Just want some to come up for sale now Ryan do you sail on a lake on the sea?

I sail mixture of small inland lakes to the big Lake Ontario.

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

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.

hows does the dart 18 keep up with the more modern f18?

Not even close. Apples and oranges though.

no doubt a good starting block

for sure. Don't need to beet the F18's just the other Darts.

and the old hobie 16's we got at the club!!

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

Thanks every one for the advice
just a waiting game now for one to come up for sale locally