Dart 20 :: Catamaran Sailboats at TheBeachcats.com

Dart 20

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Edchris177

Rank: Chief

Registered: Nov 26, 2009

Last visit: Aug 10, 2024

Posts: 2531
Posted: Dec 01, 2016 - 07:43 AM

QuoteI understand from those here who are more experienced that the boat is underpowered but

Underpowered is a relative term. If you don't weigh 1/2 a metric ton, & sail it solo, you will do just fine in lighter air.
Beat F16's, no, but the fun factor will be just as good. Two Senior chaps, about a mile down the lake,(who raced together in England for decades) regularly sail one.
If the wind is light they take the H16 & Dart 18. When it really starts to blow they double hand the Dart, & it's no slouch, certainly far faster than say, a Getaway. They are also lighter than my N5.7, & quite a bit less than the H18.
A Nacra 5.0 also sits at my dock, & it has also been called underpowered. I do notice however that we flog it into big seas when the neighbors H16 & especially the H17 won't leave the dock.

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Hobie 18 Magnum
Dart 15
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MN3

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Posted: Dec 01, 2016 - 09:03 AM

QuoteI'm intrigued with this boat, its clean simplicity, sort of a blank canvas. How can I power it up to fit my venue (salish sea)

The one i sailed on had a tornado square top (probably a pin top cut down and into a square top) and had a non stock jib (possibly also a tornado) and a furler

this helped heat it up in lighter air
jalex

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Registered: May 08, 2013

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Posted: Dec 01, 2016 - 10:46 AM

Thanks guys, hoping to take a look before the holidays. If I get it just have to decide which boat to get rid of, 3 is a crowd
DamonLinkous

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Registered: Jul 19, 2001

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Posted: Dec 01, 2016 - 04:03 PM

Edchris177 If you look closely at the photo in your Dart 15 album, you can see the clip at the rear beam.

Ed,

Thanks for the info, I'm sure you can tell that picture is from your Dart 15 Album here.
http://www.thebeachcats.c…ictures?g2_itemId=113275

I was going to move that album into the new Dart Catamarans album but can't move it or individual pictures.

If you still have the originals of those photos could you add them inside the Dart 15 album like you did the assembly manual? I've increased the max image size to 1920 pixels on all albums also.

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Damon Linkous
1992 Hobie 18
Memphis, TN

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Edchris177

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Registered: Nov 26, 2009

Last visit: Aug 10, 2024

Posts: 2531
Posted: Dec 01, 2016 - 10:59 PM

QuoteIf you still have the originals of those photos could you add them inside the Dart 15 album like you did the assembly manual?

Done.
I was actively pursuing one of these for those big wind/solo/ dead easy to right from turtle days.
There used to be an active fleet of 18's around London, Ontario & they come up for sale regularly, however I have only seen 2 of the smaller 15's.
I deleted the original album as it is now superfluous.

Edited by Edchris177 on Dec 01, 2016 - 11:05 PM.

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Hobie 18 Magnum
Dart 15
Mystere 6.0XL Sold Was a handful solo
Nacra 5.7
Nacra 5.0
Bombardier Invitation (Now officially DEAD)
Various other Dock cluttering WaterCrap
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DamonLinkous

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Posted: Dec 02, 2016 - 12:34 PM

Edchris177
QuoteIf you still have the originals of those photos could you add them inside the Dart 15 album like you did the assembly manual?

Done.

Thanks Ed!

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Damon Linkous
1992 Hobie 18
Memphis, TN

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boatbore

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Registered: Jul 14, 2015

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Posts: 77
Posted: Dec 02, 2016 - 02:18 PM

"Underpowered is a relative term"

Yes, and comparing the d20 rig to my 5.2 , while the mast is only 18" longer, its E (foot) is substantially longer (don't remember the number) with a much deeper cut. The jib also is much larger . 65 lb heavier So proportionally it seems like it should do well in all conditions. I'll soon find out.

" The one i sailed on had a tornado square top (probably a pin top cut down "

I like that idea, no shortage of used tornado sails. Luckily I have good sails for now

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Dart 20
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MN3

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Registered: Jun 20, 2006

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Posted: Dec 02, 2016 - 07:34 PM

Quote So proportionally it seems like it should do well in all conditions

a stock dart 20 is a dog in light air. i will stand by that statement.
I have sailed a d20 in 2-3.... we were 4 hours or so late for (thanksgiving) dinner.

these boats were designed for north sea action. it's foul weather up there 13 months a year.

conversely ... these boats (stock) can handle a LOT of wind

I have been in 20-45? trapped out a dart18... it was the funnest thing i ever did.... but it was also the one of the wildest thing i ever had done ...

so if you have options (larger sail plan for light air and stock sails for heavy air....) then you may do better in all conditions...
Edchris177

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Posted: Dec 03, 2016 - 10:00 AM

Quoteso if you have options (larger sail plan for light air and stock sails for heavy air....) then you may do better in all conditions...

If you elect to get a larger sail, be very careful with the foot measurement. The boomless rigs can't handle much extra.
I have a couple of factory sails for my 5.7. The larger one quickly goes block-to-block if I hook into the end, (more power)cringle.
IIRC the Dart sails sit quite high, lots of room below it. The N 5.0 sail foot is horizontal, while the 5.7 utilizes a "sweeper" on the bottom. Perhaps that could be added to a Dart sail, for an extra 5-6 sq ft.

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Hobie 18 Magnum
Dart 15
Mystere 6.0XL Sold Was a handful solo
Nacra 5.7
Nacra 5.0
Bombardier Invitation (Now officially DEAD)
Various other Dock cluttering WaterCrap
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catmodding

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Registered: Aug 11, 2010

Last visit: Mar 19, 2018

Posts: 424
Posted: Dec 04, 2016 - 09:20 AM

boatbore
Perhaps a spin pole with something larger is in my future.

Wouldn’t recommend that, I’ve seen Dart 18 masts break (2 so far) due
to experimental spi set ups. The masts are basically straight alu poles,
no diamond, no spreaders. No reinforcement whatsoever.
The Dart 18 & 20 are simply not designed to carry a spi.
When you accidentally release the mainsheet in a gibe with the spi up,
the mast-top just pops above the stay-attachment.

The Dart 20 at our club has a F18 fathead main and a T classic jib as
an upgrade, Its doing quite good in lighter conditions.

Grtz, André

Edited by catmodding on Dec 04, 2016 - 04:41 PM.

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Tornado (80's Reg White)
Prindle 18-2 (sold)
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boatbore

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Registered: Jul 14, 2015

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Posted: Dec 05, 2016 - 11:57 PM

Thanks everyone for the great insight on darts

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Dart 20
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klozhald

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Registered: Apr 19, 2011

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Posted: Dec 07, 2016 - 04:31 PM

Dartman"much like a monocoque race car structure."

Monocoque Bob, really???

Now you're just making up wordz.
You just keep yer UniCock to yourself, Mister!

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Sheet In!
Bob
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Prindle 18-2 #244 "Wakizashi"
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Arizona, USA
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nofearofflying

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Registered: Apr 06, 2008

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Posted: Dec 09, 2016 - 08:30 PM

Nowhave 3 Dart 18 (lost Nacra 5.2 to sandy& lost my nacra5.7 to a n'or Easter), and confirm al Dart observations. Never sailed Dart 20 but sailed side by side and observed when beached next to my Prindle 16 years ago-looked fast but my tornado sailing friends term it a "pig"- I confirm my Dart 18s are slow in light air with our doily size jibs ,but over 15 knots with 2 on board each cat I am more than competitive with much newer Nacra 570 with Mylar sails vs my older Dacron sails. I have tried to utilize modified Hobie 16 jib (which is as big as Dart18 main sail) or Prindle 16 jib on light air days with varied results, always stowing stock jib on board in case wind comes up. skegs really suck when you are schlepping cat up and down beach without cat trax, but taking boat apart is a breeze and 2 people can easily carry a hull once separated from crossbars(old promo tape has hottie helping her man put cat together with seeming ease, but doesn't show them stepping the mast! In my experience need 3 to do that safely.)
JohnES

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Registered: Sep 01, 2002

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Posted: Dec 11, 2016 - 01:32 PM

klozhald
Dartman"much like a monocoque race car structure."

Monocoque Bob, really???

Now you're just making up wordz.
You just keep yer UniCock to yourself, Mister!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monocoque

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John Schwartz
Ventura, CA
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