Hi Steve Thanks for the encouragement. My hull took on a lot of water this morning but I spotted it running back out through a small hole in the stern. Its more of a crack than a hole but should be an easy repair. Any tips on what I can used to patch it from the inside - its easy to access through t...

Thanks both for the tips, I'll take a good look at the hulls on the weekend. I'm glad to hear I'm not the only old Spark knocking about, I do get a lot of pleasure from it and regularly beat some of the 16s at Bexhill. I also took it to Wales for the Cardigan Bay regatta this year and attracted a lo...

Hi, I've been sailing Spark 198 most weekends since March 2008 without any problems. Following a particularly spectacular capsize and invert in August my port side hull seems to be taking on a lot of water each time I sail. The hatch seals look OK and the seals around the tiller pins/brackets all lo...

I am towing my Dart 15 for the first time this week between Bexhill and New Quay, Dyfed (for two weeks sailing holiday) and I'm borrowing a Dart 18 trailer for the trip. Can anyone offer advice about how to position the boat on the trailer, tying it down, how to carry the mast (2 piece), whether to ...

Thanks both, I'll give it a go and let you know how I get on. Richard C

Does anyone use skates to protect their hulls and skegs whilst winching their boat. I am sailing at Bexhill where there is a steep soft shigle slope and my trolley wheels tend to drag and dig in (going down as well as up). I have noticed that some of the Dart 16s use plastic drainage pipes and gutte...

I've just had my second sail in Spark 198 and I'm starting to notice that the steering feels heavy, particulalry bearing away from the wind. Also, the boat feels like it wants to head into wind and it takes alot of force on the rudders to bear away. Is this because the mast is raked too far back, no...

Thanks for help your everyone, jib furling now working perfectly.

Can anyone explain how I attach the jib furling control chord to the furling mechanism. My Spark (198) has the furling mechanism but without the control chord attached and the manual doesn't seem to explain how to attach and load it.

Any advice gratefully received.

Thanks
Richard C

My first sail - this was my first time on a cat and my first time helming a dinghy since RYA2 some years ago. Light winds blowing 2-3 and I sailed una-rig (solo with no jib). The boat seemed very quick to power up and start moving and surpisingly manouverable. Within the first couple of hours (with ...

I've just learned all about winching my Dart 15 - the hard way! I had my first sail this week end at Bexhill SC, the beach has a very steep slope of loose shingle so winching is essential. For my first attempt I looped the winch line around the trolley axle and then watched the trolley get dragged u...

I am now the proud owner of Spark 198 which is now lying at Bexhill SC. It was bought from Phil Breeze of Calshot SC on March 8th 2008. Phil bought the boat from Steve Sawford in Spetember 2007, Steve has refurbished it and it is in very good condition for its age. Expect to see it at Stewarby in Ap...

It was the same for me too. Good to meet George Love and Steve Sawford on the stand and looking forward to future events. Thanks.

Does anyone know if Steve Sawford will be on or around the stand on Saturday?

Thanks for the advice and encouragment, well worth knowing about the teach-in at Stewartby, does any know the date? There are a couple of Darts on the buy and sell page - Spark 198 and Dart 1459 which aren't too far from my budget. I'm probably going to buy during March and throw myslef into it at B...