Dart 15 Forums

Matthew Bliss wrote:

I am looking to buy a Dart 15 and I have my eye on one which might be for sale in the near future. The only problem is the history of this boat. I have been informed the this particular boat has been involved in a major prang with a prindle. A quick inspection of the boat has reveiled a rather botched job and a major crack in the bow. If I buy this boat the bow will need to be strenghend some how. I am wondering how this can be done. Looking at it the crack it forms a wave shape down from bow to stern up to where the cross beams meet. What sort work needs doing and what will be the probable cost of it.
many thanks in advance,
Matt

Matt replied:

As an engineerer myself That crack is a good sign of delamination. I know roughly how to go about reparing it but I want to stay within the class rules.

Bob replied:

Matt,
I think I would steer clear of it unless you are very capable and the boat is rediculously cheap. If the crunch is serious the deck has to come off and the hull has to be reinforced from inside. This is really for the professionals. Our insurance man, Tim Dieu de Bellefontaine, has lots of contacts for good repairers if you want to consult one before you buy. You can get his address off this web site. Alternatively we have a number of sound secondhand boats in our for sale section.
Cheers
Bob Carter

PS Perhaps I just a pessimist. There is no way I would go to the Southern Oceans in Team Phillips either.

Matt replied:

I have been talking to a few people today and I do believe the boat will be auctioned. My guess is that there would not be many bidders so my guess it would go for silly money. That is my hope. If the hull proves to be a pain to sort out then I could make a killing in breaking it for spares. I will have to find out roughly how many people are interested in the boat. I can name at least one but I could probably pursuade him to do a share on the boat.
Hope I win and then I will see you all on the water,
Matt

Keith in Hong Kong replied:

My suggestion reflects Bob's thoughts.....don't touch it...

IF it is really cheap at auction, then maybe the money saved could buy a second hand hull, if you coasn get one.....but by the sound of it the rest of the gear is probably pretty iffy too.....sails ain't cheap either...maybe sell a kidney or something to get on the water on a 'not so rough' boat.....

For what it ws worth.....

Matthew Bliss replied:

The situation on this boat is complicated. I have been talking other people and have been talked out of buying it. Apparently the gear on board was new and pucker but the starboard hull had been smashed to bits and repaired. I have spoken to the chap who did the repair and he said that he would not touch it for any thing more than ?20. The thing that really put me of it is the chap who owns the boat is asking ?1000 for it. I offered half that and he basicly told me to take a hike. This boat is what I would term a dead horse. This boat has been once written off. There is a disadvantage to this. I am hoping to save four to five grand and buy a Dart but not a 15. The Dart I would like have is infact a 16. The reason is quite simple 16's are faster in single-handed sprint mode than the 15. There are other reasons why I have been tempted into buying this plastic fantastic. Before you say they are harder to right singlehandedly I am going to admit quite openly that in fact I am a lardy boy and have the weight to be able to right one easly.
Many thanks,
Matt