Dart 15 Forums

Ben Kitto wrote:

Hi All,
What a useful website - congrats to the webmaster.
I am contemplating getting into cat sailing but have some questions - hopefully someone may help me out with some answers
1. I weigh about 14stone. I want o get out sailing in force 2 upwards - will a 15 be up to this?
2. What are the major differences between a 15 and an 18 ( apart from size !!!?)
3. Will ?1500 get me a reasonable boat? I have no sailing exp except for being a keen windsurfer . What should i look for in a used boat.
Thanks in anticipation
Ben Kitto

Rob Hudson replied:

Hi Ben
As no one has answered you yet, i'll try. (I have a 15, 16 and 18!) The 15 is capable of coping with 14 stone singlehanded in a force 2+, and with main only will go well when you gain experience up to a force 6. It will certainly give you great fun in a 3 or 4. If you are going to sail 2 up with main and jib, you will probably need a reasonably lightweight crew - I find a 5 stone 10 yr old a good complement to my 12.5 stone! The 15 is my 17 yr old daughter's boat - but I sail it when she lets me.
We race the 18 all the time as there is a bigger 18 than 15 fleet at the club. It's a great cat, 2 up or single handed with main only. It is faster, does not have a roller reefing jib, but is a lot heavier to launch and recover on your own. This need not be a problem if you have easy launching, but if you are just starting cat sailing and will be singlehanded, I'd go for a 15.
?1500 will get you a reasonable D15, although they seem to be in short supply at present. There are more 18s on the market, but probably ?2000 would get you as good an 18 as ?1500 for a 15. Look at the various websites, or Yachts and Yachting. Good sailing!

Bob replied:

Hi Ben,We have many Dart 15 sailors of 14 plus stones (our chairman is of that sort of size). The Dart 15 is more flexible than a Dart 18 as it can be sailed single handed, two up, sprinted with a trapeze and jib, and car topped. It is not good for two full sized adults, however, but is great with a parent/child(10-14) and Dad can always go out singled handed when child is not available or bored. So if you are going to sail mostly single handed get a 15 but if you have a regular full sized crew go for an 18. If you want to try one drop me an Email and we will try and get you a ride at a club nearby. ?1500 wil buy about a 10 year old boat but it will be competitive if it is in good order (one design)and it will hold its price well. We have a good list on the web site - 1256 looks a good deal at ?1200 as it has been just reduced in price.
Cheers
Bob Carter