Dart 15 Forums

Nigel (potential new member) wrote:

Dear All

Although I have a Prindle 18-2 I rarely get a crew (I can't be trusted in winds over Force3!!), so to solve my problem I have gone solo...!

I've just bought a D15, sail number 198. Does that mean it was made by Panthercraft, & if so did laser make any changes to production that would effect weight, performance etc? (I don't have the dart logo on my sail - its an asterix / star)

I raced at my club last week & nearly lapped a D16; I was in Sprint mode, the D16 was main & jib with a helm & crew (still spint mode??). As such I am not complaining about performance, I am wondering whether Panthercraft boats are disadvantaged against newer laser made ones.

My hope is that they are the same boat, apart from the sails, & even then old ones work better in certain wind strengths.


Nigel Trinder E Mail = post.box@concert-visp.com

Bob replied:

Hi Nigel,
Congratulations! You are now the owner of a Dart 15. In the early days it was marketed as a single sail boat called the Spark (hence the asterisk on the sail) and was (like the Dart 18 and Stampede) made and marketed by Panthercraft. This was before the Laser Centre progressively took over the marketing and subsequently the manufacture.
Provided your boat has 4 hatch covers (2 big and 2 small) it is identical to today's boats. The jib was added later (1988) but it sounds like yours has already been upgraded.
We are a pretty strict one design class and do not allow changes which affect the basic performance of the boat. Thus old boats remain competitive throughout their lives and also retain their value very well.
Anyway now that you have bought one you should try and come to one or two of our open meetings to meet the fleet and see how much better we are (hopefully) than the Dart 16 sailors.
Hope to meet you soon.
Regards
Bob Carter

Keith in Hong Kong replied:

Bob in his element...wind him...watch him go....!!

Keith

Bob replied:

Hey Keith, cheeky sod. Another magazine deadline threatens - where is your contribution?
Cheers
Bob

Keith in hiding replied:

Errrrrmmmm...........I've handed over the mantle to Keith Bartlett....

Bye

Martin Holmes replied:

Bob,

How do I go about advertising my Dart 15. Feel that its time I moved up to a newer boat

Martin
Tel ; Home 01223 837401

Jonathan replied:

Martin,

Just email Bob or myself with the details, and we'll add it
to the website and magazine list.

Jonathan.

Bob replied:

Hey Keith, you have been promising us for nearly a year. You cannot rat out at this stage. You need to do the article that goes with the pictures you sent. I'm sure that Keith Bartlett will do a sequel in due couse and straighten out the details. Meanwhile I'm off to Swanage.
Cheers, Bob

Keith going undergorund replied:

Bob

Whats the dealine that I have to miss this time?

Keith #1

Bob replied:

Hi Keith
We need it by 5 May, please.
Thanks
Bob

Keith in anticipation replied:

Jees...

You don't ask for much do you...we'll see eh!

Keith

Bob replied:

Keith, This should be a piece of cake to a man of your calibre. We do not need a great long article. You have had many months to contemplate it.
Cheers
Bob

Bob replied:

Crumbs Keith, just one week to go. How's the article coming on?
Cheers
Bob

Bob replied:

Hi Keith - how is our article coming on? We NEED it soon!
Thanks
Bob

Stefan replied:

how do i get parts for my spark 15?

shauswirth@hotmail.com