Dart 15 Forums

Frank wrote:

I'm looking for a sailing dinghy without a boom for my 15 year old son because he has a risk of getting a detached retina (in his eye) if he gets a bang to his head. He has already suffered a detached retina twice. I would appreciate if you could give me any information on such a boat and where I might be able to buy one. It could be for 1, 2 or more people, but preferably two. I've heard that the DART has no boom. Would there be a suitable one for my son?

I live in Dublin, Ireland.

Bob replied:

Hi Frank,

You are correct. The Dart range of catamarans have no boom.

The Dart 15 is a predominantly one up boat but can be sailed and raced two up. It is not really suitable for two heavyweights but qute good for say up to 20stone max. My son and I sailed two up for a number of years until he got bored with my helming! Have a look at the pictures etc on this website.

The Dart 18 is a predominantly two up boat but can be sailed and raced one up (say 12++ stone) but it is a handful and very difficult to right from a capsize single handed. It is not really suitable fo sailing single handed without rescue boats being to hand. Have a look at the pictures etc on www.dart18.com

Neither have booms. One word of warning. It is possible to get knocked in the face by the mainsheet block during a heavy wind gybe. This could occur at force 5 plus. It has happened to me once in the 14+ years I have raced a Dart 15 and I sail lot's. It clearly cannot happen to the crew and once a helm develops the correct gybe proceedure it is does not occur.

I suggest that you look at the websites and if you are still interested go and have a look at a boat and see what you think.

I hope this helps

Regards

Bob