Dart 15 Forums

Chris wrote:

You don't see these very often. In fact - it's my first(!)
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/DART-15-STING-CAT ... 7198524089

Thanks to this previous post on the forum / faq, it answered all my questions of "what is it?"
http://www.dart15.com/faq/forum004.php

I'm only 9 stone, and I don't think I'd have much fun pulling this one outta the water! Still looking for a boat though, have just sold my aged Wanderer and now have cash in hand...

Anyone selling for about ?2-3.5k?

Chris.

Bob replied:

Hi Chris
Look under Buy & Sell on this website. There are several in your price range. 1935 is probably quite a good buy if you don't mind the trip to the Isle of Wight- I see Laurie has just dropped the price. If you ask him nicely he might arrange to sail it across to Lepe Country park.
Best of Luck
Bob Carter

Bob replied:

Chris, I had a look at the Sting on EBay. It looks like quite a good one but common with all examples I have seen in the last few years it has not got the proper Sting mainsail. The Sting Mailnsail was a mylar radial cut sail and they all seem to have time expired (fallen apart). The Dart 15 / Sprint 15 uses Dacron sails and there are many of the old boats sailing around with the original sails after more than 25 years. The sail on this Sting will invalidate the boat from being used for any form of racing as it is not "in Class". This Sting is only suitable for fun sailing by a heavyweight or somewhere were there is rescue close at hand (due to the problem with righting it single handed).
You did well to steer clear of it.
Regards
Bob
PS. The best use would be to break it down for spares for a needy Dart 15 (rudders, trampoline, etc)

Duncan Ford replied:

I had Sting sail no.1235 for 10 years from new, and loved it. (had a spark for 2 years before that) As Bob says, the mylar main did wear out and I got a new one from Brian Phipps (unused ex demo). I had the old one cut down to the reefing point and used it in a blow.
Great boat and a pity it didn't catch on here but, again as Bob says, it was not possible to right single handed due to the Dart 18 section heavy mast, and I finally gave up before I got into trouble. I got to the point of not sailing because I was afraid of the conditions. No point!
Still miss it though! However, went back to a standard 15 and feel more comfortable. Never regretted the change back.
Duncan Ford