Catamaran advice please

T

targa31

Well-Known Member
Joined
15 Apr 2007
Messages
114
Visit site
Hi all,

looking for advice on choice of catamaran for the Solent Please.

around 16-18 ft.

will keep at one of the dinghy sailing clubs.

for use by 1 or 2 adults. (Youthful!!)

have basic qualifications and knowledge but not much experience.

upto £2000 so not new.

many thanks in advance
 
Dart 18, can be sailed and raced either singlehanded, or 2 up.

Whatever happens, don't but a Hobie 16, they are unsafe at any speed.

Weston or Netley in Southampton water are both slightly flatter water clubs to get used to, than Solent proper, which can be a bit choppy.
 
Hi Targa. If you want to stir things up on this site, the question you should have asked is "Should I buy a catamaran or a monohull....."

FWIW, the Dart 18 is a great shout, as is the advice about Netley and Weston.
 
thanks all, Dart 18 sounds like a popular choice.

Other than general condition does age matter too much? Has the design changed? There are several for sale local to the Solent but none seem to state the age?
 
Find the highest sail number / latest you can. The design has not changed at all BUT early ones were a bit hit or miss construction quality, and all boats are one bad owner away from irreversible decline. Windsport can advise you, as can the class association. Buy the newest you can afford, it will be easier to sell again.

If you get hooked, you will likely want to move on to a faster boat in a couple of years, either F18 if you prefer double handed, or A Class if singlehanded, or Sprint 15 if you don't take to helming from the wire. the Dart 18 is a great starter cat.

Every year at my club, we get a couple of dreamers turning up with a Hobie 16. They try to sail it a couple of times, then abandon it, and the sport. Good warm water boats.
 
targa31 said:
thanks all, Dart 18 sounds like a popular choice.

Other than general condition does age matter too much? Has the design changed? There are several for sale local to the Solent but none seem to state the age?
Click to expand...

Age doesn’t seem to be an issue with Dart 18, provided well maintained and in good condition. Pretty much unchanged as far as I know. My brother wins a lot of club fleet races in an ancient but carefully maintained Dart cat.
The shape of the hulls mean they can get chipped badly under the moulded fin, the bottom of the transoms and the bottom of the bows. Basically strong, but if mistreated there will be botched repairs there.
 
Thanks all for the advice. Any thoughts on the Dart 16 seen a couple up for sale? Is that only a single handed?
 
The 16 is a good teaching boat, heavy, solid, and dependable. But they can't get out of their own way upwind, so never formed a racing fleet. In an 18, you can race handicap, one design, there is a class to join and learn from. There is a support network. With a 16, you can just go out and reach around.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top