Length: 5.48 metres

Width: 2.28 metres

Mainsail area: 13 m²

Foresail area: 3 m²Â 

One-design class
The Dart 18 is a strict one-design class, with all boats being built and checked in one factory. Strict international class regulations are applicable. The International Sailing Federation (ISAF) has officially recognised the class as an international class. A major advantage of the strict one design is that there is no race to upgrade to new parts and sails etc. all the time. So the best sailor wins! This means that nobody is put to great expense, and the Dart is one of the cheapest competition classes in the Netherlands.

Simplicity
The Dart 18 was designed by Rodney March. An important aspect of the design is its simplicity. It means that the cat can be fully assembled or disassembled in 20 minutes without tools. The designer opted for a symmetrical hull shape, with a long skeg taking over the function of the centreboard. The sail plan consists of a modern battened high aspect sail, which gives high efficiency with a relatively small sail area. A unique feature is the absence of a boom. The trim possibilities are simple, but effective.

Who is it for?
The well-balanced sailing features and the well-planned design make the Dart suitable both for the recreational and the serious competitive sailor. The Dart has one trapeze and may participate in competitions either as a two-man or as a one-man boat (without foresail) under the same handicap. The ideal crew weight (two-man) lies between 120 and 145 kg. The Dart is commonly sailed by mixed teams, so husband and wife, but also able-bodied and disabled/paraplegics. Since only one person is allowed at the trapeze, the helmsman generally remains seated in order to steer and to operate the mainsheet. This therefore means that a sailor who is unable to stand because of a physical handicap is given the opportunity still to be active at competition level.
Sailing characteristics
The Dart holds a very steady course and tacks easily. The long skegs give the Dart excellent luffing sailing characteristics, without the inconvenience and vulnerability of centreboards. The boat is very easy to handle, both with little wind and in heavy weather. Partly because of the sharply defined hull shape, the Dart is rarely affected by the nosedive tendencies feared in the case of catamarans.

See also http://www.dartcat.nl (Dutch)