Statement by Ian Fraser – 04/01/2009 with reference to ‘chat’ on the internet.
Bryher Mouldings Ltd. was formed circa 1976 to hold the copyright and licensing rights to the Dart range of catamarans. Bryher is now solely owned by myself and holds all the copyrights to the Dart18.
Panthercraft Ltd., formed in 1969, was the original company licensed to build Dart18s and that company was owned by myself and Kim Stephens. Panthercraft was subsequently sold circa 1989 to PSC and thus held the license to build and sell Dart18s.
Performance Sailcraft (PSC) has now surrendered the licence to build and market Dart18 Worldwide except for South Africa where a separate licence has been in force since the early 1980s.
Bryher is now in the situation where it has to re-organise the supply of spares to the existing fleet and to get new boats built. In other words I am accepting the challenge of re-establishing Dart18 in the market place.

I am now undertaking an appraisal of the current situation and in consultation with the Class try to ensure we get the supply of new Darts and certain spares back on track. If I am to be involved again then certain things are going to be done as they used to be done when Kim Stephens and I were last in charge. It is going to take a while to get things back on track but I won’t be rushed.
I have visited the current builders in South Africa and have a first hand account of what their aims and ambitions are. They are fully supporting my efforts but nothing has been confirmed yet until I have more facts and figures. I am fully aware and thoroughly briefed on the quality problems associated with new boats last year. Chris Tunstall at PSC regularly consulted me on the issues.
In the short term spares and new boats (if they get built) will pass through my hands and certified by me that they are up to standard, my standard. This may take some time and may add to the cost but until we can get the quality under control we don’t have a hope in moving forward.

I have to move quickly on the spares front and to this end I am appointing Windsport and Brian Phipps to be the licensed dealer for Europe and it will be his challenge to re-asses the needs of the class in UK and the rest of the continent. I have known and worked with Brian for over 25 years and that coupled with the fact that he operates only 10 minutes away from me means that I can look after the quality control myself. Windsport is now working with me and other interested parties to continue and improve the service to the customers, dealers and the class.

During this initial transition period all "Dart Parts" will be available via the Windsport Catparts Website www.catparts.windsport.co.uk along with technical support.
It is our intention to work alongside the IDA, National Dart Class Associations and dealer network to ensure the Dart 18 will continue stronger and better equipped for the future. It is my intention to ensure the survival and continued prosperity of the class; there is still nothing to beat it.
I am perfectly happy to answer emails from interested parties but would like to avoid protracted arguments on the pages of the internet.
I have a lot of my life tied up in Dart and am saddened but challenged by the current situation. Some of it can be laid at my door but to a large extent I was not directly responsible for the control of the product. I am going to be responsible now so let’s get it right before I have to retire!
Dart #1 is in the National Maritime Museum and my wife thinks I should be there as well.
Ian Fraser
Director, manager, secretary and coffee maker – Bryher Mouldings.