Looking for my first Catamaran and have come down to one of the Darts.

I think I would prefer the 18 as it seems to have a better following than the 16 but is it suitable for singlehanding (I weigh 14 stone) I am not an expert by any stretch of the imagination, having sailed wayfarers and more recently a Laser Vago, I am currently learning to go out on the wire. Is the Dart 18 beyond my experience

Thanks in advance
Neil

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I went through the same process 2 years ago [but weigh 15stone] and bought an 18. It is easy to control and fun in most conditions, with the smaller Darts [15 and 16] too small. One up on the wire works pretty well but you will get a few bruises.
It can also be righted one up but I always have a righting line available just in case.

Good luck and where do you hope to sail?

Henry

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Thanks for that Henry, one more question, its a long mast how easy is it to put up on your own and whats the technique
Neil

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Hi, There are a few helpful tricks if you are raising the mast on your own.
1) Set the mast up as if normal with shrouds attached and mast pin in.
2) attach the trapeze wires to the elastics as you will not be using these any way and it will stop them catching
3) Check the wires are all laying over the tramp and not under the hull etc
4) If you can have the mast tip sitting on your trailer mast support at the rear of the boat , that way it is already off the horizontal.
5) Have the boat positioned so the mast is being blown up by the wind and or wants to lean forward when the shrouds take the strain that way you can connect the forstay and windwand without having to keep tension on the mast.
6) Raise the mast by standing on the back of the trampoline and guiding it forward.
That's it, don,t forget to remove the pin.
Brian Windsport

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Hi Neil,

I'm a lightweight at just over 13 stone - & find the '18 great fun single-handed even in a fair breeze!

Being mildly competetive it is also great to be able to race on pretty level terms when I have no crew - though you do lose out a bit downwind especially in light to moderate conditions.

The '18 is fairly forgiving of mistakes 1-up - my only swims have been when I've failed to uncleat the main when tacking. Righting is certainly possible solo - though it did take some time when the breeze went light & gave no lift under the main!

Go on i give it a go

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