I am looking at an inexpensive 18-20 foot cat. I am looking at the Dart 18 and Hobie 18 because they are both cheep and with sevreal in my area (Toronto). On paper the dart looks underpowered but much lighter. Can anybody comment on the performance of these two cats. cheers.

Hi,
Yes the Dart is much lighter. I don't have the numbers though, but have moved one around a few times. The Dart is also a very good single hander. As for speed, the TheMightyHobie18 will probably be faster upwind due to the dart not having daggerboards. Not sure about speed off the wind.

If you would like a test ride, we have both boats in our club and we are a couple hours east of Toronto.
Dave
http://www.westlakesailingclub.com

I raced the Dart 18 for 10 years (once with 300 other Dart 18s on a start line), many times against the Hobie 18.
The Hobie certainly is a lot heavier than the Dart. The Hobie points closer to the wind, having dagger-boards, except when the wind is force four or higher, then, the Dart can point as high as any cat (well almost).
There is more buoyancy in the bows of the Hobie, less likely to pitchpole. The Dart, with its smaller sail area, is easier to sail solo. There is not a lot of diference in top speed, the Dart, with its fine hulls, is a flier on a close reach in a force 4.
It probably will come down to crew weight, light crew - Dart 18, Heavy - Hobie 18. Cruising, with friends - Hobie 18. Speed when the wind is up - Dart 18.

Portsmouth Yardstick for the Dart 18 rates slower than the Hobie 18 in all wind conditions. You can see the numbers for yourself at http://www.ussailing.org/portsmouth/tables02/tables02mh.asp

Yep
I agree....
The Hobie 18 would probably take more abuse and stand sailing up onto the beach a lot better then a Dart would.

That said... I love my Dart

Mark Schneider
Dart 3845
Tornado

Just had a quick look at that PY site. The numbers for the cats I looked at seem very dodgy. The Hurricane 5.9 is hugely faster than the Hobie 18 and the Hobie has a number of 71.5, almost the same as the Hurricane! Within the SCHRS, Texel and British PY numbers, the Classic Tornado, Dart Hawk and Hurricane 5.9 are either on the same number, or there is a one point diference between them. On the American Py list the Tornado is 63.7, the Hawk is 62.3, and the Hurricane is (71.3)If any of you can find a Hurricane 5.9, buy it and you will win everything on handicap.

Dart 18 145 kg = 320 lbs
Hobie 18 183 kg = 404 lbs

wouter

Don't spend your money yet!!

We spotted that mistake... But... since we don't have any huricane's racing in the US or Canada it has had no effect on racing. It is to be adjusted in the 2003 ratings never the less.

Take Care
Mark