2024 Dart 18 Nationals: A Twice As Nice Sailing Experience

The Dart 18 is a double-handed, high-performance sailing catamaran that offers an exhilarating and fast-paced experience on the water. This international class is popular with both recreational and competitive sailors, thanks to its unique design and exceptional handling.

Unlike traditional catamarans, the Dart 18 utilizes skegs instead of centerboards, making it ideal for beach sailing and shallow waters. The rigging is lightweight and efficient, with a rotating mast and a trapeze for the crew member to lean out and counterbalance the boat’s heel. This allows for aggressive sailing techniques and a thrilling ride.

The Dart 18 boasts an active racing fleet in South Africa, and the National Championships are a highlight of the sailing calendar. The recent 2024 South African National Championships, held from 29 to 31 March 2024, saw some impressive performances.

The Dart 18 Class National Championships were sailed offshore East London and hosted by the East London Yacht Club (ELYC).

The regatta was sailed in ‘interesting’ conditions with the wind from the west on the first day and mostly steady out of the North East on the last two days with wind speeds ranging from 17 to 28 knots and sea states ranging from flat on the first day to bumpy and large swells of over 2 meters on the last day.

10 Dart 18’s took part, with the eventual National Champions – Shaun Gradwell and Sam Waterson from ELYC – showing the fleet a clean set of heels on seven of the 10 races sailed.

The Top 5 Finishers:

Shaun Gradwell
Wayne De Klerk
Morgan Rusch
Chris Clarke
RJ Green

The International DART 18 Association also holds World Championships every year, with the upcoming 2024 edition set for September in Tarquinia, Italy. If you’re looking for a dynamic and exciting sailing experience, the Dart 18 is definitely a class to consider. Whether you’re a seasoned sailor or just starting out, the Dart 18 offers a unique blend of speed, challenge, and pure enjoyment on the water.

National Race Officer Report and full results: https://ro.straton.org.za/2024-dart-18-national-regatta/

Images:

Day 1: https://straton.org.za/index.php?/category/135
Day 3: https://straton.org.za/index.php?/category/136