Daring Information, Review, Specs

The Daring's story begins in 1960 with its initial production by Halmatic Ltd., a pioneering British company renowned for its expertise in fiberglass construction. Halmatic, founded by Patrick de Laszlo in 1952, quickly established itself as a leader in Glass Reinforced Plastic (GRP) molding, collaborating with esteemed designers like Uffa Fox on early fiberglass boats. Their ethos centered on creating robust, durable, and seaworthy hulls by expertly translating naval architects' visions into high-quality GRP structures. The first 16 hulls of the Daring were built by Halmatic, showcasing their ability to produce consistent and strong composite vessels.

Arthur Robb's design philosophy for the Daring emphasized a narrow profile, flat sheeting, and elegant ends, aiming for a yacht capable of performing well in a variety of conditions. The rig, modest for the hull size, features a high-aspect main. While Halmatic initiated production, the Daring's manufacturing journey continued with Island Builders (hulls 16-25) from 1970-1974, and later by Souters (hull 26 onwards) from 1984-1992, with approximately 30 units built in total, 6]. In 2008, a new hull mold was commissioned, maintaining the original lines but incorporating a redesigned ergonomic deck and cockpit to enhance crew comfort and modern appeal while preserving the class's competitive spirit.

Sailing Performance and Handling

The Daring, with its 32.5-foot length overall and 23-foot waterline, exhibits characteristics of a responsive and capable sailboat. Its sail area to displacement ratio (SA/D) of approximately 20.0 suggests good performance, especially in lighter air, indicating that the boat can be easily driven SA/D Calculation. Furthermore, its displacement to length ratio (D/L) of around 150.4 classifies it as a lighter, more performance-oriented vessel for its size D/L Calculation. These ratios point to a boat that is relatively agile and can maintain competitive speeds.

Anecdotal evidence and class reputation suggest that the Daring is a well-balanced and easy-to-handle boat, particularly valued in its one-design racing circuit in Cowes. Its design, derived from an Olympic medal-winning 5.5-meter yacht, implies a focus on precise handling and responsiveness. While specific details on its behavior in various sea states are not extensively documented in available public reviews, its long-standing presence as a competitive one-design class indicates a design that provides satisfying sailing performance for enthusiasts.

Accommodations and Layout

Information regarding the specific interior accommodations and layout of the Halmatic Daring is limited in the provided data and readily available public search results. The Daring class, being primarily a one-design racing keelboat, traditionally prioritizes performance and cockpit ergonomics over extensive cruising amenities. While newer iterations in 2008 featured a redesigned ergonomic deck and cockpit for improved crew comfort, detailed descriptions or diagrams of the interior living spaces for earlier models are scarce. It is likely that the original Halmatic-built Darings would have featured a relatively spartan interior, consistent with their racing pedigree and the design trends of the 1960s for such vessels. While the Daring, like many racing keelboats, might offer basic amenities suitable for day sailing or short overnight stays, extensive features such as full galleys or multiple cabins are not its primary focus. The emphasis remains on a functional layout to support racing and sailing performance.