Design and Construction
The Dart 16 measures 15.75 feet overall, with a 7.55-foot beam and a light 276-pound displacement. Its hulls are molded from Tecrothene, a thermoplastic described as highly resistant to impacts and scratches but somewhat heavier and more difficult to repair than fiberglass.
That trade-off shapes the boat’s character. It’s a beach cat that can be hauled onto shingle without undue concern, though repairing a crack takes more workshop effort than fixing a polyester lay-up. The lower hulls have skegs typical of a beach catamaran. There are no daggerboards; the boat relies instead on its hull form and skegs for lateral resistance.
With a capsize ratio of 4.64 and a sail-area-to-displacement ratio near 55.86, the Dart 16 is clearly tuned for lively performance rather than passive stability.
Rig and Handling
The Dart 16 carries remarkably little hardware. Its rig consists of a rotating, aerodynamically shaped aluminum mast supported by a forestay and two shroud wires, without spreaders or complicated trimming mechanisms.
The fully battened mainsail is unusual in having no boom. A ball-bearing block system controls it through a mainsheet with 6:1 mechanical advantage, a ratchet, and a jamming cleat. The crew has a trapeze, while an optional gennaker adds more downwind power.
Kick-up rudders similar to those on the Hobie 16 complete a package designed for quick rigging and forgiving beach launches. A Portsmouth Yardstick of 863 gives the boat credible standing in club competition.
Crew and Sail Plan
This is a two-person beach catamaran, not a yacht with accommodations. It has a stated crew of two and no enclosed space; the focus is daylight speed and simplicity rather than cruising shelter.
The main and jib provide 148 square feet of total sail area. With the gennaker option, the spinnaker measures roughly 124 square feet. That is the full extent of the Dart 16’s “interior” conversation: open air, trapeze wire, and tiller extension.
Known Issues
The single material caveat is that Tecrothene hulls are more difficult to repair than fiberglass. This is a practical ownership consideration rather than a defect.
Refits and Ownership
Ownership largely comes down to keeping the minimal rig in good order. The rotating mast, trapeze, and ball-bearing mainsheet are the main wear points. With no daggerboards or boom, there’s little to upgrade beyond adding the optional gennaker and maintaining the kick-up rudder pivots.
The thermoplastic hulls resist scratches, but careful ground handling still pays. Neglect that leads to damage means a more difficult repair.
The Verdict
The Dart 16 Race is a purist’s beach cat: light, quick, and almost defiantly simple. It trades fiberglass’s easier repairs for hulls that shrug off impacts. It suits sailors who value a low-hassle trip from ramp to racecourse more than creature comforts or extensive tuning options.
Pros
- Impact- and scratch-resistant Tecrothene hulls suited to beach use
- Boomless, fully battened mainsail with a 6:1 ball-bearing mainsheet
- No spreaders or complicated trimming gear
- Quick to rig and launch
- Credible one-design racing, with a Portsmouth Yardstick of 863
Cons
- Tecrothene is heavier and harder to repair than fiberglass
- No daggerboards
- No enclosed accommodations; intended for day use only
