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Dart 16 Race
Designer: Yves Loday  ·  Builder: Laserperformance.com  ·  First built: 1997
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About the Dart 16 Race

Designed by Yves Loday and first launched in 1997, this lightweight catamaran represents a modern approach to small boat racing and recreational sailing. Built by LaserPerformance using advanced Tecrothene 121 construction, the boat delivers impressive durability while maintaining its remarkably low displacement of just 276 pounds. The fractional sloop rig features a rotating mast system that maximizes sail efficiency across varying wind conditions. With 148 square feet of sail area driving the lightweight platform, the boat achieves an exceptional sail area-to-displacement ratio of 55.92, promising exhilarating performance and quick acceleration. The 7.55-foot beam provides stability for the narrow waterline, while the minimal 1.64-foot draft allows access to shallow waters and easy beach launching. This catamaran excels in coastal waters, small lake racing, and club-level competition sailing. The asymmetric hull design without daggerboards simplifies handling while maintaining good tracking ability. The boat's responsive nature makes it particularly well-suited for sailors transitioning from dinghies to multihull sailing, offering manageable size with genuine catamaran performance characteristics. Its modern construction and proven racing pedigree have made it a respected choice in the small catamaran racing circuit.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 15.75 ft / 4.80 m
Beam 7.55 ft / 2.30 m
Max Draft 1.64 ft / 0.50 m
Displacement 276.00 lb / 125 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 148.00 ft² / 13.75 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Catamaran (no boards/asym.)
Rigging Type Frac. Sloop (Rotating Spar)
Construction Tecrothene 121
Designer Yves Loday
Builder Laserperformance.com
First Built 1997
Associations Dart 16 International Assoc.
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Performance Ratios
SA/Displacement Sail Area to Displacement ratio measures how much sail power a boat has relative to its weight. Higher values mean more performance and speed.
Under 14 — Heavy cruiser, slow14–18 — Cruising sailboat18–22 — Cruiser/racerOver 22 — Performance racer
55.92
Displacement/Length Displacement to Length ratio measures how heavy a boat is relative to its waterline length. Lower values mean a lighter, faster boat.
Under 100 — Ultralight racer100–200 — Light cruiser/racer200–300 — Moderate cruiser300–400 — Heavy cruiserOver 400 — Very heavy
51.35
Comfort Ratio Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio predicts how comfortable a boat will feel in offshore conditions. Higher values mean a steadier, more comfortable motion in a seaway.
Under 20 — Uncomfortably rough20–30 — Acceptable coastal30–40 — Good offshore comfortOver 40 — Very comfortable offshore
2.04
Capsize Screening Formula The USHS Capsize Screening Formula estimates offshore capsize risk. Lower is safer — values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing.
Under 2.0 — Safe for offshore2.0–2.2 — Borderline offshoreOver 2.2 — Coastal use recommended
4.64
Hull Speed Hull Speed is the theoretical maximum speed of a displacement hull, calculated from waterline length. Most cruising sailboats reach this speed in moderate conditions. 4.9 kn
Pounds/Inch Immersion Pounds per Inch Immersion (PPI) tells you how much weight is needed to sink the boat one inch. Useful for calculating how additional gear and stores affect waterline. 2.17 pounds/inch
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