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Dart Dinghy
Designer: Trevor Kirby  ·  Builder: Kirby Marine (Uk)  ·  First built: 1965
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About the Dart Dinghy

Designed by Trevor Kirby and first launched in 1965, this compact British dinghy has earned a reputation as an excellent training and recreational sailing craft. Built by Kirby Marine UK using GRP construction, the Dart features a straightforward cat rig with an unstayed mast that makes it particularly appealing to novice sailors and sailing schools. At just over 14 feet in length with a 5-foot beam, the Dart strikes an ideal balance between stability and performance. Its centerboard configuration allows for easy launching from beaches and shallow waters, while the 200-pound displacement keeps the boat light enough for car-topping yet substantial enough to handle moderate conditions. The generous sail area of 100 square feet provides spirited performance in light to moderate winds. The Dart's capsize screening formula of 3.41 indicates good stability characteristics for a small dinghy, making it well-suited for coastal day sailing, sailing instruction, and club racing. Its simple rigging and forgiving handling characteristics have made it a popular choice for youth programs and adult learn-to-sail courses throughout the UK and beyond. This versatile dinghy excels in protected waters, harbors, and coastal areas where its responsive handling and straightforward operation can be fully appreciated by sailors of all experience levels.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 14.01 ft / 4.27 m
Beam 4.99 ft / 1.52 m
Max Draft 2.00 ft / 0.61 m
Displacement 200.62 lb / 91 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 100.10 ft² / 9.30 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Centerboard Dinghy
Rigging Type Cat (unstayed)
Construction GRP
Designer Trevor Kirby
Builder Kirby Marine (UK)
First Built 1965
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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
46.77
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
53.03
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
2.89
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. 4.62 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. 1.27 pounds/inch
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