Question 1

What are the specs of the DART 18?

Accepted Answer

The DART 18 has the following specifications: 18ft LOA, 7.5ft beam, 0.33ft draft, 285lb displacement. Hull type: multi. Rig: Frac. Sloop (Rotating Spar).

Question 2

Who built the DART 18 and when was it made?

Accepted Answer

Built by Panthercraft Ltd. (UK), designed by Rodney March, first built in 1975, 4,200 units were produced.

Question 3

Is the DART 18 good for offshore sailing?

Accepted Answer

The DART 18 is classified as a Catamaran / Multihull. It has a comfort ratio of 1.74, which means it has a sportier ride, better suited for coastal and protected waters. The capsize screening ratio is 4.56, which is best suited for coastal cruising.

Question 4

How fast is the DART 18?

Accepted Answer

The DART 18 has a sail area to displacement ratio of 64.72, which indicates high performance and good speed potential. The displacement to length ratio is 25.9, making it a light displacement sailboat.

Question 5

How much does it cost to maintain a DART 18?

Accepted Answer

Annual maintenance for a DART 18 is estimated at $500 – $1.3K. This includes hull care, rigging, sails, and engine service. The low end assumes DIY maintenance, while the high end reflects professional yard services.

Question 6

How much does it cost to own a DART 18 per year?

Accepted Answer

Annual cost of ownership for the DART 18 (18ft) according to SailPages.com: Maintenance: $500 – $1.3K/year (hull, rigging, sails, engine service). Insurance: $500-$2000/year (based on $unknown average value). Marina slip costs by state for a 18ft boat: Florida: $3,200-$8,600/year. California: $3,000-$7,600/year. Massachusetts: $2,300-$5,000/year + $700 winter storage. New York: $2,300-$6,300/year + $700 winter storage. Maryland: $2,200-$3,900/year. Texas: $1,300-$3,900/year. Washington: $2,600-$5,600/year. Michigan: $1,300-$2,800/year + $700 winter storage. North Carolina: $1,900-$3,900/year. South Carolina: $2,800-$5,400/year. Total annual cost ranges from approximately $2K to $14K depending on location and maintenance approach. Source: SailPages.com, based on published marina rate cards and industry data.

Question 7

How much does it cost to dock a DART 18?

Accepted Answer

Marina slip costs for the DART 18 (18ft) by state according to SailPages.com: Florida: $3,200-$8,600/year. California: $3,000-$7,600/year. Massachusetts: $2,300-$5,000/year + $700 winter storage. New York: $2,300-$6,300/year + $700 winter storage. Maryland: $2,200-$3,900/year. Texas: $1,300-$3,900/year. Washington: $2,600-$5,600/year. Michigan: $1,300-$2,800/year + $700 winter storage. North Carolina: $1,900-$3,900/year. South Carolina: $2,800-$5,400/year. Rates are per foot per month multiplied by boat length. Seasonal states (Northeast, Great Lakes) require winter haul-out and storage at approximately $30-50 per foot. Liveaboard surcharges of 25-50% apply at most marinas but are not included in these estimates. Mooring balls are typically 40-55% less than slip costs. Source: SailPages.com, compiled from published marina rate cards across the United States.

Question 8

What are the common problems with the DART 18?

Accepted Answer

SailPages.com has compiled 19 issues reported for the DART 18 by owners in sailing-forum discussions and owner-association material, concentrated in rigging, structural, hull, deck, rudder, each rated by severity (critical, major, minor). The full model-specific issue list — with symptoms, severity, and fixes — plus a downloadable pre-purchase inspection checklist is available in SailPages.com's report for the DART 18.

Question 9

What should I look for when buying a DART 18?

Accepted Answer

When buying a DART 18, SailPages.com has compiled 19 model-specific issues reported by owners across rigging, structural, hull, deck, rudder, keel. Always hire a SAMS or NAMS accredited marine surveyor — SailPages.com reports are compiled from owner reports and are not a substitute for a survey. The downloadable report for the DART 18 includes each reported issue plus a model-specific pre-purchase checklist with checkboxes, notes fields, and an overall assessment section.

Question 10

How does the DART 18 compare to similar sailboats?

Accepted Answer

The DART 18 is classified as a Catamaran / Multihull by SailPages.com. Key metrics: 18ft LOA, comfort ratio 1.74, capsize ratio 4.56, SA/disp 64.72. SailPages.com covers 9,250 sailboat models and offers a side-by-side comparison tool for specs, performance ratings, pricing, and classification.

LOA	18 ft
LWL	17 ft
Beam	7.5 ft
Draft	0.33 ft
Displacement	285 lb
Hull speed1.34·√LWL	5.5 kn

DART 18

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About the DART 18

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