What we sail
The Dart 15 has been variously known as the Spark, the Dart 15, then Sprint 15 before returning to Dart 15.
It is a fifteen foot, fibre-glass, catamaran designed for one or two crew. It can be sailed with a mainsail or with a mainsail and jib. Compared to most dinghies, it is a fast, stable boat. It is also a very sturdy craft which makes it an excellent boat for cruising. Because of its stability and simplicity, the Dart 15 is easy for beginners to start on, yet there is no need to upgrade when you gain proficiency. Shanklin Sailing Club has over 40 privately owned Dart 15s and they are raced 3 days a week. Usable second hand Dart 15scan be bought for under a thousand pounds and some really good quality boats can be obtained for a few thousand.
The Laser Pico is an eleven and a half foot long plastic dinghy with furling mainsail and optional jib. It can be sailed single handed or with up to three children. We use it at Shanklin as a learning boat, mainly but not exclusively for children. We also hold a number of cadet races at Shanklin and these are mostly raced in Picos. Shanklin Sailing Club has a small fleet of Picos for use by the members.
We also have a Challenger trimaran which is designed for less physically able sailors to control from their seat in the cockpit.
In the past, members of Shanklin Sailing Club have sailed:
Mononhulls
Scow
12' Exe
National 12
Firefly
OK
Laser
470
Albacore
Topper
Catamarans
Shearwater
Tornado
Condor
Dart 18
See also: https://www.shanklinsailingclub.com/content/sailing/2011-10-10/Dart_15_sailing_formats.php
