Dart SB3 - How goes it?

January 20th, 2008

Sunday was the day when many Australian and International sailors stepped onto a Dart SB3 for the first time.

Top class sailors including Australian Sailing Team members Sarah Blanck, Tom Slingsby, Nathan Outteridge, Nathan Wilmot, and Glenn Ashby took to the water along with Skandia owner Grant Wharington, Australian Sailing editor Vanessa Dudley, Olympic Medalists Mitch Booth, Tom King and Mark Turnbull just to name a few. Each and every one of these sailors, and more, stepped off the boats with smiles on their faces. Everyone had a great time racing the SB3.

On first looking at the boat, it’s obvious that it’s total production quality, and true one design. When purchasing one of these “sportsboats” everything comes in a box, including sails, rudder, ropes and everything needed to get one on the water without fuss. Although the price of just under $50k (AUS) might seem daunting, once you include everything from electrics to trailers, the prices really isn’t that bad for a brand new boat on the water and ready to race. Most might say it’s too much considering you can’t take the family away or sleep on them, but others will say that doesn’t really matter.

Apart from the rails on the gunwale that stop you from hiking, and the lack of actual hiking straps, the boat really is a great little one to sail. The idea behind the rails and no hiking straps is so the boat is accessible to anyone regardless of fitness level, however for the true hardcore sailor, this may be looked at as a negative. After all, it’s a great feeling burning down a reach with the kite up hiking out and holding on for dear life, however this is slightly pulled back on the SB3 due to the rails. It’s not comfortable doing the old side hike and bending like a Chinese gymnast to get the boat flat.

Everything on the boat is in the pit. It’s basically up to the bowman to run the boat with the rest holding onto the main or the tiller. One thing I noticed was that when the bow was pulling in the kite, there really wasn’t much room for anyone to get in there and help him/her out. Yes they are a small boat, but it does leave a lot of responsibility to one person.

But let me just tell you that these things really get up and go. They are fast downwind and are a lot of fun. It was a shame that we didn’t get more time on the water but the format of the day restricted us a bit.

After speaking to some of those who sailed them, including Wharington, they all said they had a ball and that the SB3 was a great little boat and would enjoy sailing one again. I doubt many who sailed them on the Docklands Invitational would buy one, however they do already have commitments in other areas. Although with the first SB3 Worlds in Ireland in September, there was talk from some of these sailors about chartering a boat and giving the regatta a go.

What everyone needs to understand is that the SB3 is a boat just like any other. It has it’s positive points and it’s flaws and is going to be suited to a certain demographic who are keen to sail one design in a restricted class. The SB3 isn’t for the those who love the true sports boat designs like the Thompson, Stealth or Elliot, but there are people other there who will choose an SB3 over those classes because of the one design factor.

We need to face the fact that the class is in Australia and is set to stay. It’s not a bad thing, as more people will take to the water. There is a place for every class of boat, and trailer sailor sports boats no matter what their shape or form will continue to grow and attract more people. The only difference with the SB3 is that it’s an ISAF recognised class. (Not really that big a deal!)

If you get the chance to sail one, give it a go. Take the boat for what it is and don’t try and make it something that it’s not.

So who won the Vectrix Scotter? The Australian Sailing Team 1 – Nathan Outteridge, Sarah Blanck, Nathan Wilmot and Tom Slingsby. They have proudly donated the scooter to the Australian Paralympic Sailing Team for them to use in Beijing for the Olympics.

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Rainy Melbourne Skyline

Well here I am in rainy Melbourne for the Docklands Invitational showcase event about to sail on an SB3. Seven SB3s are in the water flying the black and white Dart flags and are being examined by the copious amounts of people walking past. Most are sailors who look at them not really knowing what to say. The thoughts going through the minds are probably along the lines of “hmmm, wonder how these things will go…”, followed by “I secretly wish I was sailing one of these…” (well maybe… maybe not…)

Final rig checks

The conditions here are pretty typical of Melbourne. It’s blowing about 15-20 knots, raining and cold. The Docklands area is going to become quite congested soon as people begin arriving to watch both the SB3 racing and the Team Racing in Pacers. Today is about showing off sailing to the general public.

On first looking at the SB3 up close, they really do seem like a simple boat (perfect). The one thing that I think I’m going to dislike is the rails long the gunwale that stop you hiking. That will make sailing them in breeze interesting, but I have been told the theory behind that inclusion is so that everyone can sail them even if you are 70 and can’t hike because of hip issues. Still, I’m not convinced they are right.

Until they are rigged, see them sailing and sail one myself, my opinion is still very open. They certainly look good, just like a big dinghy really.

Speaking of racing, I am a little nervous!!! One because there is only 45 minutes per team to practice before the race, and two, there are some pretty big names in sailing that we are up against! I’m sailing with Sean O’Rourke, Nick Peate and Matt Jones. We have not seen the draw yet, but we could be up against anyone from Olympic Medalists to World Champions… We have our plan of attack set, fingers crossed we can pull off something amazing to go into the final round

The Prize