Articles from the Association magazine

The following articles were originally printed in the Associations magazine, and are worth reading if you want to get the best out of your boat.

Stay Tooned! Paul Smith provides a clear and comprehensive guide to tuning your boat for best performance (April 1997).
Looking Good! Paul's follow on article gives good advice on racing technique including the most important tip of all (there's a clue in the title...) (February 2000).
The Need For Speed! Paul Smith gives good tips on how to get your boat round the race course as quickly as possible (Autumn 2001).
Sailing in a Blow George Carter describes how to sail safely and get the best out of your Dart 15 in strong winds (June 1997).
Redbullet Supercharge your Sprint 15 by George Carter (PDF format) George Carter describes tweeks you can do to your boat to make it sail better (from Spring 2004)
Redbullet Tacking in Heavy Wind (PDF format) by Paul Smith (June 2003)
Redbullet Fitting Instructions for the Bainbridge 25CTJM Batten Tension Adjuster – by Keith Newnham (December 2006)
Redbullet Major Hull Damage Repair - by Brian Phipps (December 2006)
Redbullet Hull Colour Restoration by Paul Smith (November 2003)
   

Further Tips

Here's some further sailing tips contributed by experienced Dart 15 sailors:

George Stephen's comprehensive Trampoline article - explains why this often overlooked part of your boat is so important
How to put up your mast single handed
Bob Carter's tips on how to repair a sail batten
Bob Carter's Race Training Hints
Downhill (downwind) sailing
Uphill (upwind) sailing
Heavyweight sailing
Sprint sailing
Redbullet How to Fit New Trampoline Tracks
Redbullet How to Right An Inverted Sprint 15

We would like to expand this into a reference section for new and experienced 15 sailors alike. If you have ideas or material for inclusion, please contact Jonathan (beginners issues are just as important as those that go make a National Champion). So don't be afraid to make your own contribution.

Ideas for future topics include:
How to look after your Dart 15
Just how do I get that on my roof rack?
Where can I get spare parts from? (alternative suppliers?)
So whats this Traveller Series all about?
A newbies guide to the Nationals
A pond dwellers guide to tidal sailing

Please send in your ideas and contributions!