© 2025 Sailing Hounds - Mad Dash
South Coast Sailing Regattas, Offshore Racing, Private Charters and Corporate Events
The Full Story
About Mad Dash
Comfort and Interior
Below decks, the 'Mad Dash' is as thoughtfully arranged as her deck. A cambered coachroof brings abundant light and headroom into a modern, oak-trimmed interior. The layout provides three private double cabins plus a convertible saloon berth, comfortably sleeping up to eight guests with room for two professional crew.
Two heads (one aft, one forward en-suite) give everyone privacy. The saloon is bright and spacious with high-backed settee berths, ample locker space and a large folding dining table. Across to starboard the L-shaped galley is fully equipped: generous work surfaces, a front-opening 100-litre fridge, microwave and plenty of storage. A dedicated nav station on port lets the skipper plot courses without crowding the crew.
Overall the interior feels clean and robust – built to offshore standards but comfortable enough for relaxed cruising. This blend of style and function means guests enjoy serious comfort underway, yet the boat never feels sluggish: she’s as at home hosting charter parties or team-building adventures as she is sprinting around race marks.
Performance and Racing Potential
Mad Dash is a true performance cruiser. Elan’s 410 model was an early “crossover” design – part racer, part cruiser – and it excels in regattas. With a tall, full sailplan and compact hull sections, she accelerates readily even in light airs. One review praises the 410 as “in every respect a performance-orientated cruiser designed for success on the racecourse, but with the dual purpose to cruise extensively.
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The result is a powerful yet versatile yacht: she’s “extremely competitive in the IRC handicap system, yet with all the comforts of a 40-footer on board. Test sailors found Mad Dash “light and responsive” in regards to her sailing performance. Mad Dash rewards skilled crews and gives charter skippers confidence that race-level performance is within reach.
Solent &
Isle of Wight Sailing
Based on the River Hamble, Mad Dash gives you full command of the Solent’s legendary waters. In minutes you can be racing around the Isle of Wight’s classic courses or pointing toward the Needles at full speed.
Short races, buoy regattas and longer island-hops are all on the menu, whether that’s a spirited Cowes Week campaign or a circumnavigation of the Wight. The combination of a nimble hull and fine-tuned sailplan makes Mad Dash equally thrilling on fast flat reaches or tactical inshore work.
When the day’s sails come down, the scenery of Cowes, Yarmouth, or Lymington makes for glorious cruising. Every outing is an adventure: imagine surfing down Solent chop under a spinnaker, or coasting past Osborne House at sunset – all with a professional crew ready to handle the lines.
Homeport: Vibrant Port Hamble
Mad Dash is berthed at Port Hamble Marina, a bustling yacht hub on the River Hamble. Its strategic location gives instant access to the Solent’s racing grounds. More than that, Port Hamble has a true sailing village atmosphere: nearby Hamble-le-Rice brims with historic pubs and waterfront restaurants, making it easy for crews to compare notes over a post-race pint.
The tight-knit sailing community here also means good crew connections – you’ll often meet fellow racers or charters planning the next adventure just steps from the dock. In short, Port Hamble is the perfect base for Mad Dash, combining a professional racing support network with all the local charm and hospitality serious sailors appreciate.
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Mad Dash combines speed and spirit, adventure and assurance. Whether you’re out to chase trophies or simply to enjoy a fast and thrilling cruise, she offers an unforgettable sailing experience. With race-grade rigging and hull design, plus the creature comforts for extended cruises, Mad Dash delivers the excitement of sport sailing with the professionalism that crews and charter guests demand. Come aboard and start your next Solent adventure!