Dazcat Designs (Darren Newton)

Darren Newton is a specialist designer of racing and fast cruising catamarans with particular interest in performance boats and an expertise in composite materials and production. He set up a design company in the UK in 1989 and began the Dazcat line of catamarans, which continues to achieve outstanding success in local and international competitions.

Dazcat Designs had an early success with the Dazcat 800, their first design, which won the 1991 Round the Isle of Wight Race, setting a new record time. With a growing recognition for innovative design and robust construction, Darren Newton went on to design and construct a series of performance and competition boats, including a 11.5 metre Kevlar Dazcat commissioned by explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes to cross the Baring Straits.

The range of models offered by Dazcat Designs grew and the company continued to develop more efficient and effective building techniques. In 1998, with designer Derick Reynolds and two boat building experts, he founded Multimarine Composites Limited to increase the scope of operations further. The new company's main activity is building the range of Dazcats as well as boats from several other renowned multihull designers.

1989

Dazcat Designs founded

1991

Dazcat 800 inshore racer finishes first in the Round the Isle of Wight Race, setting new record

1993

Dazcat moves to Millbrook, Cornwall, UK

1994

Dazcat 800 MRC CLARKE ACTIVE AIR wins her class in the Two-handed Transatlantic Race - Plymouth to Rhode Island

1995

Dazcat 1050 performance cruiser launched

1996

Dazcat 920 PARADOX designed for Alan Grace (paralysed in a motorbike accident) to compete in the 1998 Round Britain Race

1997

11.5 m Kevlar Dazcat built for Sir Ranulph Fiennes expedition to cross the Baring Straits

First Dazcat 920 SPECIALLY SELECTED - competed in The Three Peaks Race, UK

1998

Dazcat 27 Race Cat, DÉJÀ VU

Dazcat 920, LEIGH, built for John Ibbotson

Multimarine Composites Ltd founded by Darren Newton, Derick Reynolds, Andy Fox and Simon Baker

1999

First Dazcat 14, LADY BOUNTY, built for Tom and Nigel Bligh

2000

Dazcat 15 built and wins Criterion Round Britain Race

2001

First Dazcat 10, BELLADONNA, built for Mike and Carol Sills

Dazcat 10 BEDAZZLED built for Tony Cotton, who wins the Plymouth-Falmouth-Fowey race the same summer Dazcat 920, LEIGH, built for John Ibbotson

Radim Zizka is first internet sale for Dazcat 10m home build; ZABA

2002

Dazcat 12CR, DAZZLE, built for Round Britain Race and Fastnet, which it loses by 1 minute

BEDAZZLED wins Two-Handed Round Britain Race

2003

Dazcat 12 and 14 Open Deck Cats introduced to range

2004

Dazcat 1190 built

Luxury power cats introduced to range

PARADOX comes 9th in Round the Isle of Wight race

2005

Introduction of Dazcat 1040 Discovery cat for coastal and inland waterway cruising

Dazcat 14 Open Deck Charter Cat, STELLA MARINE, built for export to Italy

Plymouth-Falmouth-Fowey Race; PARADOX comes 2nd in first leg to Falmouth and wins both legs the following day