Precision 18

Summary

The Precision 18 is an American trailerable sailboat that was designed by Jim Taylor as a cruiser and first built in 1984.[1][2][3]

Precision 18
Development
DesignerJim Taylor
LocationUnited States
Year1984
No. built500
Builder(s)Precision Boat Works
RoleCruiser
NamePrecision 18
Boat
Displacement1,100 lb (499 kg)
Draft4.25 ft (1.30 m) with centerboard extended
Hull
Typemonohull
Constructionfiberglass
LOA17.42 ft (5.31 m)
LWL15.42 ft (4.70 m)
Beam7.42 ft (2.26 m)
Engine typeoutboard motor
Hull appendages
Keel/board typestub keel with centerboard
Ballast350 lb (159 kg)
Rudder(s)transom-mounted rudder
Rig
Rig typeBermuda rig
I foretriangle height19.00 ft (5.79 m)
J foretriangle base5.50 ft (1.68 m)
P mainsail luff20.00 ft (6.10 m)
E mainsail foot8.25 ft (2.51 m)
Sails
Sailplanfractional rigged sloop
Mainsail area82.50 sq ft (7.665 m2)
Jib/genoa area52.25 sq ft (4.854 m2)
Total sail area134.75 sq ft (12.519 m2)
Racing
PHRF275

Production edit

The design was built by Precision Boat Works in Palmetto, Florida, United States from 1984 until 2018, with 500 boats completed.[1][3][4][5][6][7][8]

Design edit

The Precision 18 is a recreational keelboat, built predominantly of fiberglass, with wood trim. It has a fractional sloop rig, a raked stem, a plumb transom, a transom-hung, kick-up rudder controlled by a tiller and a fixed stub keel, with a NACA airfoil 68 lb (31 kg) fiberglass centerboard that retracts into the keel. It displaces 1,100 lb (499 kg) and carries 350 lb (159 kg) of lead ballast.[1][3]

Early boats produced have a single non-opening port on each cabin side, whereas later production models have two opening ports per side.[3]

The boat has a draft of 4.25 ft (1.30 m) with the centerboard extended and 1.50 ft (0.46 m) with it retracted, allowing operation in shallow water or ground transportation on a trailer.[1][3]

The boat is normally fitted with a small 3 to 6 hp (2 to 4 kW) outboard motor for docking and maneuvering.[1][3]

The design has sleeping accommodation for four people, with a double "V"-berth in the bow cabin and two straight settee berths in the main cabin. There are no galley provisions, nor a table provided, but there is a 40 US qt (38 L) cooler. The head is located on the port side, amidships, under the settee. Cabin headroom is 48 in (122 cm).[1][3]

The design has a PHRF racing average handicap of 275 and a hull speed of 5.3 kn (9.8 km/h).[3]

Operational history edit

In a 2010 review Steve Henkel wrote, "this is an attractive, well built modern trailer-sailer with a keel-housed centerboard—what used to be called a "wholesome" boat. Below is a 40-quart cooler, and a space for a porta-pottie, but no sink, stove, or table ... Best features: Solid, neatly laid-up construction, good attention to detail ... Worst features: The basic boat comes without boom vang, backstay tensioner, reefing lines led back to the cockpit for easy singlehanding, and other small conveniences. For example, the end-boom mainsheet tackle is attached to a fitting on the backstay, an awkward reach for a singlehander sitting forward in the cockpit to balance the boat, Some owners complain that the cockpit scuppers are too small for proper draining,"[3]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d e f McArthur, Bruce (2021). "Precision 18 sailboat". sailboatdata.com. Archived from the original on 2 November 2021. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
  2. ^ McArthur, Bruce (2021). "Jim Taylor". sailboatdata.com. Archived from the original on 2 November 2021. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i Henkel, Steve: The Sailor's Book of Small Cruising Sailboats, page 55. International Marine/McGraw-Hill, 2010. ISBN 978-0-07-163652-0
  4. ^ McArthur, Bruce (2021). "Precision Boat Works". sailboatdata.com. Archived from the original on 13 September 2020. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
  5. ^ Precision Boat Works (2021). "Precision 18". precisionboatworks.com. Archived from the original on 30 September 2021. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
  6. ^ Precision Boat Works (2020). "Precision Boats Information". precisionboatworks.com. Archived from the original on 12 July 2020. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
  7. ^ "Precision Boat Works ceases production". Trade Only Today. 3 August 2018. Archived from the original on 3 August 2018. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
  8. ^ Precision Boat Works (2 August 2018). "Precision Boat Works Is Moving" (PDF). Press Release. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2 November 2021. Retrieved 2 November 2021.

External links edit

  • Official website