| Precision 18 | |
| Designer: | Jim Taylor |
| Location: | United States |
| Year: | 1984 |
| No Built: | 500 |
| Builder: | Precision Boat Works |
| Role: | Cruiser |
| Draft: | 4.25feet with centerboard extended |
| Displacement: | 11000NaN0 |
| Hull Type: | monohull |
| Construction: | fiberglass |
| Loa: | 17.42feet |
| Lwl: | 15.42feet |
| Beam: | 7.42feet |
| Engine: | outboard motor |
| Keel Type: | stub keel with centerboard |
| Ballast: | 3500NaN0 |
| Rudder Type: | transom-mounted rudder |
| Rig Type: | Bermuda rig |
| I: | 19feet |
| J: | 5.5feet |
| P: | 20feet |
| E: | 8.25feet |
| Sailplan: | fractional rigged sloop |
| Sailarea Main: | 82.5square feet |
| Sailarea Headsail: | 52.25square feet |
| Sailarea Total: | 134.75square feet |
| Phrf: | 275 |
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]
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]
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 680NaN0 fiberglass centerboard that retracts into the keel. It displaces 11000NaN0 and carries 3500NaN0 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 4.25feet with the centerboard extended and 1.5feet with it retracted, allowing operation in shallow water or ground transportation on a trailer.[1] [3]
The boat is normally fitted with a small 3to 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 400NaN0 cooler. The head is located on the port side, amidships, under the settee. Cabin headroom is 480NaN0.[1] [3]
The design has a PHRF racing average handicap of 275 and a hull speed of 5.3kn.[3]
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]