The Precision 18 is a recreational keelboat, built predominantly of fiberglass, with wood trim. It has a fractionalsloop 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
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]
^McArthur, Bruce (2021). "Precision Boat Works". sailboatdata.com. Archived from the original on 13 September 2020. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
^Precision Boat Works (2021). "Precision 18". precisionboatworks.com. Archived from the original on 30 September 2021. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
^Precision Boat Works (2020). "Precision Boats Information". precisionboatworks.com. Archived from the original on 12 July 2020. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
^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.
