Prindle 18
Development
DesignerGeoffrey Prindle
LocationUnited States
Year1977
No. built2,300
Builder(s)Surfglas
Prindle Catamarans
Lear Siegler Inc.
RoleRacer
NamePrindle 18
Boat
Crewtwo
Displacement335 lb (152 kg)
Draft7 in (18 cm)
Hull
TypeCatamaran
ConstructionFiberglass
LOA18.00 ft (5.49 m)
LWL17.00 ft (5.18 m)
Beam7.92 ft (2.41 m)
Hull appendages
Keel/board typenone
Rudder(s)transom-mounted rudders
Rig
Rig typeBermuda rig
Sails
SailplanFractional rigged sloop
Mainsail area170 sq ft (16 m2)
Jib/genoa area48 sq ft (4.5 m2)
Total sail area218 sq ft (20.3 m2)
Racing
D-PN74.5

[edit on Wikidata]

The Prindle 18 is an American catamaran sailing dinghy that was designed by Geoffrey Prindle as a racer and first built in 1977.[1][2][3]

Geoffrey Prindle had started out as a surfboard manufacturer but was also successful racing Hobie 14 catamarans and started his own line of boats, starting with the Prindle 16.[2]

Production

The design was initially built by Surfglas, a surfboard manufacturer that changed its name to Prindle Catamarans. The boat was also built by Lear Siegler Inc. in the United States. A total of 2,300 boats were built, but it is now out of production.[1][3][4][5]

The design was replaced in the manufacturer's line by the Prindle 18-2 in 1983, a more conventional design, with straight hulls and centerboards.[1][6]

Design

The Prindle 18 is a recreational sailboat, built predominantly of fiberglass. It has a fractional sloop rig with aluminum spars, a rotating mast and a fully-battened mainsail, using foam and fiberglass sail battens. The mast spreaders are adjustable for rake. The dual asymmetrical hulls have raked stems, slightly reverse transoms and dual transom-hung, kick-up beaching rudders controlled by a tiller. The hulls are both rockered and have no keels or daggerboards. The design displaces 335 lb (152 kg) and features a mesh trampoline between the hulls.[1][3]

This beachcat design has a draft of 7 in (18 cm) allowing beaching. The hinged mast also facilitates ground transportation on a trailer.[1]

For sailing the design may be equipped with one or two trapezes. It has a 4:1 mechanical advantage downhaul, an outhaul and mast rotation controls. The jib luff is attached with a zipper.[3]

The design has a Portsmouth Yardstick racing average handicap of 74.5 and is normally raced with a crew of two sailors.[3]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e McArthur, Bruce (2020). "Prindle 18 sailboat". sailboatdata.com. Archived from the original on 16 October 2020. Retrieved 16 October 2020.
  2. ^ a b McArthur, Bruce (2020). "Geoffrey Prindle". sailboatdata.com. Archived from the original on 16 October 2020. Retrieved 16 October 2020.
  3. ^ a b c d e Sherwood, Richard M.: A Field Guide to Sailboats of North America, Second Edition, pages 94-95. Houghton Mifflin Company, 1994. ISBN 0-395-65239-1
  4. ^ McArthur, Bruce (2020). "Prindle Catamarans". sailboatdata.com. Archived from the original on 16 October 2020. Retrieved 16 October 2020.
  5. ^ McArthur, Bruce (2020). "Lear Siegler Inc. 1961 - 2002". sailboatdata.com. Archived from the original on 16 October 2020. Retrieved 16 October 2020.
  6. ^ McArthur, Bruce (2020). "Prindle 18-2 sailboat specifications and details". sailboatdata.com. Archived from the original on 16 October 2020. Retrieved 16 October 2020.

External links

Sailing dinghies
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