Sailboat class
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
External links
Dinghies under 10 ft Dinghies under 15 ft
Dinghies under 20 ft
Dinghies 20 ft or over Scows Multihulls
