 | |
| Development | |
|---|---|
| Designer | Geoffrey Prindle |
| Location | United States |
| Year | 1977 |
| No. built | 2,300 |
| Builder(s) | Surfglas Prindle Catamarans Lear Siegler Inc. |
| Role | Racer |
| Name | Prindle 18 |
| Boat | |
| Crew | two |
| Displacement | 335 lb (152 kg) |
| Draft | 7 in (18 cm) |
| Hull | |
| Type | Catamaran |
| Construction | Fiberglass |
| LOA | 18.00 ft (5.49 m) |
| LWL | 17.00 ft (5.18 m) |
| Beam | 7.92 ft (2.41 m) |
| Hull appendages | |
| Keel/board type | none |
| Rudder | transom-mountedrudders |
| Rig | |
| Rig type | Bermuda rig |
| Mast length | 28.677 ft (8.741 m) |
| Sails | |
| Sailplan | Fractional riggedsloop |
| Mainsail area | 170 sq ft (16 m2) |
| Jib/genoa area | 48 sq ft (4.5 m2) |
| Total sail area | 218 sq ft (20.3 m2) |
| Racing | |
| D-PN | 74.5 |
ThePrindle 18 is an Americancatamaransailing dinghy that was designed byGeoffrey Prindle as aracer and first built in 1977.[1][2][3]
Geoffrey Prindle had started out as asurfboard manufacturer but was also successful racingHobie 14 catamarans and started his own line of boats, starting with thePrindle 16.[2]
The design was initially built bySurfglas, a surfboard manufacturer that changed its name toPrindle Catamarans. The boat was also built byLear Siegler Inc. in theUnited 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 thePrindle 18-2 in 1983, a more conventional design, with straight hulls andcenterboards.[1][6]
The Prindle 18 is a recreationalsailboat, built predominantly offiberglass. It has afractionalsloop rig withaluminum spars, a rotating mast and afully-battenedmainsail, using foam and fiberglasssail battens. Themast spreaders are adjustable for rake. The dual asymmetrical hulls haveraked stems, slightlyreverse transoms and dual transom-hung, kick-up beachingrudders controlled by atiller. The hulls are both rockered and have no keels or daggerboards. The design displaces 335 lb (152 kg) and features a meshtrampoline between the hulls.[1][3]
Thisbeachcat design has adraft of 7 in (18 cm) allowingbeaching. The hinged mast also facilitates ground transportation on atrailer.[1]
For sailing the design may be equipped with one or twotrapezes. It has a 4:1mechanical advantagedownhaul, anouthaul and mast rotation controls. Thejib luff is attached with a zipper.[3]
The design has aPortsmouth Yardstick racing average handicap of 74.5 and is normally raced with a crew of twosailors.[3]
Media related toPrindle 18 at Wikimedia Commons