precision boats

[kickingbug1]

    i wonder if anyone on the site has first hand information as to the quality of a precision boat. i know that precision boat works builds the colgate 26 and that taylor designed the starwind. the boats are generally built lighter than our com-pacs and carry more sail as well, and should be faster if not as durable.

[MacGyver]

I like the Precisions, nice boats. We have had a few over the years at the marina and folks have always been happy with them.
The Colgates are a solid boat as well, and a guy just brought one back to the harbor a week or so ago.

There is even a Precision 21 at Ricks Storage by my house.

Mac

[Norm]

I had a Precision 21 and loved it.  Cruised the Chesapeake Bay for five years in that boat.  The boat has more room that the CP 23 I now sail.  It was not as sea kindly as the CP but still a very good boat.  Easier to rig too.

Norm

[brackish]

I was actually looking for a Precision 23 when I bought my ComPac.  I looked at several about 10 years old and they didn't seem to have any significant quality problems.  You are right, they are lighter and slightly faster.  The speed comes from the fact that they carry a more favorable SA/displ. ratio  and can point slightly better because of the keel/cb arrangement and the inboard shrouds.  The interiors are more Spartan compared to the ComPac.  The difference in speed is not that great, I think they have a 230 phrf compared to a 252 for the Compac (23s).  I think the standing rigging is slightly less robust.  Their hull design gives them a little more initial stability, but no more ultimate stability.  

I think the ComPacs have a more classic look and are much better appointed below.

However, I like Jim Taylor designed boats.

I came to the conclusion that whatever boat, Compac or Precision that became available within driving distance to my house at the right price/age/condition, I would make an offer.  My ComPac came up, although I made an offer on a Precision 23 six months earlier that was not accepted.  I'm happy with my choice.

[kickingbug1]

    thanks for the input. i always get good advice here. i have considered a com-pac 19 as an upgrade mainly for the 7 foot beam as opposed to the 6 feet of my 16. i have never seen a precision up close but they are significantly lighter and do have more sail area. i am considering either a p 165 or a p18. they both have 145 sq ft of sail and at 750 and 1100lbs displacement respectfully would be much easier to trailer than a cp19 or eclipse. either of these boats would seem a better choice in light air and i think both point better than a com-pac. i agree nothing comes close to the look of a com-pac. size and weight are a major concern with me as i trailer sail and store the boat in my garage.  we enjoy a challenging sail when the wind pipes up and the boat heels and a little more speed wouldnt hurt either.

[Bob23]

   The only Precision I have any experience at all with is the P15K. K standing for keel. An old friend/customer bought one about 4 years ago and recently gave it to me. It's an odd boat, lightly built with a very chincy roller furler and light rigging. Odd because for a 600# boat it carries a 250# wing keel. Large cockpit, pretty comfy seating and very easy to rig. In my opinion, this is not a boat to be moored but rather trailer sailed. The salesman never told us that and we encountered problems with the boat specific to the loads placed on a moored boat in windy/wave conditions.
   But without saying anything negative, if you like the Hutchins customer service  you may be a bit disappointed with Precions. 'Nuff said about that. I think Small Craft Advisor recently did a review on the P165. Or maybe it was Good Old Boat.
   I think the larger ones are pretty nice but if I were to defect to another 23 it'd be a Montgomery.
Bob23

[mattman]

Here is the link,

http://councill.home.mindspring.com/sbjournal/sbjtest68/sbjtest1.html

I have owned a Capri 18 wing keel, which I found was a really good all round boat, quick, nimble, pointed well, fairly easy to trailer and a 2 good berths. I didn't notice the unpredictable rounding as described in the article. I was looking for another 18 when I  bought the cp16.

[crazycarl]

Steve, why settle when you can have the boat you really want!

http://sailingtexas.com/201301/scompac21107.html


This looks like a good deal,   Carl

[kickingbug1]

   yeah, i e mailed the guy and have yet to hear back from him. anyway the closest precision 165 i found is in minnisota and i think the guy changed his mind about selling. the eclipse is nice but too much for my budget anyway.

[Eagleye]

I took this pic of a Precision 23 (I would guess by the number on the sail) about 3 weeks ago on Saratoga Lake, NY.   







When the gusts picked up to 26 in the afternoon they tried to sail with just the jib but soon dropped that too and motored in.  We reefed the Eclipse and had an exhilarating sail for the rest of the day.








-Allen

[Jon898]

Before we downsized to the Picnic Cat, we owned a Precision 28.  In the downsizing, we were considering either the PC or a Precision 165, and the PC won out on the basis of easier trailersailing (Mastendr system versus struggling with a Marconi rig, and no keel), better fit for the garage, and less chance that the Nockamixon rangers would get snippy about a 16.5 foot boat paying the 16 foot rate (Steve at the Sailboat Shop in NJ offered to remove the "5" from the sail in case).

Neither quality nor factory service came into the decision at the time, although I now know that Com-Pac customer service has a really wonderful reputation.  We were very pleased with the quality of the P-28 which was one of the factors that influenced our consideration of the P-165.

The aesthetics of the two lines of boats are completely different, with the Com-Pac being more traditional/salty and the Precision being more racing/current...pick what you like best.

When we bought the P-28 (for use on the Chesapeake in a slip), the other boat in the running was a CP-23, and would have been our choice (better looking in our opinion) if the dealer had been willing to consider a trade as part of the deal on the CP-23.  We needed something easier to singlehand than our old Newport 28 and both the CP-23 and the P-28 fit that requirement (the P-28 sailed like a giant dinghy).

[kickingbug1]

   like i told carl-----money is a consideration (always is always will be) and if i could afford an eclipse i would have one. shame a guy cant test sail a boat like a car but i think size wise the p 165 might fill the bill for our trailer sailor needs. i often wish that the cp16 was maybe a foot or two longer and a foot wider and not 2000lbs. gas prices being what they are i think i will get a smaller vehicle before i get a bigger one. thanks for the input. i have something to think about over the winter it seems

[Westcoast DAD]

The P 16.5 is an interesting boat I had a neighbor in the dry yard with one. Also recall last fall one capsized on the Great Lakes rough conditions shouldn't have been out there and sorta recall one or two people not coming back alive. Great day sailor for protected water locations nice big cockpit even cooler location built in etc. I like the Precision boats mainly because when everyone else was avoiding the small boat biz they actually built some what decent boats. They are not as cruisy as the Compacs or the Montgomery's but for protected water sailing they aren't bad.

If your looking at the P21 I would put the Capri 22 on the list also

[crazycarl]

Steve,

I owned a Starwind 19 before our Compac.  Both the precision line and Starwinds were designed by Jim Taylor.  Although they were constructed by separate builders, I believe the ballast and hull design are the same.  With 450 lbs. of lead in a shoal keel and a 35 lb. centerboard, the Starwind was much faster and tracked better than our Compac. ( i did have new sails on the starwind) However, the Compac wins hands down when it comes to big wind sailing.  She doesn't heel as much, and just feels much more solid.  She also doesn't roll as much when stepping on and off her.

Also, while the shrouds and stays were lighter on the Starwind, the mast was about 3' longer, larger diameter, and much heavier gauge than our Compac's.  I can raise the mast on the Compac without any help.  With the Starwind I needed a 28lb. counter weight to help bring it up and hold it while securing the fore stay. 

Launching was no different, as the draft is only a difference of 6".

The Starwinds rudder is foiled and the boat was easily steered with a finger or two. (i'm still trying to decide if i should modify it for the compac)

Inside, the Starwind had better amenities.  Shelves that double as back rests when sitting on the aft bunks.  Port and Starboard shelves forward of the bulkhead.  4 covered storage bins under the bunk cushions.  Easy access to the V-birth.  A large storage area under the cockpit.  Drawers under the companionway steps.  A sink. 

Just remember what ever boat you choose, or that chooses you, MAKE THE RIGHT CHOICE OR YOUR OUT OF CLR! 

Your crazy neighbor to the north,  Carl

[kickingbug1]

   like a wise man once sail life is a compromise. and so it goes with a sailboat. the boat has to one---fit in the garage   two-----be pretty easy to rig and launch   three-----be able to be towed by a non- v8 powered vehicle     four---have a 7' beam  and a bit bigger cabin than a cp16     and five----point a bit higher than my 16.   however,  more than likely the next rendezvous will see me sailing the same cp16. thanks for your advice   best to joanie