I am looking to purchase my 1st catamaran, never sailed before.
After looking at a lot of boats "For Sale" and reading everything
that I could, I think maybe that the Prindle 18-2 is a boat that
would work well for me. I plan on taking sailing lessons and getting
as much help as I can. I found this boat for sale and I would appreciate
if you would give me your opinion on it. Thanks
The following is the sellers description of the boat.
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The trailer is galvanized with white paint over. New bearings and lights. Two sets of sails with bags. I don't know the material but one set is white fabric and the other is clear with fushia pink and green both r in good shape and crease when wadded up. It does have a jib furling. I don't know if it's sef tacking. Boards and rudders are n good shape and both kick up. The trampoline is a couple years old as well as all the rigging. Trapeese harnesses. Life vest. Boat us ready to sail for many years to come. Recently had complete rerigging Hulls are dry and tight. When the plugs are pulled air expells from the hull. This is a nice boat.

Mojim, if you are looking for a first boat the prindle 18-2 is likely too big a beast to learn on. You need 2 people who know a little bit about what thier doing to handle that boat. You would probably better off getting into a smaller simpler rig like a Hobie 16 or Prindle 16. The Hobie is about the simplest setup there is, it's fast and you can get one pretty inexpensively.

That being said, I recently started on a Nacra 5.2 after about 15 years since I sailed a hobie 16. So it isn't impossible to get into a bigger boat right off.

Check out this catamaran buyers guide:
http://www.sailingproshop.com/catamaran_guide.aspx

D.

--
Dave Bonin
1981 Nacra 5.2 "Lucile"
1986 Nacra 5.7 "Belle"
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
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Hi Dave, I had read about the Prindle 18-2 on the buyers guide that you suggested, that is why I started thinking about a Prindle 18-2.
The following is what they say about it:
If you have sailed very little or want a boat that is more recreational then we will recommend you look at a Prindle 18-2, an almost new Hobie 18, or a NACRA 5.5 SL. All of these boats are gentle enough to get you in to the sport without blowing your socks off! The boats have a high speed potential, but if you want to leave the boat in first or second gear it will behave quite nicely.
The Prindle 18-2 is an exceptionally fun boat! It is light enough to be carried by a family or a couple The centerboards rotate so beaches or other obstacles won't break your boards if you forget to raise them. The 18-2 also has exceptionally good resale value. The Prindle 18-2 is capable of sailing as fast as the larger cats (19-21') but is quite easy to keep under control in even strong wind conditions. The 18-2 will grow with you too. The boat is quite nimble and very maneuverable. There is good class racing and the boat performs quite well in open class racing. State and National championships draw 60-100 boats every year. The best crew weight for this boat is 275-340 lb.

Maybe if I keep it in 1st or 2nd gear I won't kill myself

Ah, if only they had gears!

Like I said, it's not impossible to start on a larger cat (I proved that on my beast). The Prindle is a well behaved cat, I'm not sure about being able to carry it though! If you are really convinced that this it going to be your thing then I sure wouldn't want to discourage you! That's a great boat.

Regards,
Dave

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Dave Bonin
1981 Nacra 5.2 "Lucile"
1986 Nacra 5.7 "Belle"
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
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some Q mojim

how heavy are you?
as best weight for that boat starts at 275lbs...

how will you launch?
it's about 165lbs which can't be pulled up a beach far solo

are there lots and lots of boats to choose from in your area?
maybe it would be possible to buy a 14 or 16 foot boat for even just a year of sailing then resold for the same price a year later when you go for the big time

where will you be sailing?
bigger boats in quiet inland lakes safer than big surf beaches

Get it, take some lessons, don't go out in a big blow for a while.

Welllll, sorry you asked. The last time I checked I was 215 and growing!!
This winter is killing me. I got to get active and lose at least 20 lbs.
I will be launching off of a boat trailer into water that is deep enough.
There are not many catamarans in this area that I am aware of , at least not for sale.
There is a 5.2 Nacra for sale in my area.
I will be sailing on a inland lake about 2 miles from where I live and there are many other lakes here in Missouri as well as Kansas. Also a big lake down in Oklahoma
I will be sailing solo most of the time, but like to get my son and grandsons involved.
I tried to upload a picture of this boat I want to buy, but couldn't do it

your gonna need someone with experience with you on those first few trips to help with the learning curve,cats are trickier than monohulls(tacking). sailing in general takes a little time to get competent(not at all like power boats). good luck!! bill.

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Check out "Prindle Sailors" on Facebook!
bill harris
hattiesburg, mississippi
prindle 16- "BLUE RIBBON"
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I've met a cat sailor not to far from here that has agreed to teach me the basic's maybe I could take my boat to the lake he sails at and he could teach me on it.

Well if you have someone to teach you some that will help alot! I basically had no one to teach me. Get a couple of books too, Catamaran Sailing for the 90's by Rick White is likely the most up to date and complete one right now. I just got his CD of sailing seminars and that seems pretty good too! Although I haven't gone through all of them yet. Sometimes seeing something done is way better than reading about it.

I know I love my 5.2 and solo it quite a bit(in the summer, that is). The Prindle may be a better choice though because of the kick up centreboards and I think its a bit lighter. I don't think you could go wrong with either one. And if you are only planning on buying one boat (i.e. you don't want to buy and sell as you get better) those are good choices.

--
Dave Bonin
1981 Nacra 5.2 "Lucile"
1986 Nacra 5.7 "Belle"
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
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IMHO the 18-2 is an awesome boat, although I've not sailed one, just closely inspected a few of them. Like wolfman, I also love my 5.2, which is almost identical in size. No matter what boat you get you'll probably want/need crew to help learn the ropes so to speak.

--
Rob
OKC
Pile of Nacra parts..
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mojim

There is a 5.2 Nacra for sale in my area.
I will be sailing on a inland lake about 2 miles from where I live and there are many other lakes here in Missouri as well as Kansas. Also a big lake down in Oklahoma
I will be sailing solo most of the time, but like to get my son and grandsons involved.
I tried to upload a picture of this boat I want to buy, but couldn't do it

now you're talking!

http://vimeo.com/5075989

http://vimeo.com/5258062

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RccskorExJY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xc9Lt5Z28Mw

but i'm biased

according to this

http://www.nacra.us/Prindles/Prindle18-2.pdf

the 18-2 is a bit heavier than the 5.2 with more sail area

which is what you would expect for an 18' boat as compared to a 17' boat

the swing up centerboards are easier for solo sailing but the daggers on the 5.2 are better for pointing and in small lakes pointing ability is very useful

but they are pretty close

all else being equal check them both out and buy the best condition one. the 5.2 was made from 1975 to about 1987? later is better, hull numbers starting with NAC.....new foam style with better rig than the older TRRC....boats

best to get the seller to show you how to rig the boat ad maybe try for a few lessons from them if possible




edited by: erice, Feb 07, 2010 - 03:41 AM

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Test

Prindle 18-2 is a great boat, however, sailing solo, I think it would be a beast in anything above 12 knots of wind. Also, if you are going to travel with it, its a big cat to rig solo.
Oh, and always be prepared to swim

mojim, where located, I'm in Columbia MO and would be happy to have you along sailing when it warms up. I sail Thomas Hill Lake, Longbranch Lake and sometimes Mark Twain Lake, I sail a H16 but have been looking at a H18 recently.



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TurboHobo
H14T
H16
P18
G-Cat 5.0
P16
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Quote

I sail Thomas Hill Lake, Longbranch Lake and sometimes Mark Twain Lake

Mark Twain Lake is beautiful sailing in autumn, went there last autumn with my Hobie 18 and damn had some nice wind.
Been there in the summer before though, and roasted in the middle of the lake due to no wind

Jumping into this debate here. I agree with those who are making the point that this is a lot of boat for a beginner who wants to trailer. Its early in the selling season, Wait for the spring market and buy a smaller cat. H16/N5.0 etc. You will be happier.

I would watch out though any of the older hobies are a little tricky to rig solo if you don't have a comp tip. the solid aluminum mast can be quite a handful with a little bit of a breeze and then you have to fasten the forestay while holding the mast up. Hobie does make some solutions to this with their solo setup for your trailer so that might be something to look into.

Both boats are great in their own right. Are they both in similar shape? The 5.2's I've seen in my area had a bit of delam issues on the top deck...

Go sail with and buy Turbo's boat... it will be the best conditioned boat you can find and you will learn from a great sailor (or at least experienced... :) )

the p18 weighs 170 KILO's ... *(NOT POUNDS)
http://www.nacra.us/Prindles/Prindle18-2.pdf

i PERSONALLY think an 18 is a big boat for a new sailor. if you get caught out in a blow... solo.. it will get HAIRY!