After the last week of sailing my old Prindle 16, I can see that the hulls are slowly falling apart. Even after repairing a couple of spots with epoxy resin injection method, It seems that they are just growing. So I am playing with the idea of getting a "new to me" boat.

So here's the question for all of you. When looking for a new (to me) boat should I go with dagger boards or center boards?

After watching some youtube videos and watching some of the boats with dagger boards tack it seems that it is so much easier and faster. I would also like the ablity to point higher, this would help in a couple of the smaller creeks in that I launch in.

I will be sailing mostly in rivers and the sound of Eastern North Carolina. I sail solo just as much as I sail with crew. But only solo in light to mild conditions. There are a lot of Hobie 18's around here and that is what I am interested in.

Other boats that I am considering are the Hobie 17, and the Prindle 18.2. I really like the Hobie 17 but it does not look like it is to good with a crew on it. I only weight 160 lbs. So I am not sure. The Prindle 18.2 looks like it would be fast and fun but more rigging time?

Sorry to make this post is so long but wanted to get it all out there. I am looking for recommendation on a good boat to sail. I always trailer my boat so rigging time is a issue. I can rig my Prindle 16 in about 20-25 mins. And I am looking for something that is about the same.

Thanks in advanced for any help.

Keith Kinlaw

The rivers you sail in, is there a chance you will hit something under the water? Logs, rocks, sandbar, etc? If so I would recommend staying away from daggerboards.

As you mentioned there are some good benefits to boards, but all it takes is one good grounding to make you wish you never had them. I really like my H18M, one thing I don't like about it is the location of the jib blocks on the hulls. Make it uncomfortable for someone to side partway up the hull if you don't have wings on the boat.

Good luck in your boat search.

--
Scott,
‘92 H18 w/SX wings
‘95 Hobie Funseeker 12 (Holder 12)
‘96/‘01/‘14 Hobie Waves
--

As a former salt water sailor in NJ and NE, I too would shy away from daggers. Sandbars at low tide are killers.

My next boat will not have daggers.

So what do yall think about centerboards like Hobie 17 or Prindle 18.2?

How do they preform in comparison to a boat with dagger boards?

Some of the boats that have centerboards, such as the hobie 21 and hobie 17 have "kick up" centerboards. I am not sure about any other makes though. If the 21 didn't have them I would not have bought it.

tornado's (20' long 10' wide)
mystere's (5.5's and 6.0 models)
prindle (18-2 and 19)
hobies (17 and 21'S)

are the only boats i know with centerboards. they are nice but don't promise "worry free boards" they still can hit bottom (and not kick up) and break the well in your hull (just like boards can) but they usually do kick before breaking (i have only sunk 3 times)

Sharks have them, too.

I have sailed centerboard boats, Prindle 18.2s and 19s, Hobie 17s and some daggerboard boats as well. daggers definitely point better than centerboards, but the kick up feature of the centerboards is really nice. Just don't be sitting on the centerboard well when they kick up!

The 18-2 is a fantastic boat and takes no more time to set up than your 16. My old 18-2, which is REALLY nice is for sale in Hampton, VA. It is a little pricey, but it has fairly new sails and other goodies.

The good thing about the 18.2s and the 19s is that the rudders are shorter, too, so you can go in slightly more shallow water before hitting. However, that is also bad, because when going down wind, sometimes you don't have enough rudder in the water.

If you want your hulls repaired, there is a guy in Portsmouth VA that is VERY good and VERY reasonable.

If you can find a P18-2 they are awesome!!!

I sold my Prindle 16 (pictured) last summer and bought a NACRA 5-2. While I think my new (to me) boat is really cool, fast and points great I have to say that I am not a fan of boards. I sail solo most of the time and it is a drag to have to deal with the boards when I launch and land. Set up time is really not any more than the Prindle but the mast is bigger so I have to use my winch to step it which has taken some practice. Anyway, the jury is still out as to whether I should have kept my P-16.



edited by: Adam_Q, May 19, 2010 - 06:01 PM

Adam, It should be a 1/2 hour jury. The ease of solo sailing a P-16 with a 26' mast vs 28.5' and no boards is a winner. But if you want more power & speed next time around, get a P-16 with a P-18 main. I cut 2' off top P-18 main square topping it(losing 2 sq.ft.). Now I race against H-18, P-18, & Nacra 5.2 and am very competitive here on Big Bear Lake, Ca. Will post our 8 regatta series results at season end. Pete

If you sail where there is a danger of hitting submerged objects, you aren't planning on racing and you solo a lot I agree with Adam, stay away from dagger boards. I LOVE my Nacra 5.2, but I REALLY know my lake and it is unlikely I will ever hit anything and I do find the boards to be a lot of work when soloing. In addition to the centreboard boats you are considering I wouldn't discount the skeg form hull boats such as the Nacra 5.7/570, Nacra 5.0/500 or the shorter Mystere cats and even the Dart. They don't point quite as well as the centerboard cats but they are pretty close. I'm a huge fan of the 5.7 for fun sailing, nice size boat and good blend of performance and simplicity.

--
Dave Bonin
1981 Nacra 5.2 "Lucile"
1986 Nacra 5.7 "Belle"
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
--

Prindle Pete,

I would love to see some pics of your sail that was cut. I was also wondering how much you payed to have this done. I have a set of P18 sails just sitting at the house.