Prindle 18 to F16 :: Catamaran Sailboats at TheBeachcats.com

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Prindle 18 to F16

MikeMurray

Rank: Lubber

Registered: Jun 11, 2010

Last visit: Jan 02, 2020

Posts: 12
Posted: Feb 25, 2018 - 03:56 PM

I am considering upgrading from a 1985 Prindle 18 to 2012 F16. I self taught myself to sail on a P16 and P18. I don't race and live on a oval lake that is about 1.1 miles x .7 miles. I can solo handle my P18 in most wind and feel very confident. What challenges should i expect? What kind of difference can i expect? Will a lake that size be too small for an F16. Thanks in advance for any advise.
samc99us

Rank: Mate

Registered: Apr 15, 2005

Last visit: Feb 21, 2024

Posts: 574
Posted: Feb 25, 2018 - 04:49 PM

Mike,

Upwind the difference won't be too bad, though expect the F16 to be more nimble, point significantly higher with the boards, and tack much faster. All in all it is probably an easier boat to sail with the self tacking jib, though in much more than 10 kts of breeze you will start to be over powered with the jib and want to run with just the main.

The biggest change will be downwind, running the spinnaker solo is a good amount of work and you need time and space to douse.

I can tell you that in a breeze that lake is going to be challenging. The F16 can pretty easily average 18 kts downwind in 15 kts of breeze, and at that speed it will take you about 3 minutes to cross the lake.

The other factor to consider are the boards; the F16 draws ~3 ft with with the boards down, so if you have a lot of shallow areas in the lake, I suspect you will find them.
MikeMurray

Rank: Lubber

Registered: Jun 11, 2010

Last visit: Jan 02, 2020

Posts: 12
Posted: Feb 26, 2018 - 01:13 PM

Thank you Sam. I already know some of the places that the rudders on P18 hit and with the dagger boards drawing more, the lake will become a bit smaller. My decision now is, buy some new sails for the P18 (invest in that boat) or go with a lighter more modern boat. Can I expect the sailing to be more fun on the F16 (aside from issues you note)?
samc99us

Rank: Mate

Registered: Apr 15, 2005

Last visit: Feb 21, 2024

Posts: 574
Posted: Feb 26, 2018 - 01:57 PM

Answering in reverse order, yes, most definitely the F16 will be more fun to sail. It has higher performance in all conditions, and it will be especially noticeable in light air.

In terms of movement/price, I'd be very surprised that you can get into a 2012 F16 for anywhere near what a Prindle 18+new Prindle 18 sails would be worth/cost. I do have a solid lead on a 2009 Viper F16 in excellent shape that might be clsoer to your budget (send me a pm).

Something else to factor in are the cost of replacement sails on the F16. Take a look at Glaser for pricing, and you'll see that you are approaching $4k for a complete set. Looking at Whirlwind sails, a new main and jib for the Prindle in Pentex (same material) is $2100.

I'll also throw out that A-Cats are pretty cheap to run if you aren't playing the development game and the older boats like the Flyer I's, Marstroms etc. are fairly reasonably priced. They are great singlehanded boats. I do think the F16 is a more versatile platform for solo sailing plus the occasional wife/kid/grandchild.
lakewateree

Rank: Mate

Registered: Oct 31, 2010

Last visit: Oct 24, 2024

Posts: 195
Posted: Feb 26, 2018 - 04:07 PM

I went from a Nacra 500 to an F16 and had been sailing for about a year and a half, my wife (then gf) had about 1 month experience. We took a few licks at the beginning, but never ever regretted the switch. The F16 is a fun boat. We are lighter, 280lbs combined. We were careful about the conditions we went out in, well she would put her foot down at a certain point.

Another factor to consider is if you are trailer sailing or leaving it rigged. The spin boat will add a lot of set up time compared to the P18.

--
Mac
Midlands South Carolina
AHPC Viper USA 366
A Cat USA 366
Super Cat 17
--
bacho

Rank: Mate

Registered: Jun 17, 2011

Last visit: Sep 24, 2023

Posts: 783
Posted: Feb 26, 2018 - 10:41 PM

MikeMurrayCan I expect the sailing to be more fun on the F16 (aside from issues you note)?

Think long and hard on that one. The F16 will be a hoot with the kite up, but is it a win on the whole experience? Some of the most fun we ever had was on the Hobie 18. It seemed plenty fast when no modern boats were on the lake. It was indestructible, easy and fast to rig, it was also cheap. We could pile 4-5 people on it and have a blast. It sucks to lose time on the water because rigging the boat is not worthwhile for the time you have on hand.

That lake sounds awfully small for a fast cat of any flavor.

--
Greenville SC

Offering sails and other go fast parts for A-class catamarans
--
MN3

Rank: Master Chief

Registered: Jun 20, 2006

Last visit: Dec 04, 2024

Posts: 7090
Posted: Feb 27, 2018 - 10:33 AM

QuoteCan I expect the sailing to be more fun on the F16 (aside from issues you note)?

"More fun" depends on your tolerance for more control lines, more rigging time, a little less comfort for crew (due to all the lines everywhere) and your learning curve. Newer boats are more "sensitive" to poor sheeting or weight placement - the older cats are much more forgiving

I agree with all the comments above and would second that if you like your current boat, and don't race or sail with a group of modern boats (that are faster), new sails and maybe some new upgraded lines or blocks would be my suggestion
samc99us

Rank: Mate

Registered: Apr 15, 2005

Last visit: Feb 21, 2024

Posts: 574
Posted: Feb 27, 2018 - 02:59 PM

bacho
MikeMurrayCan I expect the sailing to be more fun on the F16 (aside from issues you note)?

Think long and hard on that one. The F16 will be a hoot with the kite up, but is it a win on the whole experience? Some of the most fun we ever had was on the Hobie 18. It seemed plenty fast when no modern boats were on the lake. It was indestructible, easy and fast to rig, it was also cheap. We could pile 4-5 people on it and have a blast. It sucks to lose time on the water because rigging the boat is not worthwhile for the time you have on hand.

That lake sounds awfully small for a fast cat of any flavor.

+1. I never recommend spinnaker boats to recreational sailors that don't have mast up storage.
pbegle

Rank: Mate

Registered: Mar 12, 2003

Last visit: Feb 19, 2021

Posts: 879
Posted: Feb 27, 2018 - 10:27 PM

We bought new sq top sails for our fleet of P-18's two years ago and while little difference in performance (same sail area), a ton easier to go up & down the mast making rigging a pleasure. Pete
jalex

Rank: Mate

Registered: May 08, 2013

Last visit: Oct 02, 2023

Posts: 508
Posted: Feb 28, 2018 - 07:44 PM

Prindle 18 is a great boat, I always ask people to think twice before trading up

Edited by jalex on Feb 28, 2018 - 08:49 PM.
JohnES

Rank: Mate

Registered: Sep 01, 2002

Last visit: Nov 30, 2024

Posts: 797
Posted: Feb 28, 2018 - 08:32 PM

pbegleWe bought new sq top sails for our fleet of P-18's two years ago and while little difference in performance (same sail area), a ton easier to go up & down the mast making rigging a pleasure. Pete

And yet according to Portsmouth, we have to take a hit due to thier not being class legal sail....

jalexPrindle 18 is a great boat, I always ask people to think twice before trading upEdited by jalex on Feb 28, 2018 - 08:49 PM.

Ditto.... I have owned some real rocket ships in the past (NACRA 5.8, NACRA F18, Inter 20) but I came back to the P18... Has the best fun factor per dollar spent.

--
John Schwartz
Ventura, CA
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MikeMurray

Rank: Lubber

Registered: Jun 11, 2010

Last visit: Jan 02, 2020

Posts: 12
Posted: Mar 02, 2018 - 06:59 PM

Thanks everyone. Your advise is very helpful and appreciated. I think I will pass on the F16 and invest some money in my P18: new sails, new cover and some beach wheels (and a few other bits and pieces.

Thanks again! Mike