First post here. I've been lurking around reading basically everything I can find here in the last little while, and I must say, this forum is AWESOME.
I've been sailing for about 5 years on my own. I started with a sunfish when I was 14, and had that for a bit, sold it, and bought a seaspray, that got rear-ended on a road trip. Next, I bought a P18 last year, but that was just a tad big to set up mainly by myself, and there's no chance I could right that being 130lbs, and I think even with a crew that weighed as much as me we would have issues. Since then I sold that and bought a P16 which I hope to use this summer. From all those boats, what are the things I should be watching for on the P16 that differ from the rest of them? I'd imagine it's going to be quite similar to the P18, but you guys seem to know all the differences well. Do you think I'll be able to right it myself? If not has anyone managed to put a righting pole on a P16?
Brad
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Brad
Current: P16
Previous: Sunfish, Seaspray, P18
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P16 Nuances
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Posted: Jun 10, 2023 - 04:40 PM
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Posted: Jun 11, 2023 - 04:37 PM
The P-16 is just a smaller version of the 18. Aside from being much easier to set up, the only thing the Sea Spray 15 can do better is tack faster, much faster. The differences between the 16 and 18 are what you would expect, the 16 not quite as fast, less buoyancy but a lot easier to step the mast because there are no diamond wires. However, at being 130 lbs you'll find the boat very responsive and when you're by yourself you'll have a much broader wind range that you can sail comfortably in than the 18. Don't count on being able to right it yourself unless you get very, very lucky with the wind and wave action. I don't know about righting bags, but I think the idea is to put your righting line into the hook on your harness and hold the bag over your shoulder. If you're really concerned about it, a righting pole can be made to work on any boat. What I would do in the meantime is to make sure that mast is absolutely sealed. If you find yourself waiting for help, you don't want to turtle!
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Bill Townsend
G-Cat 5.0
Sarasota
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Posted: Jun 12, 2023 - 12:18 PM
Typical Prindle rudder issues... I would go ahead and replace the horizontal locking bolt for the rudder systems. Over time, they bend very slightly and this will cause you more frustration than you can imagine. Spray everything that moves with the rudder system with your choice of anti-corrosion. I prefer Corrosion Block, it foams up and can get into hard to reach areas. Check the masthead for open areas - make sure it is sealed. you will have much easier time righting without water in the mast. I would grab all the blocks and soak them in a bucket or cooler of water for a couple of days. When you go to use them, spray the moving parts with SailKote. You will be amazed of how much dirt will be at the bottom of the container after soaking them. Other than checking the running and standing rigging, the 16 is very simple. Take a look at the MH sheaves. I would pull and check them. Reinstall with a grease of your preference. A white PTFE works well.
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Scott
Prindle Fleet 2
TCDYC
Prindle 18-2 Mod "FrankenKitty"
Tornado Classic "Fast Furniture"
Prindle 19 "Mr. Wiggly"
Nacra 5.8 "De ja vu"
Nacra 5.0
Nacra 5.8
Tornadoes (Reg White)
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Posted: Jun 12, 2023 - 03:04 PM
Yeah I've tried to think long an hard about a proper way to improve the rudder system, but haven't come up with a good idea yet, since the whole rudder casting assembly is pretty hard to change besides replacing it all together.
As for the blocks, I'll take a look at them and give them a good soak before heading out.
I'll also go and check the mast, it seems like that's the most important part when it comes to righting (based on other posts on this forum).
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Brad
Current: P16
Previous: Sunfish, Seaspray, P18
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Posted: Jun 12, 2023 - 03:09 PM
The seaspray tacked decently, that's true, although it lacked a lot of efficiency in lower winds compared to the 18 I found. It could the just more sail area, or the full length battens, I'm not entirely sure. In the end I found the 18 to be a MUCH nicer boat.
It's not likely that I'll be sailing alone, so the real question is if I could right it with about 240 lbs at a minimum. I'm going to take it out with a couple extra people once and do a test flip, and see how much it really takes. If I can't get it back up with that I'll make sure to be careful before getting a pole rigged up.
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Brad
Current: P16
Previous: Sunfish, Seaspray, P18
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Posted: Jun 12, 2023 - 06:07 PM
I have a special place in my heart for the Seaspray 15 because it was my first cat. Sort of an enigma, because the boat has fast U-shaped hulls with narrow dagger boards but not a very efficient sail plan, looks like it came off a 420. I often wondered what it would do with a taller, narrower main with full battens. An excellent beginner's boat, much better than a H-14, way more forgiving.
You won't have any problem righting a P-16 doublehanded. It's not a big boat.
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Bill Townsend
G-Cat 5.0
Sarasota
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Posted: Jun 12, 2023 - 07:25 PM
Yes the Seaspray was also my first cat and I must agree.... its a great starter. Forgiving, unlikely to pitch-pole, and easy to right.
I would flip the thing with my buddies if the wind died, just to get wet and have fun flipping it back.
I also added a trapeze line to it before it got totalled.... that was fun. Not necessarily meant for it, but hey it worked.
Good to know about the P-16, Thanks!
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Brad
Current: P16
Previous: Sunfish, Seaspray, P18
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