Precision 18 Centerboard Operation

[@berger756]

I own a 21 Precision in SW Florida and you have helped me understand how to properly use the center board. Really appreciated the video! Cheers!

[@hooks1982]

These are very well done. I'm preparing for my first season with a 1988 P21. Keep them coming please! Thank you

[@coalfieldbeelovergerald3687]

Excellent explanation … your clips n diagrams were right on n very clear n helpful.

[@ColoradoSailing]

Many thanks!

[@mandomtn1962]

Excellent videos!

[@ColoradoSailing]

Thank you!

[@sailorjmp1]

Extremely informative and well done video! Thanks for your efforts.

[@Handelson]

Great video...can you do another video talking about the cb hinge pin, access and maintenance on the cb?

[@ColoradoSailing]

I will add that to my list!

[@georgewashington7444]

Well done! I just parked my new to me P18 (1998) in the driveway. Some minor cosmetic work and maintenance and she’ll be ready to cruise Lake Erie. I was fortunate to find a brand new main and hank-on 110% jib stowed under cockpit seats! My main only has 1 reef point so I’ll probably send it in to have a second installed. The boat has a roller-furler installed with 130% rolled on it. I’m still debating about the merits of hank-on vs Roller Furling. I know RF can give you multiple sail plans but efficiency drops as it rolls up. Would love to see a commentary on that!

[@ColoradoSailing]

Headsail shape will suffer as you roll it in. But it’s nice to be able to easily balance the sail plan as you start reefing. Having some canvas up front will give you more drive than sailing mainsail only. Rollers are also a great help when single-handing compared to a hanked-on sail. Of course, you have more potential points of failure with a furler than with a hanked-on sail. For me…it’s just what my boat came with and I like the nostalgia of it… ⛵️

[@BuildFixGo]

Appreciate the video from another Coloradan, as I'm looking at a Precision 18 right now. To clarify, the Montgomery 17 does not have a 550 pound swing keel. Most of the ballast on an M17 is in the shoal keel, exactly like your Precision 18. The centerboard on an M17 is heaver than average though, clocking in at about 170 lbs. compared to the P18's centerboard which is listed at 68 lbs.

[@ColoradoSailing]

Thank you for that info! In my research everything I found on the M17 just said “swing keel with 550 lbs of ballast.” Sometimes it’s very hard to find accurate info… M17 is a great boat though!

[@zackariasthepirate]

Very helpful video as I will be launching my P18 for the first time in a week or so. I have an outboard and sails are in great shape. My launch spot is deep enough, but where Im going is shallow so this is exactly what I needed to know.

[@ColoradoSailing]

Sailing with the CB up will introduce a few (manageable) issues: 1) the boat will not point as high into the wind as with the CB down due to less lateral resistance. 2) the CLR will be further aft so you’ll get more lee helm. You can try a few things to move CE aft to balance it out like: not sheeting in the headsail as tight, furling, adding twist to headsail (move jib cars aft), reducing twist in mainsail by tightening vang or sailing mainsail only. 3) the boat may not tack as well…make sure you don’t release the jib sheet too early…let it backwind and help push the bow through the end of the turn.

[@huntsail3727]

Well done.

[@ColoradoSailing]

Thanks!! 😄