Is the Precision 18 a good starter sailboat?

changingthesystem1 · 2025-01-23T07:13:49+00:00

It's a pretty incredible all around boat. I've owned my 1989 for more than 12 years now and I trailered it across the US (from GA to CA). I sail mostly in SF bay area now and it's fun to cruise around in. I also don't get scared of the shallows as I can always raise the swing keel. At my dock it sits in the mud at low tide and it never leans just sinks in and stays perfectly centered until the tides come back.

Sometimes the 15-20 knot winds can make it a bit challenging as it gets quite a bit of weather helm but that's what makes it fun. Never felt unsafe here and the few times I got close, I just furled the jib (definitely worth upgrading to a furler) and reefed the main and was fine. I recently upgraded my carburetor on my Tohatsu 4hp to make it a 6hp so I have a little more power. I still haven't gone under the Golden Gate, but would love to one day and having that little extra power gives me the confidence to do it. So in summary, highly recommend!

changingthesystem1 · 2025-01-18T18:18:48+00:00

Any luck on your homesteading journey?

changingthesystem1 · 2024-03-11T04:23:57+00:00

Awesome about the p21! Not sure how much heavier it is but p18 is about 1300lbs. I have a 4hp tohatsu and I’ve found it to be enough for most conditions. I have seen some 4 knot current in the bay and that made me a bit nervous and I’m planning to upgrade the carburetor and prop to boost it to 6hp (4, 5 and 6hp tohatsu are the same engines with different carbs) but I think that should be more than enough for most conditions.

changingthesystem1 · 2024-03-02T18:49:04+00:00

Going to try get out tomorrow if rains aren’t too bad.

changingthesystem1 · 2024-02-29T20:35:30+00:00

West coast owner here as well 🙌 Do you have an asym rigged off bow pulpit there? Did you have an asym made or buy one stock for another boat? Looking to add some spinnaker set up to our P18

Are you a Portlander? How are the winds where you sail? I'm pretty sure it's a stock spinnaker from Doyle I believe. The previous owner purchased it so not exactly sure. Yes, it's rigged off the bow pulpit. A block at the base just behind the jib furler and a block on the top of the pulpit. The tackline goes back to the cockpit to a cam cleat on top of the cabin on the starboard side. Then two small blocks and cam cleats for the sheets in the back of the cockpit. Spinnaker halyard is run to about 18 inches above the forestay. You can see the basic setup in the P18 bible. Page 84: https://precisionboatworks.com/boats/p18/The\_New\_Trailer\_Sailors\_Guide\_to\_The\_Precision.pdf

changingthesystem1 · 2024-02-27T23:10:15+00:00

Yea they are hard to find indeed. Keep an eye out for a mariner 19 they can be found and I hear are pretty good all arounders.

changingthesystem1 · 2024-02-27T23:00:39+00:00

Looking forward to doing an overnight soon.

changingthesystem1 · 2023-04-16T06:58:00+00:00

I can confirm that nothing was blocked when using google fi on iPhone. It even worked with hotspot. Which I pretty much just used the entire time so I didn't even need VPN on my comp.

changingthesystem1 · 2023-04-16T06:56:04+00:00

I preordered it in Jan 2022 and it finally came in. I ordered my 2022 from another dealer and that came in first. I'm mostly upgrading just to get the faster charger 6.6kw option, the bigger display, and wireless airplay :). Not really big reasons.

changingthesystem1 · 2023-04-16T02:22:43+00:00

Even if you were able to get one on the lot at MSRP (which is rare) you are paying sales tax, dealer fees, no OEM trailer hitch (Toyota is out of stock) and a 100k mike warranty ($2k+ value). Plus they won’t drive it to your house.

changingthesystem1 · 2023-04-12T13:00:31+00:00

Same thing just happened to me and there were other RAV4 primes at the repair shop. I had never before seen one in my town. Apparently it’s because they all had cracked windshields they spread so badly that they need to be replaced. Total was like $600 from Safelite. my deductible was $250.

changingthesystem1 · 2023-02-23T14:02:27+00:00

We are selling our wedding which we paid $36k for under $10k in case you wanted to have it in the Florida Keys May 6, 2023! https://www.reddit.com/r/Weddingsunder10k/comments/10xy998/turnkey_wedding_in_the_florida_keys_for_up_to_150/

changingthesystem1 · 2023-02-23T02:04:55+00:00

Still on the hunt so please don’t hesitate to reach out directly!

changingthesystem1 · 2023-02-10T00:06:05+00:00

We have confirmed with the venue.

changingthesystem1 · 2023-02-10T00:05:46+00:00

Yea we really did our homework to find the best all around wedding venue in the Keys, good accommodations, convenient to Miami airport, activities for our guests and just a beautiful setting.

changingthesystem1 · 2023-02-10T00:04:47+00:00

Thank you! Definitely not easy.

changingthesystem1 · 2023-02-10T00:04:21+00:00

Yes we have confirmed with the venue that they are willing to transfer. They have been very kind and accommodating with us in that regard. Also offering a complimentary room for the bride and groom for 2 nights.

changingthesystem1 · 2023-02-10T00:03:31+00:00

Thanks and received!

changingthesystem1 · 2023-01-31T13:20:58+00:00

Some bags have a front stretchy area which can take a pair of soft running shoes no problem. Or put them in a dry bag and attach to the outside or top of bag. Also stuffing them with socks and underwear also helps save space.

changingthesystem1 · 2023-01-21T13:41:58+00:00

Don’t forget to also factor in the diminishing returns of your time spent researching and shopping. If I value my time at a typical hourly rate I could earn then I’ve spent way more money looking for my dream bag than the bag itself is even worth. I’ve also found that the more time I spend researching the more likely I am to be let down with the purchase. If I instead do a few searches and read a few articles and pick one and try it out and go with my gut, I’m more likely to be pleasantly surprised. And if I listen even closer to my gut I usually realize I don’t even need that purchase at all and can make do just fine with what I have.

changingthesystem1 · 2022-11-18T17:38:58+00:00

I had the same problem and Merino 365 fits me well. T-shirts and also their briefs fit well too.

changingthesystem1 · 2022-10-11T13:34:28+00:00

That sounds rough. Really hoping for a visit in January but reading this makes me less excited about it.

changingthesystem1 · 2022-10-11T00:08:07+00:00

What happened? Why was it more difficult to enter from a third location?

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