Here is a compact daysailer from Jim Taylor and the Precision people in Florida. This boat was developed from the centerboard model of the Precision 15. It is a modern attempt to produce a daysailer with no germane idiosyncrasies and a more up-to-date performance level.

The Precision 15.

The Precision 15.



The target market for this boat could be family day-sailing, but the 15 would also make a very nice trainer. The hull is broad enough to provide stability without acrobatics. At 600 pounds the boat is also light enough to be fast and responsive. The broad and flattish sections aft mean that the 15 will be stable off the wind in a breeze. In light air you can move crew weight forward and get the tail out of the water to reduce wetted surface. The keel is a bulb-end plate-type with a draft of only 1 foot, 8 inches. The rudder is considerably deeper than the keel. I'd like to see a deeper keel, but I realize that Taylor and Precision have become very adept at doing these minimal-draft appendages.

The cockpit is 9 feet, 4 inches long and the side decks are wide enough for comfortable hiking. The side decks will also help prevent swamping in the event of a knockdown. No centerboard means no centerboard trunk to interfere with the cockpit.

The rig is a simple sloop rig with swept-back spreaders. It doesn't get any more basic than this. There is a mainsheet traveler, and some attention to the vang is all that's needed to take care of leech tension. Jib lead tracks are adjustable for close sheeting angles.

An ideal trainer or family daysailer, providing both versatility and up-to-date performance.

Boat Specifications
LOA15'
LWL13'9"
Beam6'11"
Draft1'8"
Displacement600 lbs.
Ballast250 lbs.
Sail Area130 sq. ft.
L/B2.17.

 

SAILINGlogo-115This story originally appeared in Sailing Magazine, and is republished here by permission. Subscribe to Sailing.