Design and Construction
The Precision 15 K has a 15-foot hull and a waterline length of 13 feet 9 inches. Its beam is just shy of 7 feet, giving the boat unusual form stability for its length. Reviewers noted that the hull is broad enough to provide stability without acrobatics. Its broad, flattish sections aft also help keep the boat stable off the wind in a breeze.
The boat displaces 600 pounds, including 250 pounds of lead ballast in its 1-foot-8-inch keel. It is light enough to be fast and responsive. The rudder extends considerably deeper than the keel, aiding steering authority in such a small hull.
The side decks are wide enough for comfortable hiking, and their volume helps prevent swamping in a knockdown. Because the K model has no centerboard, there’s no trunk to intrude into the cockpit. That leaves a clear, 9-foot-4-inch-long space for crew and sails.
Rig and Handling
The Precision 15 K carries a simple fractional sloop rig with swept-back spreaders. The mast rises 25 feet 4 inches above the waterline. Its 130 square feet of sail area comprises an 87-square-foot mainsail and a 42-square-foot jib.
A mainsheet traveler and adjustable jib-lead tracks allow close sheeting angles and give a small crew straightforward control over sail trim. In light air, moving crew weight forward lifts the stern out of the water, reducing wetted surface and helping the boat keep moving.
With a 2006 Portsmouth handicap of 96.6 DPN, the Precision 15 K sits among the quicker pocket daysailers of its size.
Cockpit and Accommodations
There are no berths and no cabin to speak of: the Precision 15 K is strictly a daysailer. Its long cockpit and wide side decks make up the usable space, arranged for family sailing or instruction rather than overnight trips.
Removing the centerboard trunk from the K version opens the cockpit floor. It’s a sensible arrangement for a boat intended to introduce new sailors.
Known Issues
The bulb-end plate keel draws only 1 foot 8 inches, so it offers minimal grounding protection. The rudder extends deeper than the keel and is therefore the most exposed underwater component.
The broad side decks are not a structural weakness; their volume helps the boat resist swamping.
The Verdict
The Precision 15 K succeeds as a modern daysailer and trainer without notable handling quirks. Jim Taylor’s broad, flattish hull combines a fixed shallow keel with the stability and responsiveness that families and sailing schools can use without drama. The absence of a centerboard trunk also keeps the cockpit open and uncluttered.
Pros
- Broad beam and flattish aft sections provide stability without acrobatics
- Light 600-pound displacement makes the boat fast and responsive
- Long, trunk-free cockpit suits teaching and daysailing
- Wide side decks support comfortable hiking and help resist swamping
Cons
- Shallow 1-foot-8-inch keel offers little grounding protection
- Rudder extends below the keel, making it the most vulnerable underwater component
- Strictly a daysailer, with no overnight accommodations
