Design and Construction
The hull stretches 15 feet on the waterline at 13 feet 9 inches, with a beam just shy of 7 feet that gives the boat unusual form stability for its length. Reviewers noted the hull is broad enough to provide stability without acrobatics, and the broad and flattish sections aft mean the 15 will be stable off the wind in a breeze anchor. At 600 pounds displacement with 250 pounds of lead ballast in a 1-foot-8-inch keel, the boat is light enough to be fast and responsive. The rudder hangs considerably deeper than the keel, which aids steering authority in a hull this small.
The side decks are wide enough for comfortable hiking and, by their volume, help prevent swamping in the event of a knockdown anchor. Because the K model carries no centerboard, there is no centerboard trunk to interfere with the cockpit, leaving a clear, 9-foot-4-inch-long cockpit devoted to crew and sails.
Rig and Handling
The Precision 15 K is a simple fractional sloop with swept-back spreaders, a 25-foot-4-inch mast above the waterline, and 130 square feet of sail area split between an 87-square-foot main and a 42-square-foot jib. A mainsheet traveler and adjustable jib lead tracks for close sheeting angles let a small crew tune the rig without complication. In light air, moving crew weight forward and lifting the stern out of the water reduces wetted surface and keeps her moving anchor. With a Portsmouth handicap of 96.6 DPN (2006), she sits among the quicker pocket daysailers of her size.
Accommodations
There are no berths or cabin to speak of; the Precision 15 K is a daysailer pure and simple. The long cockpit and wide side decks are the entirety of the usable space, arranged for family sailing or instructional use rather than overnighting. The removal of the centerboard trunk in the K version opens the cockpit floor, a sensible choice for a boat meant to introduce new sailors.
Known Issues
The bulb-end plate keel is shallow at 1 foot 8 inches, so grounding protection is minimal, and the rudder extends deeper than the keel and is thus the most exposed underwater component. The broad side decks resist swamping rather than presenting a structural weakness.
The Verdict
The Precision 15 K succeeds as a modern, no-quirk daysailer and trainer. Jim Taylor's broad, flattish hull with a fixed shallow keel gives stability and responsiveness that a family or sailing school can exploit without drama, and the trunkless cockpit keeps the interior honest and open.
Pros
- Broad beam and flattish aft sections deliver stability without acrobatics
- Light 600-pound displacement makes her fast and responsive
- Long, trunk-free cockpit suited to teaching and daysailing
- Wide side decks aid hiking and resist swamping
Cons
- Shallow 1-foot-8-inch keel offers little grounding protection
- Rudder deeper than keel is the most vulnerable underwater part
- Daysailer only; no accommodation for overnight use
