Used Precision 18 Sailboats for Sale

The Precision 18 stands as a definitive example of the "maxi-trailerable" philosophy, a design ethos that prioritizes ease of transport without sacrificing the structural integrity of a blue-water cruiser. Launched in the mid-1980s and designed by the renowned Jim Taylor, the Precision 18 was intended to bridge the gap between flighty centerboard day sailers and heavy, cumbersome fixed-keel pocket cruisers. The hull features a sophisticated keel-centerboard configuration, where a 350-pound internal lead casting provides significant righting moment, while a fiberglass centerboard allows for a shallow 1’6” draft with the board up. This design allows the boat to be launched in knee-deep water yet remain remarkably stiff in a breeze. Throughout its long production run at Precision Boat Works, the model earned a reputation for "quality built-in," a mantra of the Porter brothers who oversaw the construction of every hull to ensure they could withstand the rigors of both coastal chop and highway trailering.