In 2003, Sailing World named the Precision 185 its Best Value Well-Done Daysailing Performer. The magazine’s citation neatly summed up the boat’s appeal: good sailing characteristics, substantial construction, and reasonable cost.
Design and Construction
The Precision 185 measures 18 feet 5 inches overall, with a 16-foot 8-inch waterline and a 7-foot 4-inch beam. She carries her volume high and wide.
The builder uses hand-laminated fiberglass construction. The outer skins are vinylester for blister resistance and an improved moisture barrier. The remainder of the laminate combines E-glass reinforcement with polyester resin. Klegecell closed-cell PVC foam provides coring in the deck panels and in areas that require additional hull stiffness.
The hull and deck are separate moldings joined with an overlap joint, with a plastic rub rail fitted along the seam. The deck-stepped mast bears on a substantial fiberglass box beam beneath the deck. This arrangement allows the forepeak locker cutout to sit directly below it.
Positive foam flotation is standard. The fixed-keel version carries about 375 pounds of ballast within roughly 880 pounds of displacement. The centerboard model is considerably lighter at approximately 590 pounds.
Rig and Handling
The 185 has a fractional sloop rig with an anodized mast and boom, stainless steel standing rigging, and Dacron running rigging. Its simple hardware package is primarily from Harken and includes ball-bearing blocks, jib tracks with cars and cam cleats, a 4-to-1 boom vang, and jib-furling gear. A hinged stainless steel mast step helps with rigging, while a 3-to-1 tackle raises the ballasted centerboard.
In puffy conditions, Sailing World found that the Jim Taylor design accelerated quickly and responded well as crew weight moved from leeward to weather and back. The mast bend and mainsail worked well together: the sail flattened when sheeted in during the puffs and powered up when eased in the lulls.
The 185 will sail beautifully under mainsail alone when shorthanded or in heavy weather. Its ballasted centerboard and roller-furling jib also broaden the singlehanding envelope. The board depends on steel ballast to hold it down, but it pivots upward automatically during an accidental grounding.
The kick-up rudder is secured by a line led to a pressure-release Clamcleat beneath the tiller, helping to mitigate impact damage. A tiller extension is also fitted.
Cockpit and Storage
Precision’s daysailers are built around especially large cockpits rather than cuddy cabins, and the 185 follows that approach closely. Its self-bailing cockpit stretches 9 feet 9 inches, with ergonomically shaped seats measuring 8 feet 2 inches long.
Broad deck beam and high-volume side decks provide room to move around. Practical under-deck storage and a large forepeak locker with a watertight door hold gear, while a dedicated secure spot accommodates a portable ice chest. Inspection ports provide access to the rudder gudgeons and the forward storage area beneath the mast, simplifying routine checks.
The stern swim platform is unusual on a boat this size; such features are normally found on large offshore cruisers. Here, it earns its place. It helps swimmers climb back aboard, gives youngsters somewhere to trail their toes, can make boarding from a dinghy easier, and speeds recovery during a man-overboard event.
Centerboard and Keel Arrangements
The centerboard trunk is sealed and carries the mainsheet block. A 3-to-1 tackle raises the ballasted board, which pivots upward automatically if the boat grounds accidentally.
The fixed-lead-keel version is intended for deeper, less sheltered waters. It carries about 375 pounds of ballast and adds four stainless steel lifting eyes for easy handling.
Ownership and Refits
The Precision 185 is a low-fuss trailer-sailer. Its straightforward rigging, high-quality hardware, and accessible inspection points simplify routine ownership. Because the hull-and-deck structure requires no cored-hull vigilance below the waterline, the boat suits owners who would rather spend their time sailing than renovating.
The centerboard model’s approximately 590-pound displacement keeps it light for trailering. The heavier fixed-keel model offers an alternative for sailors who expect to use the boat in deeper, more exposed water.
The Verdict
The Precision 185 is a thoughtfully engineered small daysailer that punches above its length. Taylor’s hull form accelerates readily and responds to crew input. Construction is honest hand-laminated fiberglass with a vinylester outer skin, while the large cockpit and stern swim platform make the boat practical for families as well as solitary sailors.
The choice between a trailerable centerboard model and a ballasted fixed-keel version broadens the 185’s appeal without diluting its fun-first purpose.
Pros
- Lively acceleration and good response to crew-weight changes in a sub-19-foot hull
- Hand-laminated fiberglass construction with a vinylester outer skin for blister resistance
- Very large, self-bailing cockpit with long, ergonomically shaped seats
- Stern swim platform that aids boarding, dinghy access, and man-overboard recovery
- Ballasted centerboard that pivots upward during a grounding
- Sails well under mainsail alone when shorthanded
Cons
- No cuddy cabin or below-decks accommodation; this is a pure daysailer
- The centerboard model is crew-ballasted and requires active weight management when sailing uphill
