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GET READY FOR SUMMER!!! PRINDLE 18 CATAMARAN PROJECT - $500 (Kalispell)
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Prindle
Prindle 18
Prindle 18 Information, Review, Specs
Prindle 18 Drawing
Make
Prindle
Model
18
Builder
Surfglas/Prindle/Lear Siegler
Designer
Geoffrey Prindle
Number Built
2300
Production Year(s)
1977 - ??
The Prindle 18, introduced in 1977, arrived as a refined powerhouse in the beach catamaran era, designed by Geoffrey Prindle to bridge the gap between the nimble Prindle 16 and the later, more complex racing machines. Unlike many of its contemporaries that relied on daggerboards for upwind performance, the Prindle 18 utilizes a symmetrical hull design with deep, molded-in skegs. This design choice was a strategic move to provide high-performance speed while maintaining the "beachability" and simplicity that casual sailors craved. Built originally by Surfglas and later under the Performance Catamarans umbrella, the 18 was engineered to be a "step-up" boat for two-person crews who found the Hobie 16 too prone to pitch-poling or the Hobie 18 too cumbersome to manage on the sand.
Sailing Performance & Handling
The Prindle 18 is often described as a "gentleman’s racer" among vintage beach cats. Because it lacks daggerboards, the boat is remarkably easy to launch and retrieve in shallow water, yet it maintains surprising tracking and pointing ability thanks to its hull profile. The buoyancy distribution is one of its greatest strengths; the hulls carry more volume forward and have a flatter bottom compared to the "banana" hulls of early Hobies, which significantly reduces the tendency to nose-dive (pitch-pole) when reaching in heavy air.
With a sail area of approximately 218 square feet on a platform weighing roughly 335 pounds, the boat possesses a healthy power-to-weight ratio. In light air, the Prindle 18 is sensitive and responsive, but it truly comes alive in 12–18 knots of breeze. Owners often report that the boat feels more rigid and "planted" than the Prindle 16, a result of the larger beam-to-hull connection points. The lack of daggerboard trunks also means the hulls are structurally simpler and less prone to the stress-induced leaking often found in the Prindle 18-2. According to historical technical notes from the designer, the skeg-hull design was a deliberate attempt to maximize the effective lateral plane without the drag and maintenance of boards, making it a favorite for distance racing where hidden shoals or debris might be a factor.
The fleet saw several iterations, including the "Special Edition" models which featured upgraded hardware. However, the most significant sibling is the Prindle 18-2 (or 18.2). While they share a name, the 18-2 is a vastly different beast, featuring asymmetrical hulls, daggerboards, and a larger sail plan designed specifically to compete with the Nacra and Hobie racing circuits of the mid-1980s. For the solo sailor or the family crew, the original Prindle 18 remains the more approachable of the two.
Popular Mentions & Media
The Prindle 18 enjoyed a golden era in the late 1970s and 1980s, frequently appearing in "The Catamaran Sailor" and other period-specific racing journals. While it did not achieve the singular pop-culture ubiquity of the Hobie 16, it was the preferred weapon for serious coastal distance racing. The model gained fame in the "Hog's Breath" and "Worrell 1000" style events where its durability and skeg-hull design allowed sailors to drive hard into the beach without fearing for their daggerboards.
Known Issues & Buyer’s Checklist
Purchasing a Prindle 18 today requires a keen eye for composite fatigue, as most hulls are now several decades old.
Hull Delamination: This is the most critical check. Walk your thumbs along the deck (especially in front of and behind the pylons) and along the hull sides. Any "soft" or "crunchy" feel indicates the fiberglass has separated from the foam core, a common age-related failure that requires a resin-injection repair.
Beam Bolts and Compression: The aluminum crossbeams are bolted through the hulls. Over time, these holes can wallow out or the fiberglass around the compression tubes can crush. Ensure the platform is "square" by measuring diagonally from the same point on each hull; if the measurements differ significantly, the boat will have poor handling and excessive flex.
Rudder Housing Play: The original rudder castings were robust, but the plastic cams and pintles can wear out. Check for excessive "slop" in the steering system, which can make the boat feel unresponsive at high speeds.
Mast Base and Step: Inspect the mast base for corrosion where stainless steel hardware meets the aluminum spar. Also, check the mast step on the forward beam for hairline cracks or signs of deformation from high rig tension.
Community & Resources
The Prindle 18 continues to benefit from one of the most dedicated vintage multihull communities. Technical support, original rigging diagrams, and parts sourcing can be found through the Prindle Class Association, which serves as a vital repository for owners maintaining these classic cats. Additionally, many replacement parts like trampolines and sails are still manufactured by specialty lofts such as Whirlwind Sails and Salty Dog Marine, ensuring that the fleet remains viable for modern sailors.
The Verdict
The Prindle 18 is a robust, thoughtfully designed catamaran that offers a more stable and forgiving platform than its more famous competitors from the same era. It is an ideal choice for the sailor who wants high-speed thrills without the complexity of daggerboards or the hair-trigger pitch-poling tendencies of smaller cats.
Pros:
Superior Stability: More volume in the bows makes it much harder to pitch-pole than a Hobie 16.
Simplicity: The skeg-hull design allows for worry-free beaching and shallow-water sailing.
Durability: Built with a focus on rigidity, the platform holds its shape well if maintained.
Cons:
Weight: Heavier than modern high-performance cats, making it a challenge to move on the sand without high-quality beach wheels.
Aging Fleet: Most available boats will require some level of fiberglass work or hardware replacement.
Upwind Limits: While capable, it will generally be out-pointed by daggerboard-equipped boats like the Prindle 18-2 or Nacra 5.2.
Measurements
Imperial Metric
Construction & Hull
Construction Material
Fiberglass
Hull Type
Catamaran Sailboat
Keel Type
Multihull
Ballast
-
Displacement
335 lbs
Water Capacity
-
Fuel Capacity
-
Dimensions
Length Overall (LOA)
18 ft
Waterline Length (LWL)
17 ft
Beam
7.92 ft
Draft
0.58 ft
Max Headroom
-
Air Draft
-
Hover over a measurement
I
J
P
E
FS
LOA
LWL
Rig & Sails
Rig Type
Fractional Sloop
P (Main Luff)
-
E (Main Foot)
-
I (Foretriangle Height)
-
J (Foretriangle Base)
-
Forestay Length (est)
-
Sail Area
218 sqft
Calculations
Sail Area / Displacement (SA/D) Ratio
72.31
Ballast / Displacement Ratio
—
Displacement / Length Ratio (D/L) Ratio
30.44
Comfort Ratio
1.9
Capsize Screening Formula
4.56
Hull Speed
5.52 kn
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