Precision 23 Reviewed

  By Thom Burns

A s you approach the Precision 23 at the dock, you notice that the white hull is neatly trimmed in teak and accentuated by light gray non-skid. This boat has nice lines which welcome you aboard. In new cruising boats, I immediately look for cockpit size and comfort, visibility, and a light, open airy feel in the cabin. The Precision 23 will not disappoint, nor will the friendly folks at Dream Sails located at Bertha Boatworks on the Whitefish Chain just north of Brainerd, Minnesota.

Dream Sails is owned by Craig and Ruth Witrock, two nurses from St. Cloud, Minnesota. Dream Sails rents some boats as well as sell new Precisions and some used sailboats. Craig started in the sailboat business

back in the early 1970's on Lake Pepin where he did boat demos for the Chrysler sailboat dealership in Winona, Minnesota owned by Bill Gernes.

Craig and Ruth Witrock were proud to show off the new Precision 23 as well as their personal boat, a five year old model.

The Precision 23 is a large, cruising trailer-sailer. At 2,450 lbs it is not light, but it has a low trailering profile and can be handled by most sport utility vehicles and many mini-vans. The 23 was designed by Jim Taylor who has designed the entire Precision line. The builder, Precision Boatworks of Palmetto, Florida requested from Taylor and has built a relatively large trailerable sailboat in the older school tradition of shallow lead-ballasted keel with a centerboard for performance.

Taylor claims to have designed a “maxi-trailerable” boat. With the 23’ 5” length and 8’ 6” beam, he may be right at least in term of practicality. The boat, trailer and 500 lbs of gear will put the trailer weight at about 4,000 lbs.

The boat has a fine entry, substantial flare in the topsides forward and wide quarters that taper to a relatively small transom. This combination gives a smooth ride when heeled underway.

The high lift NACA foil sections of the centerboard and rudder are one of the more efficient foils in a boat this size. The alternatives which offer a low profile are a heavy bulb on a retractable keel which saddles the design with a large centerboard trunk, water-ballast with centerboard or a variety of winged keels. I’ve never seen a winged keel perform well on a boat in this size range.

Construction

The hull is hand laminated with ISO/NPG gelcoat finish and a vinylaster resin skin coat. The hull to deck joint is bonded and through bolted. The deck is a sandwich around closed cell PVC foam with plywood inserts under the mast and any other place where through-bolts are used. It has molded in non-skid. There is also some poured-in-place foam stiffeners added in the seat back coamings.

Performance and Handling

The Precision 23 carries a PHRF rating between 225 and 231. This is about the same as the bigger swing-keel Catalina 25. It is lower than the O’Day 25 and 26. The sail area is close to a high performance J-22. When I sailed the boat the winds were light, three to seven knots, with some windless holes. We rigged the boat with Craig's cruising gennaker for added power. The boat sailed quite well on all points of sail.

Craig said he reefs at about 15 knots when cruising.

Later, I met a sailor who trailers his Precision 23 to Florida and sails to the Bahamas regularly. He told me that he went through 10 - 15 foot seas with 25 knot winds and gusts to 40. He said the boat held up well although he was beat up a little. The passage obviously got his attention since he sat in his inflated liferaft in the cockpit until he finished the trip. Precision doesn’t recommend offshore passages with this boat.

The hardware is Harken. The deck is clean with the chainplates placed well inboard, a vital ingredient for upwind performance. The single lifelines open at the 7’ 3” cockpit. The cockpit is roomy with seats built into the stern pulpit. These seats are standard, but they are such a great addition if I had an older model Precision 23 I’d retrofit them. The weakest link from a performance point of view is the lack of a travelor. You might add one initially rather than retrofitting later. The large cockpit has comfortable seats. There is an anchor locker forward, a separate ventilated gas can locker aft as well as a deep and a shallow lazarette for cockpit storage. Seated cockpit visibility is excellent.

The Precision 23’s is well designed below. The interior is open and airy. It has high quality Lewmar opening ports and hatches. There is no compression post breaking up the interior under the mast. The compression post is replaced by a reinforced beam. The forward bulkheads do not compartmentalize the interior. There is a standard porta potti forward port and a galley starboard aft.

The galley has a stainless steel sink with manual water pump, an ice chest with teak step and a two burner alcohol stove.

The cushions and backrest cushions on the shelves seemed to hold up pretty well. I visited Craig and Ruth’s Precision 23 which is five years old. They stay on the boat alot and the cushions look good.

The simple franctional rig features one set of spreaders and chainplates placed well inboard. This allows for better upwind performance and smaller sails to handle forward. The tall aspect main provides most of the power. The main sail has one set of reef points with jiffy reefing. The backstay is split with a short bridle. This rig provides for easy, simple handling while delivering the power for good performance.

The Precision 23 is a mainstream trailerable with plenty of room for camping out for the weekend. The lead ballasted keel and centerboard for performance is a proven design. It is well built and designed with many modern improvements such as the stern perch seats, ergonomic cockpit cowlings and Lewmar opening ports. If you can pull 4,000 lbs around, it’ll give you many trailering options. If you leave it in your marina, it’ll provide a fine small sailing yacht with adequate weekend accomodations. I would add a bigger genoa or a gennaker and a travelor.

The bottom line ... good value in a new boat.

Thom Burns publishes Northern Breezes.

For more info: Bertha Boatworks, 800-450-4500, 218-543-4100 Hoopers Yachts, 612-436-8795, 800-377-8795 Precision Boat Works, 813-722-6601 Sailboat House, 608-849-9200 Sail Iowa, 800-7281301, 515-842-2301.

All contents are copyright (c) 1997 by Northern Breezes, Inc. All information contained within is deemed reliable but carries no guarantees. Reproduction of any part or whole of this publication in any form by mechanical or electronic means, including information retrieval is prohibited except by consent of the publisher.

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New Precision 23 Owner

  • Thread starter gmerrill
  • Start date Jan 16, 2012
  • Brand-Specific Forums

I recently purchased a 2005 Precision 23. Took it out for our first sail this past weekend. Coming from a Compac Legacy 16ft, which is a terrific and tough boat. The cabin design of the 23 was so great as to use as much space as possible. Even though there is only about 51 inches of headroom it wasnt unpleasant to move around in. The companion way hatch is very long, so as to them galley area the headroom you need. The boat was very easy to sail. Sailing with a 110% jib, the windward peformance was fantastic. The sail design enables this boat to really perform. We had a short sail and didn't get to set out on a long reach, but so far I'm impressed. The boat was in excellent condition, with the inside being absolutely like new with no wear and tear evidence at all. The outside exhibited great condition as well. Had to make a few sail repairs, but other than that all is great. Comes with a great trailor and mast raising system. Trailor handles very well and stable. Any other precision 23 owners out there, please reply as I would like to learn more about my new boat. greg perdido key, florida  

Barnacle Bill

The Precision 23 is a great boat. Used to sell them and never heard a complaint.  

31seahorse

Hello and Congratulations, Do you trailer your boat? We looked at a 21 and a 23 about two weeks ago, but bought an 18 this week. Our vehicle might have been challanged by either of the other two boats plus trailer. Day sailing is our plan for the near future. The boat and trailer are undergoing the usual cleaning, refinishing, and recaulking that we give any project boat. I have been reading every review I can find on these boats, and we're getting anxious to get her back into the water. We've scouted two ramps here in Cape Coral and will try the deeper one first unless I can rig the tongue extension by the time the boat is finished. Phil  

Attachments

boat pictures 017.JPG

31seahorse said: Hello and Congratulations, Do you trailer your boat? We looked at a 21 and a 23 about two weeks ago, but bought an 18 this week. Our vehicle might have been challanged by either of the other two boats plus trailer. Day sailing is our plan for the near future. The boat and trailer are undergoing the usual cleaning, refinishing, and recaulking that we give any project boat. I have been reading every review I can find on these boats, and we're getting anxious to get her back into the water. We've scouted two ramps here in Cape Coral and will try the deeper one first unless I can rig the tongue extension by the time the boat is finished. Phil Click to expand

Jackdaw

Barnacle Bill said: The Precision 23 is a great boat. Used to sell them and never heard a complaint. Click to expand

Hello Greg, Thanks for the response. Our boat is a week or two of hard work from her relaunch. We are putting parts back on the hull instead of tearing more off! I call that progress. We plan to sail on Charlotte Harbor and on the Caloosahatchee River here between Ft Myers and Cape Coral. We are excited about all the good comments regarding these boats. Phil  

Ross S

Congrats on the new boat! I weekend sail a Precision 21 and found it to be a great little boat. It's my first boat and I'm a new sailor. The performance is exciting yet still forgiving of my (many) newbie mistakes! The 21 cabin is a lot smaller than your 23 but the wife and I still find it suitable for sleeping on during the summer. Enjoy the new boat!  

We looked real hard at a 21 and came close to buying a new one, because of the price difference for 2 ft. We were fortunate to have found a good used one before we pulled the trigger on a new one. In looking at the 21 it really had a good layout and didn't see giving up much as for as the cabin layout. Can't find anything bad about the boats yet. Oh do remember to recaulk or seal where your shrouds go through cabin deck once a year. I think 3M 5200 is what you are suppose to use. This is just maintenance, but in looking I saw a few p23's which had water streaks in the area. Greg  

We're really happy with our boat and I think you'll like yours too. They're really nice, well thought out boats. They can really get moving too, I'm sure you'll surprise some larger boats when you sail by! I think the chainplates on all boats will eventually leak if not maintained. Precision Boatworks one and only adhesive for literally everything is the 3M 5200. If it's glued down from the factory then it's guaranteed to be 5200. Tenacious stuff, but not necessarily always the best choice in my opinion especially for maintenance items like chainplates. My chainplates are still dry after two years but when the time comes I'm going to use butyl tape in lieu of the 5200. It should last longer and still be easier to remove when required.  

When I purchased my boat I added some "baby stays". $198 installed all stainless. They attached to the mast when putting up or down. A must when lowering or raising the mast. Especially in the wind. I have seen some elaborate setups that does the same thing, but these are really simple to attach and use.  

Can you post some details of your baby stays? I have been thinking of doing the same thing and am curious as to how you did it.  

Sorry in taking so long to reply about the baby stays. I do not have the specs, there are two pieces of cable configuerations. they attach to the bottom at the 2nd and 3rd lifeline stanchions on each side attaching to a single connection on each side of the mast. The cables are measured to specific lengths so that when you bring the mast up or down, it does not bind nor does it sway. I got mine at Rooke sails in Memphis, you can google them. They could probaly send you the hardware and instructions on how to install them. The best money I ever spent. Greg  

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Thoughts on the Precision 23

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I have been looking and researching many different kinds of boats, from daysailers to pocket cruisers up to 26 feet in length. One that has caught my attention is the Precision 23. It is a trailerable pocket cruiser, weighing 2495 lbs dry. With trailer and 500lbs of gear, could weigh in at 4000 lbs, within reach of a mid-size SUV or truck. Reviews that I have read state that mast stepping can be done by one person (better with two people) in less than 30 minutes, and launching and retrieval are relatively easy. Does anyone on these boards have any experience, or knowledge of the Precision 23, and what would you see as its strengths and weaknesses. Is this a good boat for weekend cruising? Thanks in advance.  

precision 23 sailboat review

You could do a lot worse than a Precision 23. They are well built and well laid out pocket cruisers. And don't forget to check the boat reviews.  

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precision 23 sailboat review

PRECISION 23 Detailed Review

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If you are a boat enthusiast looking to get more information on specs, built, make, etc. of different boats, then here is a complete review of PRECISION 23. Built by Precision Boat Works and designed by Jim Taylor, the boat was first built in 1986. It has a hull type of Keel/Cbrd. and LOA is 7.14. Its sail area/displacement ratio 21.89. Its auxiliary power tank, manufactured by undefined, runs on undefined.

PRECISION 23 has retained its value as a result of superior building, a solid reputation, and a devoted owner base. Read on to find out more about PRECISION 23 and decide if it is a fit for your boating needs.

Boat Information

Boat specifications, sail boat calculation, rig and sail specs, contributions, who designed the precision 23.

PRECISION 23 was designed by Jim Taylor.

Who builds PRECISION 23?

PRECISION 23 is built by Precision Boat Works.

When was PRECISION 23 first built?

PRECISION 23 was first built in 1986.

How long is PRECISION 23?

PRECISION 23 is 6.1 m in length.

What is mast height on PRECISION 23?

PRECISION 23 has a mast height of 8 m.

Member Boats at HarborMoor

Review of Precision 23

Basic specs..

The hull is made of fibreglass. Generally, a hull made of fibreglass requires only a minimum of maintenance during the sailing season. And outside the sailing season, just bottom cleaning and perhaps anti-fouling painting once a year - a few hours of work, that's all.

The boat equipped with a fractional rig. A fractional rig has smaller headsails which make tacking easier, which is an advantage for cruisers and racers, of course. The downside is that having the wind from behind often requires a genaker or a spinnaker for optimal speed.

CentreBoard

The Precision 23 is equipped with a centreboard keel. A centreboard keel is a pivoting lifting keel, allowing to sail both coastal and inland waters.

The boat can enter even shallow marinas as the draft is just about 0.59 - 0.69 meter (1.94 - 2.24 ft) dependent on the load.

Sailing characteristics

This section covers widely used rules of thumb to describe the sailing characteristics. Please note that even though the calculations are correct, the interpretation of the results might not be valid for extreme boats.

Sorry, we have no sailing characteristics available for this boat.

Sailing statistics

This section is statistical comparison with similar boats of the same category. The basis of the following statistical computations is our unique database with more than 26,000 different boat types and 350,000 data points.

What is a Ballast Ratio?

Maintenance

Are your sails worn out? You might find your next sail here: Sails for Sale

If you need to renew parts of your running rig and is not quite sure of the dimensions, you may find the estimates computed below useful.

UsageLengthDiameter
Mainsail halyard 21.3 m(69.9 feet)8 mm(5/16 inch)
Jib/genoa halyard21.3 m(69.9 feet)8 mm(5/16 inch)
Spinnaker halyard21.3 m(69.9 feet)8 mm(5/16 inch)
Jib sheet 7.8 m(25.4 feet)10 mm(3/8 inch)
Genoa sheet7.8 m(25.4 feet)10 mm(3/8 inch)
Mainsheet 19.4 m(63.6 feet)10 mm(3/8 inch)
Spinnaker sheet17.1 m(55.9 feet)10 mm(3/8 inch)
Cunningham3.2 m(10.5 feet)8 mm(5/16 inch)
Kickingstrap6.4 m(21.0 feet)8 mm(5/16 inch)
Clew-outhaul6.4 m(21.0 feet)8 mm(5/16 inch)

This section is reserved boat owner's modifications, improvements, etc. Here you might find (or contribute with) inspiration for your boat.

Do you have changes/improvements you would like to share? Upload a photo and describe what you have done.

We are always looking for new photos. If you can contribute with photos for Precision 23 it would be a great help.

If you have any comments to the review, improvement suggestions, or the like, feel free to contact us . Criticism helps us to improve.

Precision: Small, Fast, and Fun

Small, fast, and fun.

Cruisers | Daysailors | Crossover | Frequently Asked Questions

We have designed our share of large yachts, but our enthusiasm for small boats remains undiminished. Small-boat sailors derive every bit as much satisfaction from their modest craft as jet-setters do from their big ones, and we approach our smaller designs as no less significant, only less big. We take great pride in applying the same standards to all our work.

We are also proud of our long term association with Precision Boatworks, www.precisionboatworks.com which began in 1984 with the Precision 18 and continued until they ceased new boat production 35 years later. Precision shared our commitment to, and pride in, doing small boats well. Their tooling was exquisite, and it produced attractive, stylish, high quality molded parts throughout their model line, from the Precision 15 to the Precision 23. They built to an equally high standard, with materials that are chosen and used carefully, and with quality rigging and hardware that is appropriate for the intended use. Their boats were carefully built to their designed weights, and they are rugged, reliable, and long lasting. Stylish looks, lively performance, and fun sailing are all top priorities for both designer and builder on all Precision sailboats.

The essential ‘Precision DNA’ that is central to the performance, style, modest draft and easy trailering of each Precision model is common to them all, but there are differences that give them their individual appeal.

The Precision cruisers all feature a keel/centerboard underbody that combines modest draft when with the board is up, with excellent windward performance when the board is down. The ballast is secured deep in the fixed keel cavity to maximize stability. The board itself is only heavy enough to drop on its own, so that it can be raised and lowered with one hand, and so that stability is not reduced significantly when it is up.

Precision 18

The Precision 18 was designed to be the smallest boat that could be practically cruised, and still be easily trailered by a relatively small car. She has a remarkably loyal following, and is still in active production after nearly 30 years.

Precision 21

Not too big, not too small, and for some, just right. Designed to fit right between the Precision 18 and Precision 23, the Precision 21 was intended to appeal to sailors requiring neither the minimum cost of a mini-, nor the extra space of a maxi-trailerable. I recently encountered a Marblehead family of four going out for an evening sail, and they could hardly have been happier or more complementary about their boat. They said that their Precision 21 suits them perfectly.

Precision 23

Targeted to be the biggest cruiser that could be practically trailored behind a family car, the Precision 23 is an enduring benchmark for her size and type. She has successfully completed some surprisingly long passages, and has earned an impressive number of rewarding wins in club level racing.

Precision 27-28

The P-27 became the P-28 with the addition of a swim step in an extended transom.  These were only boats in the Precision line that featured an inboard diesel auxiliary and optional wheel steering.  This step up in specification proved to be a challenge for their dealer network at the time, so not a lot were produced, but the boats are comfortable and sailed well, and are quite popular with their owners.

The Precisions daysailors have especially large cockpits, and no cuddy cabins. They are both built in two versions, one as a crew ballasted pure centerboarder for ready trailering, and another that is a bit heavier with a fixed lead keel for added stability.

Precision 15 and Precision 15K

The Precision 15 was intended as an entry level family boat, with pricing and practicality to suit. Precision 15’s are easy to rig, easy to handle, and rewarding to sail. They achieve a nice balance between rewarding performance and reliable seakeeping, which they combine with ample stability. In addition to facilitating family fun, Precision 15’s are in wide use as trainers in community sailing programs.

Precision 185 and Precision 185K

The Precision 185 expands on the broad appeal of her smaller sister by adding an extra dose of acceleration and speed to her performance profile. She was recognized by Sailing World magazine as a Boat of the Year for her “combination of good sailing characteristics, substantial construction, and reasonable cost.” Her swim platform at the transom contributes to the fun by getting swimmers back aboard more easily and allowing youngsters to trail their toes in water. This ‘back porch’ can also contribute to safety by facilitating boarding from a dinghy, and recovering from an accidental ‘man overboard’ incident more easily and quickly. For some sailors, the Precision 185K keel version may be better suited for deeper, less sheltered waters.

Transit 380

The T_380 design ( www.transit380.com ) is intended to suit young sailors who are making the transition from the single-handed Optimist pram to high performance double-handed dinghies. Most kids ‘size out’ of the Opti at about 115 pounds, and between the ages of 11 to 14. After years of sailing alone in prams, many are also looking forward to sailing together with friends. Many do not yet have the sailing skills and experience required to handle a Club 420, however, and expecting them to do so is a bit like handing a new driver the keys to a Porsche. For decades, the Blue Jay and Widgeon (among others) have filled this gap, but time and technology have long since passed these boats by. The Transit_380 brings modern materials and carefully ‘kid centered’ design detailing to a contemporary version of this transitional mid boat.

Precision 165

Precision 165 combines the low trailer weight and reasonable cost of a daysailor with the ‘get out of the weather’ cuddy cabin and on-board toilet facilities of a small cruiser. She is offered with a fixed lead keel only, and performs very nicely with just a 21 inch deep draft. The term ‘crossover’ may be overused these days, but it does describe the appeal of the Precision 165 especially well.

The C-26 ( www.colgate26.com ) was built under contract by Precision Boatworks , and marketed by Steve Colgate. The boat was originally designed as a trainer for Steve’s well known Offshore Sailing School, and is very much a collaboration between Steve and Doris (basic concept and specifications), Jim Taylor (design detailing), and Precision (tooling and construction). The C-26 was so well received that she was soon marketed directly to the public, and she was recognized by Sailing World magazine as a Boat of the Year . SW judge Bill Lee wrote, “Not only did I find the Colgate 26 to be a good trainer but also I found myself applauding her for being an excellent sailboat in her own right. (She) appears (ruggedly built) relative to most modern sport boats and I found … excellent glasswork and construction quality with good attention to detail…She represents tremendous value on today’s market.” The C-26 was chosen by the US Coast Guard, US Navy, and Maine Maritime Academies for both instruction and intercollegiate competition, and she is in active production (now by Waterline Systems) with nearly 400 boats built to date.

FAQ’s ABOUT SIMILAR TAYLOR DESIGNS

Before our association with Precision Boatworks, we designed several other small cruisers that were produced by various builders, none of which currently provide support or parts to current owners. We are often asked about them, and offer the following background:

Spectrum 22

Chronologically the first of these small trailerable designs, she was commissioned by Spectrum Yacht Corp, which had a modestly successful production run. (See Spindrift 22, below)

Starwind 19

Wellcraft commissioned the Starwind 19 in the early ’80’s, and did a nice job building a lot of them (400?) before they realized that they could make much more money per square foot of factory space building powerboats. They built good quality boats to our Starwind 19 and Starwind 27 designs, before they went back to all power. The Starwind 223 was not our design.

Spindrift/Starwind

Rebel Industries bought the molds for the Starwind 19 and Spectrum 22, and built a handful of boats, not always wisely or well. They marketed the Starwind 19 variously as the Starwind 19, Starwind 190, and Spindrift 19, but left the boat essentially unchanged from the orginal Wellcraft version. They retooled the Spectrum 22 without our permission or input, as the Spindrift 22.

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  • Sailboat Guide

Precision 23

Precision 23 is a 23 ′ 5 ″ / 7.1 m monohull sailboat designed by Jim Taylor and built by Precision Boat Works starting in 1986.

Drawing of Precision 23

  • 2 / 15 Sarasota, FL, US 2000 Precision 23 $8,000 USD View
  • 3 / 15 Sanford, FL, US 2001 Precision 23 $16,000 USD View
  • 4 / 15 Sarasota, FL, US 2000 Precision 23 $8,000 USD View
  • 5 / 15 Sanford, FL, US 2001 Precision 23 $16,000 USD View
  • 6 / 15 Sarasota, FL, US 2000 Precision 23 $8,000 USD View
  • 7 / 15 Sanford, FL, US 2001 Precision 23 $16,000 USD View
  • 8 / 15 Sarasota, FL, US 2000 Precision 23 $8,000 USD View
  • 9 / 15 Sanford, FL, US 2001 Precision 23 $16,000 USD View
  • 10 / 15 Sarasota, FL, US 2000 Precision 23 $8,000 USD View
  • 11 / 15 Sanford, FL, US 2001 Precision 23 $16,000 USD View
  • 12 / 15 Sarasota, FL, US 2000 Precision 23 $8,000 USD View
  • 13 / 15 Sanford, FL, US 2001 Precision 23 $16,000 USD View
  • 14 / 15 Sanford, FL, US 2001 Precision 23 $16,000 USD View
  • 15 / 15 Sanford, FL, US 2001 Precision 23 $16,000 USD View

Rig and Sails

Auxilary power, accomodations, calculations.

The theoretical maximum speed that a displacement hull can move efficiently through the water is determined by it's waterline length and displacement. It may be unable to reach this speed if the boat is underpowered or heavily loaded, though it may exceed this speed given enough power. Read more.

Classic hull speed formula:

Hull Speed = 1.34 x √LWL

Max Speed/Length ratio = 8.26 ÷ Displacement/Length ratio .311 Hull Speed = Max Speed/Length ratio x √LWL

Sail Area / Displacement Ratio

A measure of the power of the sails relative to the weight of the boat. The higher the number, the higher the performance, but the harder the boat will be to handle. This ratio is a "non-dimensional" value that facilitates comparisons between boats of different types and sizes. Read more.

SA/D = SA ÷ (D ÷ 64) 2/3

  • SA : Sail area in square feet, derived by adding the mainsail area to 100% of the foretriangle area (the lateral area above the deck between the mast and the forestay).
  • D : Displacement in pounds.

Ballast / Displacement Ratio

A measure of the stability of a boat's hull that suggests how well a monohull will stand up to its sails. The ballast displacement ratio indicates how much of the weight of a boat is placed for maximum stability against capsizing and is an indicator of stiffness and resistance to capsize.

Ballast / Displacement * 100

Displacement / Length Ratio

A measure of the weight of the boat relative to it's length at the waterline. The higher a boat’s D/L ratio, the more easily it will carry a load and the more comfortable its motion will be. The lower a boat's ratio is, the less power it takes to drive the boat to its nominal hull speed or beyond. Read more.

D/L = (D ÷ 2240) ÷ (0.01 x LWL)³

  • D: Displacement of the boat in pounds.
  • LWL: Waterline length in feet

Comfort Ratio

This ratio assess how quickly and abruptly a boat’s hull reacts to waves in a significant seaway, these being the elements of a boat’s motion most likely to cause seasickness. Read more.

Comfort ratio = D ÷ (.65 x (.7 LWL + .3 LOA) x Beam 1.33 )

  • D: Displacement of the boat in pounds
  • LOA: Length overall in feet
  • Beam: Width of boat at the widest point in feet

Capsize Screening Formula

This formula attempts to indicate whether a given boat might be too wide and light to readily right itself after being overturned in extreme conditions. Read more.

CSV = Beam ÷ ³√(D / 64)

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Specifications

LOA - 18' 5''
LWL - 16' 8''
BEAM - 7' 4''
DRAFT, Board up - 6"
DRAFT, Board down - 4' 10"
DRAFT, Fixed Keel Version - 3' 6"
Displacement:
  »Centerboard Model - 590 lbs. (approx.)
  »Fixed Keel Model - 880 lbs. (approx.)
Ballast, Fixed Keel Version 375 lbs. (approx.)
Sail area - 181 sq. ft.
Mast height above DWL - 27' 3"
Designer: - Jim Taylor


Awards


2003 Boat of The Year for Best Value

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The first offerings from PRECISION BOATWORKS nearly 20 years ago were open daysailors with a focus on good all around performance, and they have come full circle with their new PRECISION 185. In the interim, all but one of our eight previous PRECISION designs have featured enclosed interiors as part of their appeal. Only the PRECISION 15 (and PRECISION 15K) have been open boats, offering the joy of small boat sailing in its purest, simplest form. The P-15 design focused on stability, safety, lively performance and reliable handling, and she has been a huge success. The new PRECISION 185 expands on the broad appeal of her smaller sister by adding an extra dose of acceleration and speed to her performance profile.

The ‘big daysailor’ type is still probably best defined by the Lightning, Rhodes 19 and Flying Scott, all old favorites introduced nearly forty years ago. There has not been a great deal of innovation and development in this market for some time, and various new offerings have come and gone without making much of an impact. The PRECISION 185 will make her mark by using true state-of-the-art design and construction technology to combine vastly improved ergonomics and higher performance with low weight, low maintenance, and low cost. Comfortable seating, computer-shaped hull and fins, and precise tooling will all contribute to the appeal of this ‘new century’ competitor.

Like her smaller sister, the PRECISION 185 features a large, self-draining cockpit, a secure spot for a portable ice chest, practical under-deck storage, straightforward rigging, and high quality hardware. Her swim platform at the transom is an unusual feature usually reserved for large offshore cruisers. In addition to contributing to the fun by getting swimmers back aboard more easily and allowing youngsters to trail their toes in water, this ‘back porch’ can contribute to safety by facilitating boarding from a dinghy, and recovering from an accidental ‘man overboard’ incident more easily and quickly.

The performance parameters of the PRECISION 185 are not intended to put her in the realm of a ‘crash and burn’ Australian 18 skiff, but they will give her the kind of acceleration and speed that will turn heads and quicken the pulse when desired. She will offer speed, stability and control over a wide range of conditions that will be the envy of both her classic and contemporary competitors. She will sail beautifully under main alone when shorthanded or in heavy weather. Her broad deck beam and high-volume side decks will help keep her crew dry, and maximize her resistance to capsize. She shares the careful balance and dynamic stability that have earned the PRECISION 15, 165, 18, 21, 23 and 28 their well-earned reputations as lively, reliable performers in all conditions.

PRECISION BOAT WORKS continues to focus entirely on small boats, and their long experience and expertise in this market is second to none. They have built all of our PRECISION designs with meticulous care, and their commitment to high-quality construction is unwavering. We share their pride in everything they build, and we are confident that the new PRECISION 185 will quickly earn her place as a worthy addition to their well-respected line.

Jim Taylor

Standard Equipment

  • Hand laminated fiberglass construction
  • Vinylester resin hull skin coat
  • Positive Foam flotation
  • 9 ft. 9 in. Self bailing cockpit
  • 8' 2'' Long Ergonomically correct cockpit seats
  • Stern swim platform/boarding area
  • Large forepeak locker w/watertight door
  • Ballasted fiberglass NACA foil centerboard
  • Sealed centerboard trunk w/mainsheet block
  • 4 Mooring cleats (Fixed keel version has 4 Stainless Steel Lifting eyes/mooring eyes)
  • Kick-up rudder (Fixed keel version has fixed rudder blade)
  • Tiller extension
  • Harken ball bearing blocks
  • Harken Jib track with cars and Harken cam cleats
  • Harken 4 to 1 boom vang
  • Anodized mast and boom
  • Hinged Stainless Steel mast step
  • Stainless steel standing rigging
  • Dacron running rigging
  • Stainless steel bow eye
  • Harken Jib Furling Gear
  • High Performance Mainsail and Furling Jib



» » Link to the Precision 185 Reviews

Notice: All pricing subject to change without notice, FOB Palmetto, Florida. Prices do not include transportation to the dealer, state & local taxes, dealer preparation (commissioning) bottom paint, ground tackle or safety gear. Please consult with your authorized Precision dealer to select and budget for these additional items.

IMAGES

  1. Precision Boat Works Precision 23 Technical Details

    precision 23 sailboat review

  2. Precision 23

    precision 23 sailboat review

  3. Precision 23 Sailboat

    precision 23 sailboat review

  4. Precision 23

    precision 23 sailboat review

  5. 1989 Precision 23

    precision 23 sailboat review

  6. 1990 Precision 23 sailboat for sale in Florida

    precision 23 sailboat review

COMMENTS

  1. Precision_23

    The Jim Taylor-designed Precision 23 achieves stability with fixed ballast and a shallow keel/centerboard configuration. With the board up the minimum draft is just under 2 feet; draft increases to 5 feet, 4 inches with the board down. ... Review: Windelo 50, SAIL Top 10 Best Boats 2025 Nominee. I was aboard Joule, the latest version of the ...

  2. Precision 23

    The 23 was designed by Jim Taylor who has designed the entire Precision line. The builder, Precision Boatworks of Palmetto, Florida requested from Taylor and has built a relatively large trailerable sailboat in the older school tradition of shallow lead-ballasted keel with a centerboard for performance. Design. Taylor claims to have designed a ...

  3. New Precision 23 Owner

    14. Precision P23 perdido key florida. Jan 16, 2012. #1. I recently purchased a 2005 Precision 23. Took it out for our first sail this past weekend. Coming from a Compac Legacy 16ft, which is a terrific and tough boat. The cabin design of the 23 was so great as to use as much space as possible. Even though there is only about 51 inches of ...

  4. Thoughts on the Precision 23

    One that has caught my attention is the Precision 23. It is a trailerable pocket cruiser, weighing 2495 lbs dry. With trailer and 500lbs of gear, could weigh in at 4000 lbs, within reach of a mid-size SUV or truck. Reviews that I have read state that mast stepping can be done by one person (better with two people) in less than 30 minutes, and ...

  5. Precision 23

    The Precision 23 is a 23-foot sailboat with a fixed keel, a centreboard and a kick-up rudder. It is designed by Jim Taylor and built by Precision Boat Works in Florida. Read the review of its features, performance and cabin space.

  6. Precision 23

    Precision 23. As a trailer boat sailor - one of life's guilty pleasures is casting off from the dock early in the season, against the backdrop of the busy boatyard - heading out to sail while those left on land await the arrival of the crane - "a couple of weeks from now". So while the boat yard in Port Dover Ontario bustled with ...

  7. PRECISION 23

    It takes into consideration "reported" sail area, displacement and length at waterline. The higher the number the faster speed prediction for the boat. A cat with a number 0.6 is likely to sail 6kts in 10kts wind, a cat with a number of 0.7 is likely to sail at 7kts in 10kts wind. KSP = (Lwl*SA÷D)^0.5*0.5

  8. PRECISION 23: Reviews, Specifications, Built, Engine

    If you are a boat enthusiast looking to get more information on specs, built, make, etc. of different boats, then here is a complete review of PRECISION 23. Built by Precision Boat Works and designed by Jim Taylor, the boat was first built in 1986. It has a hull type of Keel/Cbrd. and LOA is 7.14. Its sail area/displacement ratio 21.89.

  9. Precision 23

    Precision 23 with alternate port installation. In a 2010 review Steve Henkel wrote, "In 1994, former Precision sales manager, the late Larry Norris, gave me his own description of the traditional, shoal-draft Precision 23 when I was writing a review of the boat for Practical Sailor.

  10. Review of Precision 23

    The Precision 23 is equipped with a centreboard keel. A centreboard keel is a pivoting lifting keel, allowing to sail both coastal and inland waters. The boat can enter even shallow marinas as the draft is just about 0.59 - 0.69 meter (1.94 - 2.24 ft) dependent on the load.

  11. Precision: Small, Fast, and Fun

    Precision 15 and Precision 15K. The Precision 15 was intended as an entry level family boat, with pricing and practicality to suit. Precision 15's are easy to rig, easy to handle, and rewarding to sail. They achieve a nice balance between rewarding performance and reliable seakeeping, which they combine with ample stability.

  12. Sailing Small Living Large: Sailors Who Love their Small Boats

    PRECISION 23. I started sailing in 2004 on a Precision 23 that I purchased at an auction. In 2007, I upgraded to a 2005 Precision 23, Purr'n, named after my cat. ... Review: Windelo 50, SAIL Top 10 Best Boats 2025 Nominee. I was aboard Joule, the latest version of the Windelo 50, twice before I ever sailed her—the first time at the Cannes ...

  13. Rhodes 22 vs Com-Pac 23 vs Precision

    The new issue of Sail has a review of 5 'Pocket Cruisers'. The Rhodes wasn't one of the boats tested, but was listed at the end of the article where they provided contact info for a longer list of boats. ... Shortly after we sold our Precision 23 we took a demo sail on an F-24 at the St. Pete boat show, in the early 90s. There was a pretty good ...

  14. Precision 23

    I have been looking at getting a Precision 23 in the far future (no space at the moment but a man can dream) Anyone else have one and care to share their experience, likes and dislikes. I have an old 1984 Precision 16 open top sloop, which is a great boat for 2-4 people daysailing, but would like to get a bigger trailerable boat at some point ...

  15. Precision Boat Works

    Sail area - 248 sq. ft. Mast height above DWL - 35' 4" Designer: -- Jim Taylor. Design Comments : Considered to be a "maxi-trailerable", the Precision 23 far outstrips many boats in terms of true usable space, both on deck and below. ... The Precision 23 is a well thought out, meticulously detailed and carefully constructed trailerable cruiser ...

  16. Precision 23 Sailboat is Flexible and Fun!

    Precision 23 Sailboat for sale is roomy and stable on the water. Trailer-sailer with upgrades. Northern Sails. Take a tour of this small boat with big amenit...

  17. Precision 23

    Precision 23 is a 23′ 5″ / 7.1 m monohull sailboat designed by Jim Taylor and built by Precision Boat Works starting in 1986. Great choice! Your favorites are temporarily saved for this session.

  18. Precision Boat Works

    Sail area - 181 sq. ft. Mast height above DWL - 27' 3" Designer: - Jim Taylor. Awards. ... the careful balance and dynamic stability that have earned the PRECISION 15, 165, 18, 21, 23 and 28 their well-earned reputations as lively, reliable performers in all conditions. ... » » Link to the Precision 185 Reviews #1 #2 » » Link to the ...