Compac 17 vs Precision 18

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Jan 25, 2008
176
Hunter 25 -
I'm wanting reviews anyone can share about the pros and cons of these two boats comparison.
Compac 17 Vs Precision 18....?

Thank you guys I advance..... never to old to ask.;)
also is the Colgate designer the same as Precision?
 

Ross S

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Oct 20, 2011
120
Precision 21 Great Sacandaga Lake
I have a Precision 21, which is nearly identical in design to the Precision 18. I love our boat. We use it for weekend lake sailing. The lake we're on can be notoriously shallow, so we enjoy the shallow draft of the Precision. The cabin is comfortable for sleeping two adults for a weekend. We've had a some children on board at times and there's sleeping room, but access to the Port-a-Potty becomes problematic if someone is sleeping in the V-berth. The sailing qualities are great. Good pointing ability and speed. We're beginning sailors and this is our first boat and it's treated us very well. We leave our boat in a slip rather than trailer it. I find that raising and lowering the mast is at least a two person job. Although the 18 may be better in this regard than the 21.

I don't know anything about the Compac 17, so anything I say you can take with a grain of salt. I would think that the Precision would be a faster, better pointing boat due to the sloop rig. But I would think that the cat rigged Compac would be easier and quicker to set up at the ramp.

Jim Taylor designed the entire Precision line as well as the Colgate 26. I've been very happy with our boat and Precision as a company and I'd recommend them.
 
May 24, 2004
7,140
CC 30 South Florida
Jim Taylor designed the Starwinds which perhaps was the precursor of Precision. The short fixed keel/ center board combo renders a very seaworthy boat. The Compac looks like built with quality, but have no idea how she sails.
 
Jun 15, 2011
3
Precision 18 Oakland, MI
I bought a used P-18 last spring. This summer my spouse and I spent 4 days on Lake Michigan's Grand Traverse Bay, all 4 nights on the boat. Later, we spent 9 days on the boat in Lake Huron's North Channel.

To me, the P-18 is a primo trailered pocket cruiser. What mostly distinguishes this from other 17 to 19 footers is the open and relatively roomy interior (no mast support post or bulkheads), and the ballasted shoal draft keel w/ fiberglass centerboard. For two people, its spartan living, but quite doable. Best of all she sails great, looks good and has a comfortable cockpit.

We keep her on a trailer, daysailing occasionally on a local inland lake.

Absolutely no regrets with this purchase. She's a sweetheart.
 

Ross S

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Oct 20, 2011
120
Precision 21 Great Sacandaga Lake
Mark,

For additional Precision 18 information you can download Tom Scott's Precision 18 book from the precisionowners.com homepage. It's free and it's got a lot of good info.

Good luck with the boat hunting!
 
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