I appreciate all of the input. I went to look at an older P-23 yesterday and I really like the boat. The lines are great and the boat has a good feel. I had been concerned about the size, but there isn't a big difference in handling between the 21 and 23. I have now begun the process of finding the perfect P-23 for me. If anyone hears of a deal that is too good to pass up let me know. I am specifically interested in the 1996 - 2005 models.
Precision P-23
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The P-23 is a Jim Taylor design.
Short fixed keel centerboard combo. The same design was utilized earlier by Wellcraft when they manufactured the Windstar 223 back in 84, 85. I have compared both boats and find that the interior lay out of the Windstar is superior in design and craftmanship. The P-23 has some nice coskpit rail seats and a built in space for a cooler. Wellcraft did not make to many of them and canbe hard to find but they can be had at a reasonable price. Either way the boat design is great and good sailers.
Short fixed keel centerboard combo. The same design was utilized earlier by Wellcraft when they manufactured the Windstar 223 back in 84, 85. I have compared both boats and find that the interior lay out of the Windstar is superior in design and craftmanship. The P-23 has some nice coskpit rail seats and a built in space for a cooler. Wellcraft did not make to many of them and canbe hard to find but they can be had at a reasonable price. Either way the boat design is great and good sailers.
Differences
I disagree with Jim about there being little difference in size. I've sailed extensively on a swing-keel Mac 21 and it is quite a different boat from my Ericson 23, which has a shoal keel and a centerboard. The Ericson probably weighs at least half again what the Mac 21 weighs, even with its iron keel. It is noticeably faster and more solid (not to take anything away from the Mac - it is a ball to sail and has served well on a one-week island hopping cruise with two adults and a child}. The 21 can be rigged and launched in about half an hour by one guy if he has the routine down. My boat takes two guys a couple of hours if they know what they are doing but take their time. Everything is bigger and heavier. But I really like the shoal keel - centerboard arrangement. There is not nearly so much strain on the pivot pin as on a swing keel, you can pull the board up and the boat still sails well, you can go into water that is about knee deep if you pull the rudder up, etc. And the boat performs well, races competitively, etc.
I disagree with Jim about there being little difference in size. I've sailed extensively on a swing-keel Mac 21 and it is quite a different boat from my Ericson 23, which has a shoal keel and a centerboard. The Ericson probably weighs at least half again what the Mac 21 weighs, even with its iron keel. It is noticeably faster and more solid (not to take anything away from the Mac - it is a ball to sail and has served well on a one-week island hopping cruise with two adults and a child}. The 21 can be rigged and launched in about half an hour by one guy if he has the routine down. My boat takes two guys a couple of hours if they know what they are doing but take their time. Everything is bigger and heavier. But I really like the shoal keel - centerboard arrangement. There is not nearly so much strain on the pivot pin as on a swing keel, you can pull the board up and the boat still sails well, you can go into water that is about knee deep if you pull the rudder up, etc. And the boat performs well, races competitively, etc.
Run, don't walk to
Dave Condon of American Marine and Sail Supply in Zebulon, NC. 919-404-1119. Used to be Hunter's largest trailerable dealer.... now has Precision & Catalina. Ask anyone on HOW about Dave.... Straight arrow...no games...he knows boats & sailing inside out & back again....Problems? He'll be there. He sold us our first boat in '93...I really made him work at it....He is the ONLY one (and I checked with several dealers) who was able to rig my outboard and controls to the pedestal when the motor and boat were not designed to have that arrangement. A fantastic and totally professional job. elle
Dave Condon of American Marine and Sail Supply in Zebulon, NC. 919-404-1119. Used to be Hunter's largest trailerable dealer.... now has Precision & Catalina. Ask anyone on HOW about Dave.... Straight arrow...no games...he knows boats & sailing inside out & back again....Problems? He'll be there. He sold us our first boat in '93...I really made him work at it....He is the ONLY one (and I checked with several dealers) who was able to rig my outboard and controls to the pedestal when the motor and boat were not designed to have that arrangement. A fantastic and totally professional job. elle
shoal keel?
Not being much of a sailor, what is a shoal keel anyway? Does it look like a fixed keel, but you get to pull it up? I have a small dinghy with a centerboard which I pull up in the shallows. Is a shoal keel very heavy? Does it therefore account for a lot of the weight that a trailer needs to carry? Thanks
Not being much of a sailor, what is a shoal keel anyway? Does it look like a fixed keel, but you get to pull it up? I have a small dinghy with a centerboard which I pull up in the shallows. Is a shoal keel very heavy? Does it therefore account for a lot of the weight that a trailer needs to carry? Thanks
A shoal keel is a fixed shallow keel designed
to allow the boat to run in shallow(er) water. They don't normally provide the performance a deeper keel provides but has the advantages of trailerablity (in smaller boats) and shallow ater capabilty. Some builders combine a shoal keel with a centerboard to boost performance (reduced side-slippage). In larger boats, a shoal keel can make the difference in whether the boat can even be used in a particular area (like the Gulf and many inland lakes)
to allow the boat to run in shallow(er) water. They don't normally provide the performance a deeper keel provides but has the advantages of trailerablity (in smaller boats) and shallow ater capabilty. Some builders combine a shoal keel with a centerboard to boost performance (reduced side-slippage). In larger boats, a shoal keel can make the difference in whether the boat can even be used in a particular area (like the Gulf and many inland lakes)
I like my P23
TJ Did you find a P23 yet? I purchased a 2005 last spring and love it. Very stable, single-hands easily and has quality hardware. Requires a little deeper ramp than a Hunter 23.5. Good luck in your search. JerryA
TJ Did you find a P23 yet? I purchased a 2005 last spring and love it. Very stable, single-hands easily and has quality hardware. Requires a little deeper ramp than a Hunter 23.5. Good luck in your search. JerryA
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