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Precision 21
Designer: Jim Taylor  ·  Builder: Precision Boat Works (Usa)  ·  First built: 1986
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About the Precision 21

Jim Taylor's design for Precision Boat Works represents a thoughtful approach to compact cruising, blending weekend getaway capability with manageable size. Built from 1986 through 2019, this fractional sloop demonstrates remarkable longevity in the marketplace, suggesting strong owner satisfaction and proven seaworthiness. The fiberglass construction features a keel/centerboard configuration that offers the best of both worlds: the stability and windward performance of a fixed keel combined with the shallow-water versatility of a retractable centerboard. This hybrid design makes the boat particularly appealing for exploring gunkholes and accessing shallow anchorages while maintaining respectable sailing performance in deeper waters. With a displacement of 1,875 pounds and 600 pounds of ballast, the Precision 21 achieves a comfort ratio of 9.43, indicating a relatively stiff, responsive boat that won't pound excessively in chop. The capsize screening formula of 2.68 suggests good stability characteristics suitable for protected coastal waters and inland sailing. The 203 square feet of sail area provides adequate power for the displacement, while the fractional rig keeps the center of effort manageable for single-handed or small-crew operation. This combination makes it an excellent choice for day sailing, weekend cruising, and sailing instruction in protected waters.

Market Price Estimate Beta
Small sample size. This estimate is based on fewer than 5 listings and may not be representative of the true market. Use with caution.
$2,000 – $2,000
typical asking price
Median $2,000  ·  2 listings used
All listings
$2,000 – $2,000 2
Rate a listing price
$
About this estimate
  • Prices are based on recent asking prices from public listings — not actual sale prices, which are typically lower.
  • Condition is not factored in. A well-maintained boat with new sails and engine can be worth significantly more than a project boat of the same model.
  • Location affects price. Boats in landlocked states or areas with fewer buyers often sell for less than those on the coast.
  • Year of manufacture is not filtered. Older examples of this model will generally be priced lower than newer ones.
  • Included equipment varies widely. A boat with a full suite of electronics, dodger, and new standing rigging may command a large premium.
  • Outliers are automatically excluded using statistical filtering to improve accuracy, but some bad data may remain.
Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 20.75 ft / 6.32 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 17.50 ft / 5.33 m
Beam 8.25 ft / 2.51 m
Max Draft 4.67 ft / 1.42 m
Min Draft 1.75 ft / 0.53 m
Displacement 1,875.00 lb / 850 kg
Ballast 600.00 lb / 272 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 203.00 ft² / 18.86 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Keel/Cbrd.
Rigging Type Fractional Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Jim Taylor
Builder Precision Boat Works (USA)
First Built 1986
Last Built 2019
Owner Reviews

No owner reviews yet — be the first to share your experience with this boat.

Performance Ratios
PHRF Rating PHRF (Performance Handicap Racing Fleet) is a national racing handicap measured in seconds per nautical mile. Lower values indicate faster boats. Ratings are sourced from US Sailing's national database (median across 60+ regional fleets).
Under 0 — Ultralight racer0–90 — Performance racer90–150 — Cruiser/racer150–210 — Typical cruiserOver 210 — Heavy/slow cruiser
243
SA/Displacement Sail Area to Displacement ratio measures how much sail power a boat has relative to its weight. Higher values mean more performance and speed.
Under 14 — Heavy cruiser, slow14–18 — Cruising sailboat18–22 — Cruiser/racerOver 22 — Performance racer
21.41
Ballast/Displacement Ballast to Displacement ratio shows what percentage of the boat's total weight is ballast. Higher values generally mean better initial stability and stiffer sail carrying.
30–35% — Typical cruiser35–45% — Stiff performance boatOver 45% — Racing oriented
32
Displacement/Length Displacement to Length ratio measures how heavy a boat is relative to its waterline length. Lower values mean a lighter, faster boat.
Under 100 — Ultralight racer100–200 — Light cruiser/racer200–300 — Moderate cruiser300–400 — Heavy cruiserOver 400 — Very heavy
156.18
Comfort Ratio Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio predicts how comfortable a boat will feel in offshore conditions. Higher values mean a steadier, more comfortable motion in a seaway.
Under 20 — Uncomfortably rough20–30 — Acceptable coastal30–40 — Good offshore comfortOver 40 — Very comfortable offshore
9.43
Capsize Screening Formula The USHS Capsize Screening Formula estimates offshore capsize risk. Lower is safer — values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing.
Under 2.0 — Safe for offshore2.0–2.2 — Borderline offshoreOver 2.2 — Coastal use recommended
2.68
Hull Speed Hull Speed is the theoretical maximum speed of a displacement hull, calculated from waterline length. Most cruising sailboats reach this speed in moderate conditions. 5.61 kn
S# (Speed Number) The Speed Number (S#) is a quick performance index. Higher values indicate a faster, more powerful design relative to its size.
Under 3.0 — Slow cruiser3.0–5.0 — Average cruiser5.0–7.0 — Performance cruiserOver 7.0 — Racer
3.72
Pounds/Inch Immersion Pounds per Inch Immersion (PPI) tells you how much weight is needed to sink the boat one inch. Useful for calculating how additional gear and stores affect waterline. 515.87 pounds/inch
SA/Displacement (Calc) Calculated Sail Area to Displacement ratio using actual measured sail dimensions rather than reported values. More precise than the reported SA/Disp figure. 20.25
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 22.70 ft / 6.92 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 7.00 ft / 2.13 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 23.70 ft / 7.22 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 9.50 ft / 2.90 m
SA Fore 79.45 ft² / 7.38 m²
SA Main 112.58 ft² / 10.46 m²
SA Total (100%) 192.03 ft² / 17.84 m²
Est. Forestay Length 23.75 ft / 7.24 m
Mast Height (DWL) 30.00 ft / 9.14 m
How It Compares

vs. Buccaneer 210, Hunter 212, Nimble 20, San Juan 21 2, Ultimate 20

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Precision 21 ★
20.8 ft
Buccaneer 210
20.8 ft
Hunter 212
21.0 ft
Nimble 20
20.9 ft
San Juan 21 2
20.5 ft
Ultimate 20
20.8 ft
LWL
Precision 21 ★
17.5 ft
Buccaneer 210
18.3 ft
Hunter 212
18.0 ft
Nimble 20
19.8 ft
San Juan 21 2
17.0 ft
Ultimate 20
18.0 ft
Beam
Precision 21 ★
8.3 ft
Buccaneer 210
8.0 ft
Hunter 212
9.2 ft
Nimble 20
7.8 ft
San Juan 21 2
7.0 ft
Ultimate 20
8.0 ft
Displacement
Precision 21 ★
1 lbs
Buccaneer 210
3 lbs
Hunter 212
1 lbs
Nimble 20
1 lbs
San Juan 21 2
1 lbs
Ultimate 20
1 lbs
Ballast
Precision 21 ★
600 lbs
Buccaneer 210
900 lbs
Hunter 212
140 lbs
Nimble 20
400 lbs
San Juan 21 2
400 lbs
Ultimate 20
450 lbs
Sail Area
Precision 21 ★
203 sq ft
Buccaneer 210
191 sq ft
Hunter 212
202 sq ft
Nimble 20
207 sq ft
San Juan 21 2
Ultimate 20
243 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Precision 21 ★
243 s/nm
Buccaneer 210
282 s/nm
Hunter 212
216 s/nm
Nimble 20
San Juan 21 2
252 s/nm
Ultimate 20
144 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Precision 21 ★
21.4
Buccaneer 210
14.7
Hunter 212
21.9
Nimble 20
22.0
San Juan 21 2
Ultimate 20
36.6
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Precision 21 ★
32.0 %
Buccaneer 210
30.0 %
Hunter 212
7.8 %
Nimble 20
21.6 %
San Juan 21 2
32.0 %
Ultimate 20
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Precision 21 ★
9.4
Buccaneer 210
15.2
Hunter 212
7.7
Nimble 20
9.3
San Juan 21 2
Ultimate 20
5.7
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Precision 21 ★
2.68
Buccaneer 210
2.22
Hunter 212
3.02
Nimble 20
2.53
San Juan 21 2
Ultimate 20
3.10
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Precision 21 ★
156
Buccaneer 210
217
Hunter 212
137
Nimble 20
107
San Juan 21 2
113
Ultimate 20
Hull Speed
Precision 21 ★
5.6 kts
Buccaneer 210
5.7 kts
Hunter 212
5.7 kts
Nimble 20
6.0 kts
San Juan 21 2
Ultimate 20
5.7 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Precision 21 ★
3.7
Buccaneer 210
2.3
Hunter 212
4.3
Nimble 20
San Juan 21 2
Ultimate 20
7.3
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