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Prindle 18
Designer: Geoffrey Prindle  ·  Builder: Surfglas/Prindle/Lear Siegler  ·  First built: 1977
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About the Prindle 18

A beloved entry in the American beach catamaran tradition, the Prindle 18 earned a devoted following among coastal sailors and racing enthusiasts alike during its production run. Built by Prindle Sailboats, a California-based manufacturer that became synonymous with accessible, high-performance catamarans, the 18 sits comfortably in the sweet spot between spirited daysailer and competitive racer. Designed for two-person crews, the Prindle 18 is well suited to protected bays, coastal waters, and organized fleet racing. It rewards sailors who enjoy an athletic, hands-on experience — think trapeze wires, tacking in sync, and the thrill of flying a hull in a healthy breeze. The boat's lightweight construction and efficient twin-hull platform allow it to build impressive speed without requiring the complexity of larger offshore vessels. For prospective buyers, the Prindle 18 represents strong value in the used catamaran market, with an active class community that has kept parts and knowledge circulating for decades. Sailors who prioritize fun-per-dollar on the water, and who want a platform that performs in a range of wind conditions, will find the Prindle 18 a genuinely rewarding choice.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 18.00 ft / 5.49 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 17.00 ft / 5.18 m
Beam 7.92 ft / 2.41 m
Max Draft 0.58 ft / 0.18 m
Displacement 335.00 lb / 152 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 218.00 ft² / 20.25 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Catamaran (no boards/asym.)
Rigging Type Frac. Sloop (Rotating Spar)
Construction FG
Designer Geoffrey Prindle
Builder Surfglas/Prindle/Lear Siegler
First Built 1977
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Known Issues & What to Watch For

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Performance Ratios
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
72.39
How It Compares

vs. Dart 18, Prindle 18 2, Trac 18

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Prindle 18 ★
18.0 ft
Dart 18
18.0 ft
Prindle 18 2
18.0 ft
Trac 18
18.0 ft
LWL
Prindle 18 ★
17.0 ft
Dart 18
17.0 ft
Prindle 18 2
17.2 ft
Trac 18
17.5 ft
Beam
Prindle 18 ★
7.9 ft
Dart 18
7.5 ft
Prindle 18 2
8.5 ft
Trac 18
8.0 ft
Displacement
Prindle 18 ★
335 lbs
Dart 18
285 lbs
Prindle 18 2
375 lbs
Trac 18
349 lbs
Sail Area
Prindle 18 ★
218 sq ft
Dart 18
175 sq ft
Prindle 18 2
233 sq ft
Trac 18
233 sq ft
Performance
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Prindle 18 ★
72.4
Dart 18
64.7
Prindle 18 2
Trac 18
75.3
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Prindle 18 ★
Dart 18
1.7
Prindle 18 2
1.9
Trac 18
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Prindle 18 ★
Dart 18
4.56
Prindle 18 2
4.72
Trac 18
Hull Speed
Prindle 18 ★
Dart 18
5.5 kts
Prindle 18 2
5.6 kts
Trac 18
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