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Prindle 19
Designer: Richard Loutek  ·  Builder: Performance Catamarans (Usa)  ·  First built: 1985
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About the Prindle 19

Designed by Richard Loutek and first launched in 1985, this performance catamaran represents a sweet spot in the beach cat market, offering serious sailing capability without overwhelming complexity. Performance Catamarans built the Prindle 19 with fiberglass construction and a twin centerboard configuration that provides excellent upwind performance while maintaining the shallow draft essential for beach launching. The fractional sloop rig features a rotating mast that reduces drag and improves sail efficiency across various wind conditions. With 247 square feet of sail area driving just 385 pounds of displacement, the sail-area-to-displacement ratio of 74.76 delivers exhilarating performance that can satisfy both recreational sailors and competitive racers. The 8.5-foot beam provides impressive stability and hiking leverage for the crew. This catamaran excels in coastal waters, bay sailing, and beach cat racing circuits. Its lightweight design and centerboard configuration make it ideal for launching from beaches and shallow venues, while the performance-oriented hull shape delivers the speed thrills that catamaran sailors crave. The Prindle 19 appeals to sailors seeking a boat that bridges the gap between casual beach sailing and serious small-boat racing, offering genuine performance in a manageable package.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 19.21 ft / 5.86 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 18.50 ft / 5.64 m
Beam 8.50 ft / 2.59 m
Max Draft 2.08 ft / 0.63 m
Min Draft 0.42 ft / 0.13 m
Displacement 385.00 lb / 175 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 247.00 ft² / 22.95 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Catamaran Twin Cbrd.
Rigging Type Frac. Sloop (Rotating Spar)
Construction FG
Designer Richard Loutek
Builder Performance Catamarans (USA)
First Built 1985
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Performance Ratios
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
1.83
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
4.68
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. 5.76 kn
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. 3.37 pounds/inch
Engine & Accommodations
KSP 1.72
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