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SAILING WORLD'S BOAT OF THE YEAR

Designed by Reichel/Pugh and built by Melges, the Melges 15 prioritizes stability, comfort, ease of use, and performance.

“The Melges 15 creates a clear pathway for junior sailors to get started and stay excited about sailing while also being comfortable and accessible enough for adults to learn, race, or cross-train,” said Harry Melges III.

The Melges 15’s stable hull shape and ergonomic cockpit make it a suitable layout for adult racing and educational sailing. Easy conversion from a club configuration (non-spinnaker) to a one-design setup, provides more versatility to club programs and options for individual owners.

With the main design goals focused on stability and performance in a variety of conditions, the boat features a narrow overall beam and a flat cross-section shape for stability, righting moment, and ease of planing. For a more forgiving feel upwind and to navigate larger sea states, the Melges 15 has just the right amount of fore and aft rocker.

Melges conducted extensive research and product testing to produce this layout factoring in cockpit depth, backbone height, and floor plan. The result is a comfortable environment for both the skipper and crew. The deeper cockpit takes the load off the sailor’s knees helping them feel locked into the boat while the high boom and gnav vang system work together to make the boat easier to maneuver.

The asymmetric spinnaker offers an additional performance element while the single-pull launch and retrieval system makes handling the sail easy and fast.

The Melges 15 is built to be sailed by everyone from friends and couples to families and kids. The design offers performance, comfort, and stability in one sleek package.

15' sailboat

  • PRODUCT OVERVIEW
15 ft 4.572 m
5 ft 6 in 1.675 m
2 ft 7 in 0.8 m
230 lbs 104 kgs
93.6 sq ft 8.7 m
39.8 sq ft 3.7 m
156 sq ft 14.5 m
2

15' sailboat

Asymmetrical Spinnaker

Learn more on QuantumSails.com .

Ergonomic Cockpit – The Melges 15 features an ergonomic platform and a broader weight range for competitive racing. Melges conducted extensive research and product testing to produce this layout factoring in cockpit depth, backbone height, and floor plan. The result is a comfortable environment for both the skipper and crew. The deeper cockpit takes the load off the sailor’s knees and helps them feel more locked into the boat. Creating a boat that adults can feel comfortable while sailing was a key design factor in the hull and cockpit design of the Melges 15.

Performance & Stability – With the main design goals focused on stability and performance in a variety of conditions, the Melges 15 features a narrow overall beam and a flat cross-section shape for stability, righting moment, and ease of planing. For a more forgiving feel upwind and to navigate larger sea states, the Melges 15 has just the right amount of fore and aft rocker.

Single-Pull Spinnaker System – The asymmetric spinnaker offers an additional performance element while the single-pull launch and retrieval system makes handling the sail easy and fast. One line pulls the halyard up, bowsprit out, and tack line out. To take the kite down, simply release the pull-up line and pull the douser line to take the kite back down again. The kite douses into a bag located in the front of the cockpit.

Cockpit Layout –  Every aspect of the deck hardware has been designed for simplicity and ease of use. With blocks and cleats situated in easy-to-grab locations making it easier on the skipper and crew to maneuver the boat.

Gnav Vang – The Gnav vang system gives the crew substantially more space to maneuver in the cockpit.

Tapered Aluminum Mast – The Melges 15 mast features a tapered mast tip allowing for maximum depowering when the breeze is up. The stiffer bottom of the mast combined with the softer mast tip allows the M15 to be sailed competitively by a wider range of weights in both light and heavy air.

Aluminum Foils – Aluminum foils maximize performance and durability in one package. Consistent foil shape helps ensure fair racing across the class while being extremely durable.

Flip-up Rudder –  Never has been getting your rudder up been so easy. No need to get wet, no lines to pull, just pop the tiller up and pull it forward, this action pulls the rudder into its flipped up position.

Club Sailing or Racing –  Transitioning from a non-spinnaker to a spinnaker platform is quick and easy. Set the bowsprit and spin back in the boat and you are ready to go. This is a great feature for clubs who want to teach during the day and race at night.

Closed Transom –  Comfort and safety were at the forefront of this design. Closing the transom of the Melges 15 has eliminated the need for a false floor, allowing for a deeper more comfortable cockpit. Any water that enters the easily drains out of the scupper holes in the transom and the bailors in the cockpit.

Melges 15 Class Website

Melges 15 Speed Guide

Melges 15 YouTube Channel

Rigging Videos How to Rig the Melges 15 How to Rig the Spinnaker on a Melges 15

Downwind How-To Videos How to Set the Spinnaker How to Gybe How to Douse the Spinnaker

15' sailboat

Introducing the Melges RIB 625C

February 22, 2024

Melges Establishes New Partnership with Melges UK

February 19, 2024

Annapolis Sail Works Joins the Melges Dealer Network

October 17, 2023

Built to Last: The Melges 15’s Unwavering Focus on Durability for Institutional Use

October 12, 2023

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10 Best Small Sailboats (Under 20 Feet)

Best Small Sailboats Under 20 Feet | Life of Sailing

Compact, easy to trailer, simple to rig, easy to maintain and manage, and affordable, the best small boats all have one thing in common: they offer loads of fun while out there on the water.

So whether you're on a budget or just looking for something that can offer ultimate daytime rides without compromising on safety, aesthetic sensibilities, alternate propulsion, and speed, the best small sailboats under 20 feet should be the only way to go.

Let's be brutally honest here; not everyone needs a 30-foot sailboat to go sailing. They come with lots of features such as electronics, entertainment, refrigeration, bunks, a galley, and even a head. But do you really need all these features to go sailing? We don't think so.

All you need to go sailing is a hull, a mast, rudder, and, of course, a sail. And whether you refer to them as daysailers, trailerable sailboats , a weekender sailboat, or pocket cruisers, there's no better way to enjoy the thrills of coastal sailing than on small sailboats.

There are a wide range of small boats measuring less than 20 feet available in the market. These are hot products in the market given that they offer immense thrills out on the sea without the commitment required to cruise on a 30-footer. A small sailboat will not only give you the feel of every breeze but will also give you the chance to instantly sense every change in trim.

In this article, we'll highlight 10 best small sailboats under 20 feet . Most models in this list are time-tested, easy to rig, simple to sail, extremely fun, and perfect either for solo sailing or for sailing with friends and family. So if you've been looking for a list of some of the best small sailboats , you've come to the right place.

So without further ado, let's roll on.

Table of contents

{{boat-info="/boats/hunter-15"}}

The Marlow-Hunter 15 is not only easy to own since it's one of the most affordable small sailboats but also lots of fun to sail. This is a safe and versatile sailboat for everyone. Whether you're sailing with your family or as a greenhorn, you'll love the Hunter 15 thanks to its raised boom, high freeboard, and sturdy FRP construction.

With high sides, a comfortable wide beam, a contoured self-bailing cockpit, and fiberglass construction, the Hunter 15 is certainly designed with the novice sailor in mind. This is why you can do a lot with this boat without falling out, breaking it, or capsizing. Its contoured self-baiting cockpit will enable you to find a fast exit while its wide beam will keep it steady and stable no matter what jibes or weight shifts happen along the way.

This is a small sailboat that can hold up to four people. It's designed to give you a confident feeling and peace of mind even when sailing with kids. It's easy to trailer, easy to rig, and easy to launch. With a price tag of about $10k, the Hunter 15 is a fun, affordable, and versatile boat that is perfect for both seasoned sailors and novices. It's a low-maintenance sailboat that can be great for teaching kids a thing or two about sailing.

Catalina 16.5

{{boat-info="/boats/catalina-16-5"}}

Catalina Yachts are synonymous with bigger boats but they have some great and smaller boats too such as Catalina 16.5. This is one of the best small sailboats that are ideal for family outings given that it has a big and roomy cockpit, as well as a large storage locker. Designed with a hand-laminated fiberglass sloop, the Catalina 16.5 is versatile and is available in two designs: the centerboard model and the keel model.

The centerboard model is designed with a powerful sailplane that remains balanced as a result of the fiberglass centerboard, the stable hull form, and the rudder. It also comes with a tiller extension, adjustable hiking straps, and adjustable overhaul. It's important to note that these are standard equipment in the two models.

As far as the keel model is concerned, this is designed with a high aspect keel as the cast lead and is attached with stainless steel keel bolts, which makes this model perfect for mooring or docking whenever it's not in use. In essence, the centerboard model is perfect if you'll store it in a trailer while the keel model can remain at the dock.

All in all, the Catalina 16.5 is one of the best small sailboats that you can get your hands on for as low as $10,000. This is certainly a great example of exactly what a daysailer should be.

{{boat-info="/boats/hobie-16"}}

There's no list of small, trailerable, and fun sailboats that can be complete without the inclusion of the classic Hobie 16. This is a durable design that has been around and diligently graced various waters across the globe since its debut way back in 1969 in Southern California. In addition to being durable, the Hobie 16 is trailerable, great for speed, weighs only 320 pounds, great for four people, and more importantly, offers absolute fun.

With a remarkable figure of over 100,000 launched since its debut, it's easy to see that the Hobie 16 is highly popular. Part of this popularity comes from its asymmetric fiberglass-and-foam sandwiched hulls that include kick-up rudders. This is a great feature that allows it to sail up to the beach.

For about $12,000, the Hobie 16 will provide you with endless fun throughout the summer. It's equipped with a spinnaker, trailer, and douse kit. This is a high-speed sailboat that has a large trampoline to offer lots of space not just for your feet but also to hand off the double trapezes.

Montgomery 17

{{boat-info="/boats/montgomery-17"}}

Popularly known as the M-17, The Montgomery 17 was designed by Lyle C. Hess in conjunction with Jerry Montgomery in Ontario, California for Montgomery Boats. Designed either with keel or centerboard models, the M-17 is more stable than most boats of her size. This boat is small enough to be trailered but also capable of doing moderate offshore passages.

This small sailboat is designed with a masthead and toe rail that can fit most foresails. It also has enough space for two thanks to its cuddly cabin, which offers a sitting headroom, a portable toilet, a pair of bunks, a DC power, and optional shore, and a proper amount of storage. That's not all; you can easily raise the deck-stepped mast using a four-part tackle.

In terms of performance, the M-17 is one of the giant-killers out there. This is a small sailboat that will excel in the extremes and make its way past larger boats such as the Catalina 22. It glides along beautifully and is a dog in light air, though it won't sail against a 25-knot wind, which can be frustrating. Other than that, the Montgomery 17 is a great small sailboat that can be yours for about $14,000.

Norseboat 17.5

{{boat-info="/boats/norseboat-17-5"}}

As a versatile daysailer, Norseboat 17.5 follows a simple concept of seaworthiness and high-performance. This small sailboat perfectly combines both contemporary construction and traditional aesthetics. Imagine a sailboat that calls itself the "Swiss Army Knife of Boats!" Well, this is a boat that can sail and row equally well.

Whether you're stepping down from a larger cruiser or stepping up from a sea kayak, the unique Norseboat 17.5 is balanced, attractive, and salty. It has curvaceous wishbone gaff, it is saucy, and has a stubby bow-sprit that makes it attractive to the eyes. In addition to her beauty, the Norseboat 17.5 offers an energy-pinching challenge, is self-sufficient, and offers more than what you're used to.

This is a small, lightweight, low-maintenance sailboat that offers a ticket to both sailing and rowing adventures all at the same time. At about 400 pounds, it's very portable and highly convenient. Its mainsails may look small but you'll be surprised at how the boat is responsive to it. With a $12,500 price tag, this is a good small sailboat that offers you the versatility to either row or sail.

{{boat-info="/boats/sage-marine-sage-17"}}

If you've been looking for a pocket cruiser that inspires confidence, especially in shoal water, look no further than the Sage 17. Designed by Jerry Montgomery in 2009, the Sage 17 is stable and should heel to 10 degrees while stiffening up. And because you want to feel secure while sailing, stability is an integral feature of the Sage 17.

This is a sailboat that will remain solid and stable no matter which part of the boat you stand on. Its cabin roof and the balsa-cored carbon-fiber deck are so strong that the mast doesn't require any form of compression post. The self-draining cockpit is long enough and capable of sleeping at 6 feet 6 inches.

The Sage 17 may be expensive at $25k but is a true sea warrior that's worth look at. This is a boat that will not only serve you right but will also turn heads at the marina.    

{{boat-info="/boats/laserperformance-laser-sb3"}}

Having been chosen as the overall boat of the year for 2008 by the Sailing World Magazine, the Laser SB3 is one of the coolest boats you'll ever encounter. When sailing upwind, this boat will lock into the groove while its absolute simplicity is legendary. In terms of downwind sailing, having this boat will be a dream come true while it remains incredibly stable even at extraordinary speed.

Since its debut in 2004, the Laser SB3 has surged in terms of popularity thanks to the fact that it's designed to put all the controls at your fingertips. In addition to a lightweight mast, its T- bulb keel can be hauled and launched painlessly. For about $18,000, the Laser SB3 ushers you into the world of sports sailing and what it feels to own and use a sports boat.

{{boat-info="/boats/fareast-18"}}

As a manufacturer, Fareast is a Chinese boat manufacturer that has been around for less than two decades. But even with that, the Fareast 18 remains a very capable cruiser-racer that will take your sailing to the next level. In addition to its good looks, this boat comes with a retractable keel with ballast bulb, a powerful rig, and an enclosed cabin.

Its narrow design with a closed stern may be rare in sailboats of this size, but that's not a problem for the Fareast 18. This design not only emphasizes speed but also makes it a lot easier to maintain this boat. Perfect for about 6 people, this boat punches above its weight. It's, however, designed to be rigged and launched by one person.

This is a relatively affordable boat. It's agile, safe, well-thought-out, well built, and very sporty.

{{boat-info="/boats/chuck-paine-paine-14"}}

If you're in the market looking for a small sailboat that offers contemporary performance with classic beauty, the Paine 14 should be your ideal option. Named after its famous designer, Chuck Paine, this boat is intentionally designed after the classic Herreshoff 12.5 both in terms of dimensions and features.

This is a lightweight design that brings forth modern fin keel and spade rudder, which makes it agile, stable, and faster. The Paine 14 is built using cold-molded wood or west epoxy. It has varnished gunnels and transoms to give it an old-time charm. To make it somehow modern, this boat is designed with a carbon mast and a modern way to attach sails so that it's ready to sail in minutes.

You can rest easy knowing that the Paine 14 will not only serve you well but will turn heads while out there.

{{boat-info="/boats/wd-schock-lido-14"}}

Many sailors will attest that their first sailing outing was in a Lido 14. This is a classic sailboat that has been around for over four decades and still proves to be a perfect match to modern small boats, especially for those still learning the ropes of sailing.

With seating for six people, the Lido 14 can be perfect for solo sailing , single-handed sailing, or if you're planning for shorthanded sailing. While new Lido 14 boats are no longer available, go for a functional used Lido 14 and you'll never regret this decision. It will serve you well and your kids will probably fall in love with sailing if Lido 14 becomes their main vessel during weekends or long summer holidays.

Bottom Line

There you have it; these are some of the best small sailboats you can go for. While there are endless small sailboats in the market, the above-described sailboat will serve you right and make you enjoy the wind.

Choose the perfect sailboat, invest in it, and go out there and have some good fun!

Related Articles

Daniel Wade

I've personally had thousands of questions about sailing and sailboats over the years. As I learn and experience sailing, and the community, I share the answers that work and make sense to me, here on Life of Sailing.

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Chuck Paine Yacht Design LLC

THE LEVANT 15

Perhaps the single finest sailboat in the world—the LEVANT 15 . If you love sailing and want, and deserve, and can afford, the finest sailboat ever designed and built anywhere in the world, read on. First a few pictures to tantalize you.

15' sailboat

The  LEVANT 15 fits neatly amid Chuck Paine’s growing fleet of elegant, hand-built in America, keel sailboats for the no-longer athletic sailor. Like his recent larger and smaller designs (the PAINE 14 and YORK 18 ) she is styled to honor her famous and gorgeous predecessor, the Herreshoff 12½. But with her fin keel and carbon fiber mast and separate, partially balanced rudder and anti-twistoff jib she is a bit faster and a lot more fun to sail. And far easier and cheaper to maintain. We believe Chuck Paine’s new family-sized keelboats are the finest sailboats of any size built anywhere in the world.

CHUCK PAINE’S FLEET OF ELEGANT NEW DESIGNS: THE LEVANT 15,           THE PAINE 14,            AND THE YORK 18

15' sailboat

THE LEVANT 15 (No, this is not the same boat as the Paine 14 — its owner just chose the same topsides color.)

15' sailboat

THE PAINE 14

15' sailboat

THE YORK 18

Just as Nat Herreshoff would surely have done today, she has a seamless, leakproof and unsinkable hull built of lightweight but super strong epoxy cold molded construction. She is available now from French & Webb boatbuilders of Belfast, Maine. The first six boats have been launched, and two more are under construction. The LEVANT 15 is a floating work of art built by hard-working and hard-to-find American craftsmen who value the quality of your new yacht above all else, as anyone with any intelligence can easily discern from the accompanying photos and drawings.

15' sailboat

Her balanced rudder and efficient fin keel combine with classic topside aesthetics. But the performance is wonderfully superior to all formerly available keel sailboats.

15' sailboat

The LEVANT 15 is a yacht you will once again actually USE.  Just as you used and loved every summer weekend the Blue Jay or Lightning or Snipe or… (insert here) … that you absolutely cherished before the boat salesmen convinced you you’d be sailing off to Tahiti in your dotage. Many of us (including Chuck Paine) have owned a succession of ever larger yachts, but have discovered over time that they required ever greater available time to make use of, crews that were impossible to find, and rapidly inflating yearly expense for marina slips, insurance, maintenance and worst of all, because nobody wants them anymore, depreciation. The  LEVANT 15 is exquisitely designed, built and finished. Quite a few folks bought oceangoing yachts thinking they might owing to their size at least impress their neighbors. The reality is that nowadays you are looked at as a fool if you own a white-elephant that sits unused and fading all summer in a marina slip sucking money out of your pocket. Once you come to your senses and own your  LEVANT 15 your wisdom will be rewarded every time you go sailing, when virtually every person you encounter on the water goes out of his way to come over and shout…“What a beautiful boat!”

The LEVANT 15 is in every possible way optimized for trailering behind a standard-sized automobile. Her carbon fiber mast requires no stays and weighs with its halyards a mere 23 pounds, so it is as easy to deploy as that on a Laser dinghy. Easier, actually, as the sail need not be attached before stepping the mast, and is simply swung up into its authentic bronze Herreshoff-type mast ring, Iwo-Jima style. Chuck has invented a nifty way of using Velcro straps to attach the mainsail to the mast very quickly… no tedious fitting of little slides to little tracks, so the boat can be launched and gotten going in a matter of minutes.

15' sailboat

Strap Closed

This boat’s construction and finish are in a word, exquisite. So it is far from cheap to build, to be honest. But it will retain its value far better than any boat you have ever owned before and will certainly rise in value owing to its rarity and waiting times for acquisition. As an intrinsically valuable hard asset whose cost of replication is rising at a rapid rate, it is a classically cogent hedge against inflation- but one that can be used to hugely enhance your quality of life no matter what the gov-mint does to trash the value of our currency.

In a single phrase, the  LEVANT 15 is “A TRAILERABLE MINI-YACHT.”  At 1000 pounds the yacht is light enough to be trailed behind the moderate sized automobile that you already own—no truck or SUV nor surge brakes are required. Or of course it can live on your mooring or in a marina slip. An optional custom-fitted highest quality galvanized trailer with integral tongue-extender makes launching and retrieving a snap. The carbon fiber mast requires no stays and is simply swung up into place just as is done on the original Herreshoff 12½, excepting that the rigging-less carbon fiber mast weighs only half as much! And in the off-season she fits right into your garage where you can perform the yearly maintenance yourself at near negligible expense, and proudly show her off to your dinner-guests.

The rare yachtsman who desires a daysailor of investment quality is finally blessed with a number of clear choices, all with splendid fit and finish (and commensurate pricetags, which will be soon forgotten as they inflate in value). The available fleet until the introduction of the  LEVANT 15  consisted of the PAINE 14 , Herreshoff and Doughdish 12 1/2, York 18 and Pisces 21.  The LEVANT 15 fills the obvious gap between the Paine 14 and the H12/Doughdish. Given her modern underbody, although she falls halfway between the Paine 14 and Herreshoff 12½  in size, she is the equal and more of the H12 in performance.

Want to see why people love the way this boat sails? Have a look at the following videos of the boat under sail in a light breeze. Turn your speakers on- there is sound.

The yacht is built to order in Belfast, Maine by French & Webb. They take between 6 and 9 months to complete. Six of them have been launched so far. Two more are under construction, and hull number 9 is now available to build. More information about the boat, from its builder’s perspective, may be found by going to www.frenchwebb.com. The demonstrator yacht will come up for sale this winter, at a price 15% less than it can be reproduced for, thanks to covidflation.

15' sailboat

The full-height jib battens keep the jib from twisting off excessively- note the jib is working properly from top to bottom.  They also permit the jib to be roller-reefed without the jib losing its shape, unlike any jib ever made previously!   Norm Talbot photo.

15' sailboat

Caught in the middle of a tack, granddad is proud of his lovely granddaughters. Hence Cecilie Zoey.                                                          Art Paine photo

15' sailboat

In light airs… seven or eight knots of wind in this photo, the yacht will sail at hull speed—about five knots.

15' sailboat

A day at a nearby lake. Why would anyone sail anything less lovely?

A LEVANT 15 for delivery in early 2024 will cost between $90,000 and $110,000 depending upon the specification of hardwoods, fittings and options.

A sailboat for Florida. Until now there were no sailboats both shallow enough and of sufficiently high performance to be usable on the many canals in Florida. So often the wind comes right down the canal, making sailing there either a beat straight to windward or a dead run. Anything can go downwind—even a Styrofoam cup—but tacking successfully to windward in a narrow channel is beyond the capability of most existing sailboats– until now. The LEVANT 15 can be short-tacked to windward in any canal in Florida without effort—no sheet needs to be trimmed.  From this day forward you will begin to see TWO boat lifts at the edge of every canal in Florida. One for your center console, and one for your LEVANT 15!

Appealing options may be easily added. A custom fitted galvanized trailer with a long tongue-extender is the first and perhaps only option most owners will want. A demonstrator exists and awaits your inspection.

For a couple of videos of her sailing, click below:

https://www.frenchwebb.com/levant

FOR QUESTIONS RELATED TO THE YACHT:

Further information may be obtained from:

Builder’s website: www.frenchwebb.com

Phone: (207)  323-2550

FOR QUESTIONS RELATED TO THE DESIGN:  CHUCKPAINE.COM LLC  

Phone: (207) 691-5195

Email: [email protected]

15' sailboat

THE DEMONSTRATOR shown above and in all photos and videos will be put up for sale this Fall. Its price including all options (the bronze hardware package and the Triad brand trailer being the two most important ones with costs of over $6000 each) is $102,000 fob Belfast, Maine.  Contact Todd French or Chuck Paine  if interested.

This design is featured in the recent book; THE BOATS I’VE LOVED- 20 Classic Sailboat Designs by Chuck Paine.  This is a beautiful, full colored, first-class book which give you lots more information on this design, and can be purchased elsewhere on this website. It’s fun reading, and will teach you a lot about small boats of very high quality which are, and have always been, Chuck Paine’s stock in trade.

For those who own or have owned a Chuck Paine design, and those who aspire to owning one someday, here is a fun Facebook Group where you can meet and greet others with similar interests.

I have (with some help) created a Facebook group where people who like the boats I’ve designed over the years can meet and discuss. Take a look and consider joining and/or sharing with your boating friends. Just click the blue text and join.   https://www.facebook.com/groups/424532172574012/   “

I’ll be in the background serving as “moderator”. I’m hoping that many of the well- over- 1000 owners of a Paine design will enjoy belonging to this group.

Chuck Paine

chuckbookad.july5

Specifications

LOA -15'
LWL - 13' 9"
BEAM - 7'
DRAFT, Board up - 0' 6"
DRAFT, Board down - 3' 8"
Keel - 1' 9"
Displacement - Cnt. Brd. 390 lbs.
Displacement - Keel 600 lbs.
Ballast, Keel - 250 lbs
Sail area - 130 sq. ft.
Mast height above DWL - 25' 4"
Designer: - Jim Taylor


The Precision 15 is the smallest in the Precision Boat Works fleet, but she is by no means the least significant.

The Precision 15 has earned high praise from both owners and competitors for her lively and rewarding performance. And her affordable price and quality reputation have been achieved through simplicity of design and cost effective assembly, not compromises in her quality hardware and hand-laid solid fiberglass construction.

Designed to provide safety, stability, reliable handling, and sprightly speed under sail, she will shorthand beautifully under her large main alone; even better with her high aspect jib hoisted. And her centerboard with NACA foil sections gives her the utmost hydrodynamic efficiency upwind.

The Precision 15 features an unusually broad beam, substantial freeboard and high volume coamings to help prevent swamping or capsizing. She provides a large forward storage area and her cockpit is safe and comfortable for both adults and children, with footwells and seats unusually wide and deep.

With an unobtrusively low centerboard trunk and an elegantly simple swept spreader three-stay rig, the Precision 15 is beautiful both to see and to sail. And at only 390 pounds fully rigged, she's a snap to trailer and launch.

You'll enjoy many years of safe and spirited sailing in your Precision 15. It has been designed with great care and intelligence; constructed with professional integrity and quality craftsmanship and materials to provide you long and careful pleasure of ownership and outstanding resale value when you sell.

Jim Taylor

» » Link to the P-15 Parts List page » » Link to the P-15 Photo Gallery » » Link to the P-15 Manual page » » Link to the P-15 Technical Specs.

Standard Equipment

  • Hand laminated fiberglass construction
  • Vinylester resin hull skin coat
  • Foam flotation
  • 9 ft. 4 in self bailing cockpit
  • Large forepeak locker w/watertight door
  • Lead ballasted keel (15K)
  • Ballasted fiberglass NACA foil centerboard (15 CB)
  • Covered centerboard trunk
  • 4 mooring cleats
  • Kick-up rudder
  • Tiller extender
  • Harken ball bearing blocks
  • Jib track with cars and harken cam cleats
  • Harken boom vang
  • Anodized mast and boom
  • Hinged mast step
  • Stainless steel standing rigging
  • Dacron running rigging
  • Stainless steel bow eye
  • Main sail and jib





Notice: All pricing subject to change without notice, FOB Palmetto, Florida. Prices do not include transportation to the dealer, state & local taxes, dealer preparation (commissioning) bottom paint, ground tackle or safety gear. Please consult with your authorized Precision dealer to select and budget for these additional items.

COMMENTS

  1. MELGES 15

    The Melges 15’s stable hull shape and ergonomic cockpit make it a suitable layout for adult racing and educational sailing. Easy conversion from a club configuration (non-spinnaker) to a one-design setup, provides more versatility to club programs and options for individual owners.

  2. 10 Best Small Sailboats (Under 20 Feet) | Life of Sailing

    Most small sailboats under 20 feet in this list are time-tested, easy to rig, simple to sail, extremely fun, and perfect either for solo sailing or for sailing with friends and family.

  3. Preowned sailboats for sale under 15 feet - Sailboat Listings

    fiberglass monohull. Location: Toledo, Ohio. Asking: $1,200. Sailboat Added 27-Apr-2018 More Details. Home Built One Of A Kind. Length: 15'5' Beam: 4'3' Draft: 6'.

  4. THE LEVANT 15 – Chuck Paine Yacht Design LLC

    The LEVANT 15 fits neatly amid Chuck Paine’s growing fleet of elegant, hand-built in America, keel sailboats for the no-longer athletic sailor. Like his recent larger and smaller designs (the PAINE 14 and YORK 18) she is styled to honor her famous and gorgeous predecessor, the Herreshoff 12½.

  5. Precision Boat Works P-15 Sailboat

    With an unobtrusively low centerboard trunk and an elegantly simple swept spreader three-stay rig, the Precision 15 is beautiful both to see and to sail. And at only 390 pounds fully rigged, she's a snap to trailer and launch.

  6. Melges 15

    The Melges 15 is a double-handed dinghy featuring an asymmetrical spinnaker. Designed by Reichel/Pugh and built by Melges, the Melges 15 prioritizes stability, comfort, ease of use, and performance.