Prindle 18-2

This page contains all information I’ve found or figured out about the Prindle 18-2 in the hope that the information is useful to someone in the future.

Assembling

This boat has the following modifications compared to the original:

• Main sail downhaul connected with a pulley an to swivel cleat(s) with a 4:1 advantage.
• Jib not fixed in place via S-ring but via halyard.

Required tools for assembling are:

• One 9/16" (14 mm) wrench for the front crossbar.
• Two 1/2" (13 mm) wrenches for the rear crossbar.
• Large screwdriver for the rear crossbar.
• Silicone sealant for all crossbar bolts.
• Grease for the crossbar bolts.
• Green soap (or equivalent) for guiding the trampoline.

Steps are as follows for a disassembled rig, with references to the manual.

1. Connect crossbars (p. 3-5):
   1. Lay both front and rear cross bars on the hulls.
   2. Grease bolt holes.
   3. Grease bolt threads.
   4. Put silicone sealant on the washer and nut for the rear crossbar.
   5. Tighten all bolts with fingers only. Use screw for the rear inside crossbar bolts, the 5/16" bolts for the read outside crossbar bolts, and the 3/8" bolts for the front crossbar.
   6. Tighten all bolts until 1/8" (3 mm) from being tight.
   7. Snug down all bolts.
   8. Tighten all bolts.
2. Connect trapeze shock cord (p. 5):
   1. Tie a piece of 1/8" by 2’ (3 mm by 60 cm) paracord to one end of the shock cord. A piece of tape works better than a knot.
   2. Feed the line through the white fairleads.
   3. Attach hooks to shock cord.
   4. Repeat for other shock cord.
3. Trampoline (p. 5-7):
   1. Unzip rear trampoline.
   2. Slide trampoline in front crossbar until centered.
   3. Slide trampoline down sides. Use soap if needed.
   4. Slide trampoline rear in rear crossbar.
   5. Lace back of trampoline. Start in front starboard grommet with stopper knot (double overhand) underneath.
   6. Tighten and tie line off under trampoline. Do not trim excess.
   7. Lace side of trampoline. Start in front inboard grommet with stopper knot (double overhand) underneath.
   8. Tighten and tie line off under trampoline. Do not trim excess.
4. Four way jib (p. 8-10).
   1. Follow manual and leave attached to trampoline if possible.
5. Rudder system (p. 11-14).
   1. Connect rudders.
6. Masts and rigging (p. 14-20):
   1. Check spreaders, diamond wires and mast rotator.
   2. Connect shrouds (in one of the upper holes).
   3. Connect trapeze wires.
   4. Connect bow brindle wires.
   5. Connect mast step hinge.
   6. Raise mast.
   7. Attach forestay.
   8. Tighten forestay (see manual for tuning).
   9. Check diamond wire tension (see manual).
7. Sails (p. 21-25):
   1. Hoist mainsail, ensure ring is connected. Store line in pocket.
   2. Connect boom.
   3. Connect outhaul to boom.
   4. Connect mast rotator.
   5. Connect downhaul via cheek blocks on mast.
   6. Connect mainsheet blocks to traveller and boom.
   7. Connect traveller to mainsheet end or connected line.
   8. Hoist jib. Lead halyard back through zipper and store in zipper when using S-ring, keep it outside and connect to mast otherwise.
   9. Connect jib sheet.
8. Final steps (p. 26-27):
   1. Connect righting line.
   2. Connect sheet jam preventor.
   3. Tighten rig tension.
   4. Insert/rig centerboards.

Rigging

Line lengths for the rigging:

All for double-braided polymer line. Sourced from the Prindle catalog and the beach cats archive, where standing rigging can also be found.

H.Gens’ list for the Prindle 19 contains some differences:

It is safe to say that those sizes work just as well.

Useful resources

Original Prindle documents:

• Prindle 18-2 and 19 manual.
• Prindle Parts Catalog (includes rigging diagrams).

Other resources:

• H.Gens’ (excellent) Prindle 19 basics.
• Wikipedia: Prindle 18-2.

There are also manuals which seem to have lost some information in the conversion. Follow at your own peril:

• Prindle 18-2 and 19 manual.
• Prindle 15, 16 and 18 manual.