Resuscitating a 1993 Precision 15' CB

[PapawBrett]

Retired, widower and starting into sailing with a 31 year old Precision 15 footer. Seems like everything I look at means more to fix. So far it's all trailer repair. Hopefully within a week I'll have that straightened out and will be up to the boat.
Any suggestions or advice on old PBW 15' would be appreciated, thanks. Papaw

[Riggerdood]

Welcome Papaw! You've made a great choice for a starter boat. Trailer repair is fairly straightforward, as they all (mostly) use the same parts, just different shapes and sizes. The same can be said for sailboats in many cases. What are you seeing on the boat itself that needs repair?

[PapawBrett]

Welcome Papaw! You've made a great choice for a starter boat. Trailer repair is fairly straightforward, as they all (mostly) use the same parts, just different shapes and sizes. The same can be said for sailboats in many cases. What are you seeing on the boat itself that needs repair?

Right now, I have all ready purchased 150' 5/8 Low Stretch Line ( Main Halyard and Sheet, Jib Halyard) and 100' 1/4 Low Stretch ( Jib Sheets and Boom Vang) to replace lines. At first glance the stainless steel Forward Stay and Both Shrouds, along with all of the SS Fixtures, looks to be in good shape.
I will be taking the rudder apart to examine the wood. I have no idea how to examine the centerboard while on the trailer.
When I went to buy this boat, I took cardboard and a flashlight so I could go under the trailer and examine the hull. No holes, abrasions, cracks or rough spots. For $1900 I at least wanted it to float. Also, I asked the Broker to have the mast and sails up when I got there for examination, and he did. The Fiberglass looks clean, no holes/ rips/ repairs to the sails (polyester, not canvas). The aluminum mast and boom appear to be in good condition.
Once I get the trailer straitened out,I'll move the boat from the driveway to the backyard where I'll have overhead space to raise the mast and get into it a little closer.

[pgandw]

I hope you meant 3/8" line and not 5/8" line for the halyards.  I'm not sure your blocks will take 5/8" line.  Standard rigging specs for the 19ft Mariner:
- halyards:  1/4" line
- sheets:  5/16" line (midboom sheeting, 3/8" line for Crosby rig (main sheet has triangle at transom)
- downhauls and outhauls:  3/16" line
- I have 1/4" line on my 3:1 boom vang, I may need 4:1.  The v-slot with 3:1 kept slipping.  The size of the main on the Mariner and the length of the boom makes the vang critical.  The long boom on the Mariner can easily catch on the backstay during a jibe if the main is not decently vanged.  A great way for an unexpected entry into the water.

I have cam cleats on the main and jib sheets (2), and topping lift.  I just installed cam cleats on boom vang, and Tiller Clutch (2).  The rest are normal cleats -  halyards (2), boom downhaul, clew outhaul, cunningham, tack reef line, clew reef line.  Have not needed a cleat on the jib downhaul, but definitely needed a downhaul.

Fred W
Stuart Mariner 19  #4133
Yeopim Creek, Albemarle Sound, NC

[Riggerdood]

Right now, I have all ready purchased 150' 5/8 Low Stretch Line ( Main Halyard and Sheet, Jib Halyard) and 100' 1/4 Low Stretch ( Jib Sheets and Boom Vang) to replace lines. At first glance the stainless steel Forward Stay and Both Shrouds, along with all of the SS Fixtures, looks to be in good shape.
I will be taking the rudder apart to examine the wood. I have no idea how to examine the centerboard while on the trailer.
When I went to buy this boat, I took cardboard and a flashlight so I could go under the trailer and examine the hull. No holes, abrasions, cracks or rough spots. For $1900 I at least wanted it to float. Also, I asked the Broker to have the mast and sails up when I got there for examination, and he did. The Fiberglass looks clean, no holes/ rips/ repairs to the sails (polyester, not canvas). The aluminum mast and boom appear to be in good condition.
Once I get the trailer straitened out,I'll move the boat from the driveway to the backyard where I'll have overhead space to raise the mast and get into it a little closer.

Sure sounds like she's in great shape overall. For CB inspection, if you have the space in the backyard, you might be able to yard launch and careen the boat to get access. I used to do it with my O'Day Daysailer, easy peasy.

For the standing rigging, you are mainly looking for any sharp kinks or bends in the cable, and any rust/corrosion/broken strands where the end fittings are swaged on, since that is the most common failure point.

[PapawBrett]

I'm correcting a misspoken statement....
5/16" double braided polyester, and 1/4" double braided polyester. As required according to the General Specifications listed for the 15' on the Precision Website.
Both Low Stretch, and mild, mildew and rot resistant.
Sorry about the previous post ..

[PapawBrett]

Back again...
So I finally have my trailer straightened out (Ford has two separate fuses for trailer lights and trailer signals).
Breezy today, so I just raised the mast and checked the rigging. All the stainless looks good, going to replace the lines anyway.
But I am confused... Does the sail hold up the boom ? I know the slots in mast and boom are for the mainsail. The forward end of the boom does too, but nothing holds it up...
A little advice, please...

[Wolverine]

On most small sailboats the main sail holds up the boom.  You can add a sail track stop under the boom to keep it from dropping when lowering the main.

https://sailm8.com/products/davis-sail-track-stops-flat

[PapawBrett]

On most small sailboats the main sail holds up the boom.  You can add a sail track stop under the boom to keep it from dropping when lowering the main.

https://sailm8.com/products/davis-sail-track-stops-flat

That looks like something I could definitely use.
Thanks!

[Quantico Frank]

Brett, welcome! I had a P15CB for a few years and ended up rigging a topping lift which is handy when the main is not in use. I don't remember any issues with the main raised, however I did use a mast gate and stop when I converted the sail for slugs. Does your sail have slugs right now?

[PapawBrett]

Brett, welcome! I had a P15CB for a few years and ended up rigging a topping lift which is handy when the main is not in use. I don't remember any issues with the main raised, however I did use a mast gate and stop when I converted the sail for slugs. Does your sail have slugs right now?

The mainsail is still in a bag. It's been breezy/ windy here in the Piedmont area (near Charlotte) so I haven't set up the sails yet. If memory serves (debatable) the main has a heavy cord down into the luff (?) and there is an open area in the lower part of the mast groove where you feed the luff into the mast.
Once this tropical depression moves on, maybe I'll get a chance to raise the sails...

[tjspiel]

Brett, welcome! I had a P15CB for a few years and ended up rigging a topping lift which is handy when the main is not in use. I don't remember any issues with the main raised, however I did use a mast gate and stop when I converted the sail for slugs. Does your sail have slugs right now?

The mainsail is still in a bag. It's been breezy/ windy here in the Piedmont area (near Charlotte) so I haven't set up the sails yet. If memory serves (debatable) the main has a heavy cord down into the luff (?) and there is an open area in the lower part of the mast groove where you feed the luff into the mast.
Once this tropical depression moves on, maybe I'll get a chance to raise the sails...

Yes, that sounds right. That cord is called a "bolt rope". One of the few "rope like things" on a sailboat that's actually called a rope.

Newer mainsails often have "slugs" attached to the luff that go into the mast track instead of the bolt rope.

[rfljr@aol.com]

I am also a retiree who recently bought a Precision 15 CB a few monthe ago.  It's of good quality, stable, and easily man-handled both on land and in the water.  Some random thoughts as follows:  A motor of some sort is a great help when leaving launching ramps.  I have a small trolling motor now, suitable for calm days, and am considering a 2.5 HP gas outboard. I store the boat at home and launch each time I sail.  If the boat was kept on a mooring I'd probably do without a motor. A toppimg lift to hold up the boom when the main sail is down, to me is essential.  Simplest version is a light line tied at top of mast and end of boom.  You can get fancier with a few fittings to make it adjustable.  Any time I buy a trailer, I have the bearings replaced.  I just had new hubs and bearings installed for about $200.  I like to have guides on the trailer that make it easier to retrieve the boat when the wind is blowing and you can't get it straight on the trailer.  My boat came with a roller furling jib.  Clearly not required but for me (in my 70s) it was mandatory for single handing.  As an add on, it's available from Precision.  You'll need the excellent Harken furling gear as well as a new jib for a total of about $800. By adding one cam cleat near the mast step and by attaching a line to the forestay, I'm able to step the mast by myself.  I'm sure others have good solutions for this as well.  Personally, because I'm not so flexible anymore, I find the seats and the tiller, a bit low.  I'm considering cushions and a different tiller although neither are required.  My wife says that I enjoy working on boats more than sailing them.  I think she might be right.

[PapawBrett]

I am also a retiree who recently bought a Precision 15 CB a few monthe ago.  It's of good quality, stable, and easily man-handled both on land and in the water.  Some random thoughts as follows:  A motor of some sort is a great help when leaving launching ramps.  I have a small trolling motor now, suitable for calm days, and am considering a 2.5 HP gas outboard. I store the boat at home and launch each time I sail.  If the boat was kept on a mooring I'd probably do without a motor.
  Any time I buy a trailer, I have the bearings replaced.  I just had new hubs and bearings installed for about $200.  I like to have guides on the trailer that make it easier to retrieve the boat when the wind is blowing and you can't get it straight on the trailer. 

There are two sections of 2X8 mounted on the stern. Port side is for a small motor (pricing a 2.5 hp outboard), and the starboard side has a fold up swimming ladder attached. Definitely want the motor.
Part of my trailer work was new hubs/ bearings/ seals and new rims/ tires. I was able to get the Hub Assembly at eTrailer for about $34. Handpacked the bearings with marine grease myself, and installed in the driveway. New lighting as well.
Don't know about the roller jib systems yet. They look easier. If the Jib gets to be a problem, then maybe I'll go that route.

[PapawBrett]

So...
Using one ton jack, two 4" X 6" X 8' beams, and 12 cement blocks, I was able to lift my boat off of the trailer and examine/ paint underneath. The centerboard had a few nicks, filled easily enough. Sea Hawk 33 AF bottom cost ($60 a quart online) for two coats, and she's back on the trailer. Raised the mast and boom just to get a look at assembly/ associated fittings. Found a couple loose rivets on one of the stays, easily fixed.
Next is replacing a few wood trim pieces. Thinking pressure treated, stained maybe twice, then three coats of marine varnish.
Maybe for Christmas Santa will bring me a 2.5 HP 20"shaft outboard for ramps and /or emergency. Any good outboard dealers online ?