Reader Boat: Precision 165

During my three years of ownership, here are just a few things I’ve observed about my P165. Most of these features have contributed to my joy of sailing this little boat.

- By Ron Dietel

Weight: The light weight (750 lb) of the P165 makes it relatively easy to push off the trailer. I believe the light weight also increases the P165’s downwind performance compared to similarly sized sailboats, due to reduced friction. On multiple occasions I’ve passed larger sailboats downwind, and in some cases, upwind in light air.

Appearance: The P165 looks pretty much like a downsized version of a larger sailboat. It has a relatively sleek foredeck and cabin, while keeping me dry in rough water. I removed nearly all of the original striping and replaced it with a large red stripe and thin blue outline stripe in order to make it stand out from other boats. I also changed all the lettering, enlarging it and using some italics. I get many compliments at the boat ramp, even from motorboat owners, who seem to think it looks “cute.”

Quality/Seaworthiness: I regularly sail in the Pacific Ocean off the Ventura, California coast, and have found that the quality of the P165 seems to be equal to other small sailboats I’ve been aboard. For a small, light sailboat, the coaming does a very good job of keeping ocean spray away.