Prindle 16 specifications

Is there a NARCA Sailing Assoc. near by? They might have the info and be able to help.

Then again, I don't know much.

It appears that you boat is a 1984 but check the last digit on the boat to make sure that it is correct. SUR stands for Surfglass which was the manufacturer and was based out of California, and is now Performance Catamarans. Phone number in California is 1-714-835-6416, remember the time difference if you try and call. The original boat weighed 300 pounds all up and what that means is it weighed 300 pounds with sails, mast rudders, tramp and all blocks. The hull ID number is usually stamped on the transom of the hull starting with SUR. Just make sure that you have copied the ID correctly.

The boat could be a 1984 model built in February of 1984, if the last digit on you hull number (HIN) is a G instead of a 6, the numbers are hand etched so sometimes hard to read.

The numbering system changed sometime during 1984, your boat appears to have the old number system.

"quote from the Hobie site"
Just before the latest serial number system, the following format was used:

Sample Serial Number "CCMP8281M81G"

Built in "M" Model Year
"81" 1981
"G" Production Month (A=August, B=September...) February 1981

Since the model year started in August, having a G at the end of your number means built in February.

Thank you for your help
You are right, the that digit is a G and not a 6

Concerning Performance catamaran society, their web site doesn't work anymore, do you know some email to contact them ?

You can get a copy of the owners manual here:

http://www.thebeachcats.com/pictures/?g2_itemId=75669&g2_GALLERYSID=b5cb4403a7873f45772893c6f476d7ce.

Also if you need something more official looking you can order a printed one here:

http://www.murrays.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=56-9050&Category_Code=C-BV&Store_Code=MS

Try www.nacrasailing.com

Here is a site that will help you decode the HIN #. Note the change in what the last letter means, depending on the year, "G" could mean Feb, or July.
The HIN # should be all that you need, it is the equivalent of the VIN # to register an automobile. If the weights differ, it shouldn't be by much. I would just use the # the French authorities have. The actual boat you have will probably weigh a bit more, as there may be some water absorbtion.

I have try on nacrasailing.com last week but no answers yet.
As I understand, the change in last letter definition appears on 1984 so I am fully concerned.
So according to you, my G is February or July ?
Concerning the difference between french federation caracteristics and prindle specification, it is some conversion problems between lbs an kg and sq ft and m².
300 lbs = 136 kg and 189 sq ft = 17.55 m².
So the prindle sheet is false !
Thank you for murray link, I think that I will give my old lady a second youth.

It appears that the French Federation is just jerking your chain, it also happens over here in the USA.

gyls29 wrote:
So according to you, my G is February or July ?

My understanding is the G means February
A= August
B= September
C= October
D= November
E= December
F= January
G= February
etc...

Thank you for murray link, I think that I will give my old lady a second youth.

After you get sailing and fixed up post some picture of your sailing area, we don't get a lot of French visitors even though I know catamaran sailing is much bigger in your country than here.

Sorry GYLS29, looks like I forgot to attach the website, here it is.

http://boatsafe.com/nauticalknowhow/hin.htm

Damon, the letter is different pre/post Aug 1 1984.

"Boats manufactured or imported on or after August 1, 1984, also have a duplicate secondary HIN affixed somewhere on an unexposed location inside the boat or beneath a fitting or item of hardware. The purpose is to help authorities identify your boat if a thief or vandals remove or damage the primary HIN on the transom. It is illegal for anyone (manufacturer, dealer, distributor, or owner) to alter or remove a HIN without the express written authorization of the Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard."

It seems finding this second # would tell you whether it was post or pre Aug 1, but I have no idea where they hide this # on Cats

Edited by Edchris177 on May 07, 2011 - 04:40 PM.

Edchris177 wrote: Damon, the letter is different pre/post Aug 1 1984.

No, look at your page again. The lettering system did change but not for HIN's that END in a letter. The part you quoted doesn't have anything to do with what the letter at the end of the HIN means.

If an HIN ends in a letter then it is definitely before August 1984. The letters at the end of these early HIN's decode like my list above where August = A and February = G.

So under the old system M84G means "model year 1984 built in February of 1984" where if that had been M84A it would mean "model year 1984 built in August of 1983".

Under the new system a 1985 model built in February would have the last four digits of B585 where B now means February under the new system. The new system is more clear for the boats built in August - December because now if an 1985 model year boat was built in August of 1984 the last four digits would be H485.

Clear as mud?

It is clear for me !

I think there is a great number of french visitor because your forum is well know, but maybe not so many people motivated to post in english...
I ask my question in this forum because prindle community is more more limited in France than in US.
For information, I sail in Brest in full west of France.
I work on some modification and reparation on my boat, I will try to put some pictures in technical part.

Thanks for that correction. I read it a little closer, & also noted the following, which most Cat builders seem to have ignored.
"On catamarans and pontoon boats the HIN must be affixed on the aft crossbeam within one foot of the starboard hull attachment."

this site has the largest group of prindle sailors i have found. it's a testimate to the rugged construction and quality materials used in the boat when so many are still in service. the rudders are your most difficult thing to master but it only takes one good time through to get it. soft spots are the most common repair and they are relatively simple. parts have not been an issue for me to date, if i do have a need for some off the wall things i'm sure pbeagle(prindle pete) has a bunch of them laying around somewhere. the boats are simple and well designed and fast enough to scratch that speed itch! keep in touch and don't worry about your english, it's better than most peoples where i live!

I have my paper !!!
thank you all for your help.
Now I am working on the waterthighness of my mast, and I have some gelcoat impact to solve before sailing.

my name is evan and i have just picked up a prindle 16 . i live in australia and the serial number on the transom is aus5681. just wondering if that means it is the 56th prindle built in australia and its a 1981 model. can anyone help me with this please 😕