Johnson 18 weekender

[ggencev]

I've been looking to switch to a trailerable ballasted keelboat from my current boat; wayfarer 16.

There's currently a 1985 Johnson 18 weekender listed for sale in my area but I'm not finding much info available on these boats.

Can anyone tell me; are these boats realitivly stable, self righting boats with a self bailing cockpit? What is their true displacement and do they have a removable ballast? Do they all have a shoal-keel/swing down centerboard configuration similar to the precision 18?

Any info you can provide would be much appreciated. Thanks

[Faster]

This is a pretty hi perf dinghy... not a sedate daysailer. This would be very rewarding and fast but, I suspect not too forgiving. However I've not sailed one - just looking at the images though, she should fly....

http://www.johnson18.org/index.html

[ggencev]

That's a photo of the Johnson 18, not the Johnson 18 weekender. They're two completely different boats.

[Faster]

Originally Posted by ggencev

That's a photo of the Johnson 18, not the Johnson 18 weekender. They're two completely different boats.

OK.... sorry Disregard then.

[ggencev]

Here's a photo of the Johnson 18 weekender.
http://www.google.com/imgres?um=1&hl...9,r:1,s:0,i:76

[Faster]

Yes, a different boat indeed... Looks pretty nice, actually. I'd say the cockpit will be self bailing and there's enough 'keel' there that it should have some initial stability. Nice big cockpit and tight overnight accommodation... good for short term 'camper' cruising.

Have you compared to others like the Siren 17, or the smaller Precisions etc?

[ggencev]

A precision 18 initially would be my first choice but used ones aren't always available. The Johnson 18 weekender seems very compared and also maybe less expensive. Also, it seems they were manufactured here in Minnesota by Johnson Boat Works and I like the idea of having a locally manufactured boat.

I did receive a response from the owner and he confirmed the cockpit is self bailing and there are two removable lead ballasts in the keel that weigh 100 lbs each.

[jfletch74]

This reply is late but did you buy the Johnson Weekender 18? I've had one for about 10 years and I would be interested in your opinions if you bought it.

Originally Posted by ggencev

I've been looking to switch to a trailerable ballasted keelboat from my current boat; wayfarer 16.

There's currently a 1985 Johnson 18 weekender listed for sale in my area but I'm not finding much info available on these boats.

Can anyone tell me; are these boats realitivly stable, self righting boats with a self bailing cockpit? What is their true displacement and do they have a removable ballast? Do they all have a shoal-keel/swing down centerboard configuration similar to the precision 18?

Any info you can provide would be much appreciated. Thanks

[ggencev]

I did buy the Johnson 18 and enjoyed throughout the season; it was kept moored on Lake Harriet in Minneapolis.

Are you in the Twin Cities area as well?; I believe about 25 of these boats were manufactured by White Bear Boatworks in the Twin Cities area in in 80's.

From what I can tell the boat is very similar to a Precision 18 in terms of weight ballast and keel configuration.

The one modification I plan on doing this year is having the mainsail trimmed so that it is shorter; the boom is on a sliding gooseneck and it sits head level with the main fully raised. I sailed it with a reef in so I could slide the boom above head level.

It's been a fun boat.