This is a great boat for anybody looking to improve their sailing skills, learn about spinnakers or just go fast. The Johnson 18 was designed for the 1996 Atlanta Olympics as a 2 person racing boat, so it's quite quick, but isn't overwhelming for beginner to intermediate sailors. It has a lot of the design features of a modern sportboat such as a carbon fiber retractable spinnaker pole, open transom, planing hull and asymmetrical spinnaker, but costs a fraction of what new race boats this size go for.
Overall the boat is in great shape and comes with everything needed to get out on the water today. Its wide beam keeps the boat stable and increases hiking ability upwind while the A kite provides a lot more fun on the downwind legs. It also has nice rounded edges in the cockpit which makes things a lot more comfortable while out on the water. It's been sailed weekly this season in the Wednesday Night Races on Clear Lake, both boat and trailer rinsed at the end of each evening and always covered when not in use. Boat and trailer both have current registration (boat is registered till 2018).
Boat hull 186.
There is a class website with more information about the boat’s characteristics (Johnson18.org) as well as a great Google group (https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/johnson-18-one-design).
Notable information about the boat:
Roller furling jib
Retractable carbon fiber bowsprit
All four hiking pads and bungees recently replaced
Open transom (great for allowing water to drain out the rear of the boat but also makes it very easy to get in or out of the boat on the water)
Self-retracing centerboard was recently reinforced, faired and repainted
Retractable rudder with nice tiller extension and new cover
Includes two full sets of sails - main, jib and spinnaker (one set is original and in working condition and second set is almost new/used about a dozen times)
Includes a custom made low-profile float that the top of the mainsail sleeves into (helps tremendously in the event of a capsize)
Running and standing rigging in good working condition
Includes three covers each in good working condition: a gray Harken all weather cover (for mast down storage), a blue Sunbrella cover (for mast up storage), and a jib cover/snorkel (for mast up storage)
Galvanized trailer in very good condition
Comes with a hoisting bridal (if using a crane to launch)
Boat dimensions are:
LOA: 18'
Beam: 6' 7"
Draft: Board up 5", board down 4'
Displacement: 480 lbs
Mainsail: 127.7 sq ft
Jib: 56.6 sq ft
Spinnaker: 256 sq ft
Mast Length: 23'
And of course, if you’re seriously interested I'd be happy to take you out for a test sail and explain how to rig/de-rig the boat.
Asking price is $3900.
Boat is located in Clear Lake, TX (southeast of Houston, TX).