Renken 18

[jjohnsonmarine]

Has anyone ever sailed a Renken 18 or Tangerine 18? I'm just curious to see other peoples opinion of the lil thing. It is my first sloop rigged boat after learning on a sunfish. If anyone has any tips for me that would be great.

[jeffbarca]

It is a beautiful boat. In fact, I spent over 4K remodeling mine. The problem is it likes to drift from side to side. It really does not like to go straight and the stearing gets to be a little problematic when you want to go in one direction and the boat wants to go in another. You better have a good, strong outboard engine to get you back where you want to go should a storm come up.
It still is fun to sail in open water, just keep in mind that you will have to go back. That when the engine comes in handy.

[jjohnsonmarine]

Well I must say I've found that out...your post is about a year late! That's ok though...which Renken did or do you have? I saw in with a nice traveler set up with winches for a bigger headsail. Anyway...I'm putting a 6 HP Johnson on the back....look at some of the pics I've posted of the new paint job I just put on her. The crabbing is a problem...I heard some scuttlebut about a centerboard version that was made, but I've never seen it...its a great first boat though, and small enough to sail all the time!

[jeffbarca]

It is the original Tangerine 1978 18 footer. I have a 8hp 4 stroke yamaha for the base in the back.

[jeffbarca]

The pictures were taken with my cell phone. Sorry.

[jjohnsonmarine]

Very nice boat...I like the idea of the opening ports you added. There isn't much ventilation in the cabin.

[jeffbarca]

Your boat is nice as well. I am really glad that you and I put the effort forth to bring back these boats to the quality they once were as new. I have seen many others and they were not in the best of shape. I like your railing in the front and the latter in the rear. The two-tone color is beautiful. I really wanted the color that you had, but decided on keeping it the same original color at the last minute.I think you must have a Renken, is that correct? I noticed the later models came with those options. I also believe that they came with a cover with windows in case of a storm while sailing. Thanks for sending me your photo. I have many from previous owners, but I must admit not as nice as ours.
Thanks,
Jeff

[jjohnsonmarine]

Are you a member of the Renken 18 forum? It's for the tangerine and sigma as well.

[s/vPainkiller]

Wow! Takes me back. The Renken 18 was my first boat. I bought mine in 1985 and I think it was an 80-ish model. Had lots of fun on Lake Murray, SC with it. Quite a few boats since then, but you never forget your first, eh?

Scott

[jjohnsonmarine]

I'm looking at various boats for Florida to the Bahamas sailing as my next boat...if I stay trailerable ill go with a Seaward 26rk, but my dream boats are the full keel Lyle Hess boats...the Nor'sea and the cutters. I might look at the Tartan 27 or the Bayfield 29.

[jjohnsonmarine]

I love the PS Dana 24 as well...a classic "Gentleman Bill" design...the Hess and Crealock boats are crazy expensive though.

[jeffbarca]

The Tarton 27 is an excellent boat> I know several people that have them down here and they love em.

[s/vPainkiller]

I saw a couple Bayfield 36's cruising the Bahamas this past winter. Nice boat with lots of character.

[jjohnsonmarine]

It's interesting, the bayfields aren't around anymore, but gozzard yachts in Canada is the successor. Same designer. The thing I can't get over is the price differences of some of these boats....the difference between the older tartans and bayfields, compared to the Dana for example.

[Richard214]

Hello,I used to have a Rakin 18.sold it when I moved to England. It was a good boat that you could take with you put in the water on trips. My had blue and white sails.And it had a 2.5hp motor. I miss my Rakin 18 it was fun to sail. One day I will get another one. I used to sail it on the James river,York river, and Hill bay and The Chesapeaka Bay in Virginia. And arown Gwynn's Island where I grew up. Alway's had a sailboad & a fishing boat.one day I will get a new sail boatI hope to get a Rakin 18 if I can find one.