The Guppy 16 is with a quick, snappy motion best suited to day sailing.
Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
5.1 kts
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 14.5′, the Guppy 16 tops out around 5.1 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √14.5′ LWL = 5.1 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
Displacement / Length
132
Ultralight — responsive and fast, but carries less stores.
Comfort Ratio
7.6
Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.
Capsize Screening
2.70
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Hull Speed
5.1kts
Pounds/Inch Immersion
2lbs
Weight needed to sink the hull one inch — loading sensitivity.
Motion & Offshore Suitability
Two ratios that matter most when you're planning passages — how the boat feels in a seaway, and whether the hull geometry is suitable for open ocean.
Comfort Ratio
7.6
Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
2.70
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Under 2.0 — Acceptable for offshore
Over 2.0 — Coastal / protected waters
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Guppy 16 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Precision 165
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Guppy 16.
| Guppy 16 | Capri 165 Catalina | Grumman Flyer | Precision 165 | Sparrow 16 | Tanzer 16 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||||||
| LOA | 16.3 | 16.5 | 16.2 | 16.4 | 16.3 | 16.3 |
| LWL | 14.5 | 14.7 | 14.5 | 15.3 | 14.5 | 15.3 |
| Beam | 6.5 | 6.8 | 6.7 | 7.2 | 6.5 | 6.2 |
| Displacement | 900 | 950 | 320 | 750 | 900 | 450 |
| Ballast | — | 350 | — | 250 | 350 | — |
| Sail Area | — | 103 | 149 | 159 | 127 | — |
| Performance | ||||||
| PHRF | — | — | — | 270 | — | — |
| SA/Disp | — | 17.0 | 51.0 | 30.9 | 21.8 | — |
| Bal/Disp | — | 36.8 | — | 33.3 | — | — |
| Comfort | 7.6 | 3.1 | 2.6 | 5.4 | 7.6 | — |
| Capsize | 2.70 | 3.71 | 3.90 | 3.15 | 2.70 | — |
| Hull Speed | 5.1 | 5.3 | 5.1 | 5.2 | 5.1 | — |