Back to Search
Hobie 16
Designer: Hobie Alter  ·  Builder: Coast Catamaran Corp. /Coleman Industries  ·  First built: 1969
+ Add to Compare
About the Hobie 16

Since its introduction in 1970, few beach catamarans have achieved the legendary status of this iconic Hobie design. Built for pure sailing excitement, this twin-hulled speedster transformed recreational sailing by making high-performance catamaran sailing accessible to everyday sailors. The boat's lightweight construction and simple rigging system allow for easy beach launching and retrieval, making it perfect for coastal day sailing and recreational racing. Its asymmetrical hulls and flexible trampoline deck create an exhilarating sailing experience, capable of impressive speeds that often exceed those of much larger monohulls. The design's forgiving nature makes it an excellent platform for sailors transitioning from dinghies to multihulls. What sets this catamaran apart is its perfect balance of performance and simplicity. The rotating mast and kick-up rudder system demonstrate thoughtful engineering that prioritizes both speed and shallow-water capability. Beach sailing enthusiasts particularly appreciate the boat's ability to sail directly onto sandy shores. With decades of one-design racing heritage and an active class association, this Hobie model remains a cornerstone of beach catamaran sailing. Its enduring popularity stems from delivering pure sailing thrills while maintaining the user-friendly characteristics that made Hobie a household name in sailing.

Market Price Estimate Beta
$1,200 – $3,200
typical asking price · boat only
Median $2,000  ·  13 listings used
Boat only
$1,200 – $3,200 13
With trailer
$1,000 – $1,000 1
Rate a listing price
$
About this estimate
  • Prices are based on recent asking prices from public listings — not actual sale prices, which are typically lower.
  • Condition is not factored in. A well-maintained boat with new sails and engine can be worth significantly more than a project boat of the same model.
  • Location affects price. Boats in landlocked states or areas with fewer buyers often sell for less than those on the coast.
  • Year of manufacture is not filtered. Older examples of this model will generally be priced lower than newer ones.
  • Included equipment varies widely. A boat with a full suite of electronics, dodger, and new standing rigging may command a large premium.
  • Outliers are automatically excluded using statistical filtering to improve accuracy, but some bad data may remain.
Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 16.58 ft / 5.05 m
Beam 7.92 ft / 2.41 m
Max Draft 0.83 ft / 0.25 m
Displacement 320.00 lb / 145 kg
Design & Construction
Hull Type Catamaran (no boards/asym.)
Rigging Type Frac. Sloop (Rotating Spar)
Construction FG
Designer Hobie Alter
Builder Coast Catamaran Corp. /Coleman Industries
First Built 1969
Number Built 135000
Owner Reviews

No owner reviews yet — be the first to share your experience with this boat.

Performance Ratios
Displacement/Length Displacement to Length ratio measures how heavy a boat is relative to its waterline length. Lower values mean a lighter, faster boat.
Under 100 — Ultralight racer100–200 — Light cruiser/racer200–300 — Moderate cruiser300–400 — Heavy cruiserOver 400 — Very heavy
51.04
Comfort Ratio Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio predicts how comfortable a boat will feel in offshore conditions. Higher values mean a steadier, more comfortable motion in a seaway.
Under 20 — Uncomfortably rough20–30 — Acceptable coastal30–40 — Good offshore comfortOver 40 — Very comfortable offshore
2.1
Capsize Screening Formula The USHS Capsize Screening Formula estimates offshore capsize risk. Lower is safer — values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing.
Under 2.0 — Safe for offshore2.0–2.2 — Borderline offshoreOver 2.2 — Coastal use recommended
4.63
Hull Speed Hull Speed is the theoretical maximum speed of a displacement hull, calculated from waterline length. Most cruising sailboats reach this speed in moderate conditions. 5.03 kn
Pounds/Inch Immersion Pounds per Inch Immersion (PPI) tells you how much weight is needed to sink the boat one inch. Useful for calculating how additional gear and stores affect waterline. 2.39 pounds/inch
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 74.63
P (Mainsail Luff) 218.00 ft² / 20.25 m²
E (Mainsail Foot) Hobie Alter
How It Compares

vs. Nacra 500, Tornado Texas, Trac 16

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Hobie 16 ★
16.6 ft
Nacra 500
16.4 ft
Tornado Texas
16.4 ft
Trac 16
16.4 ft
LWL
Hobie 16 ★
Nacra 500
Tornado Texas
15.6 ft
Trac 16
15.9 ft
Beam
Hobie 16 ★
7.9 ft
Nacra 500
8.2 ft
Tornado Texas
5.6 ft
Trac 16
8.0 ft
Displacement
Hobie 16 ★
320 lbs
Nacra 500
297 lbs
Tornado Texas
425 lbs
Trac 16
359 lbs
Sail Area
Hobie 16 ★
Nacra 500
190 sq ft
Tornado Texas
160 sq ft
Trac 16
194 sq ft
Performance
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Hobie 16 ★
Nacra 500
68.4
Tornado Texas
45.3
Trac 16
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Hobie 16 ★
2.1
Nacra 500
Tornado Texas
4.2
Trac 16
2.2
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Hobie 16 ★
4.63
Nacra 500
Tornado Texas
2.97
Trac 16
4.51
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Hobie 16 ★
51
Nacra 500
Tornado Texas
50
Trac 16
Hull Speed
Hobie 16 ★
5.0 kts
Nacra 500
Tornado Texas
5.3 kts
Trac 16
5.4 kts
Find a Hobie 16 For Sale