Launched in 1971 by designer Geoff Prindle, this 16-foot catamaran became one of the most successful small beach cats in sailing history, with approximately 9,000 hulls produced over its production run. The fiberglass foam sandwich construction creates lightweight yet durable hulls that are easy to beach launch and retrieve, making it an ideal choice for recreational sailing and catamaran racing. With its fractional sloop rig featuring a rotating mast, the Prindle 16 delivers impressive performance for its size. The SA/Displacement ratio of 67.55 indicates this is a genuinely quick boat that rewards skilled handling with exhilarating speed and the ability to get up on one hull in fresh conditions. The shallow 1.83-foot draft and retractable daggerboards allow exploration of skinny waters and easy beaching. Perfect for coastal sailing, small lake adventures, and one-design racing, this catamaran offers an excellent introduction to multihull sailing while remaining challenging enough for experienced sailors. The boat's forgiving nature, combined with its thrilling performance potential, explains why it became a cornerstone of the beach catamaran market and remains highly sought after in the used boat market today.
- 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.
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vs. Dart 16, Isotope, Nacra 500