Hobie Cat 16 Design Specifications

The Hobie Cat 16 is a catamaran sailing craft suitable for entry-level sailors and world champions alike. In 1969, in California, Hobie Alter introduced the boat, which he and his friend Phil Edwards designed. Its high-performance design combined in a easy-to-sail hull caught on quickly. By 1997, when it was inducted into the American Sailboat Hall of Fame, Hobie Cat had sold more than 100,000 boats. According to the Hall of Fame, reasons for its popularity include that it's easy-to-launch from the beach, it's trailerable by even small automobiles and its hull shape is easy to sail but powerful enough for use in world-class competitions.

  1. Specifications

    • The Hobie 16 measures 16 feet, 7 inches long. The beam measures 7 feet, 11 inches wide. The rudder-up draft is 10 inches, which allows sailors to land and launch from the beach. The boat weighs 320 lbs. It carries up to 800 lbs.

    Sail Plan

    • The 26-foot-6-inch mast holds a 218-square-foot sail. Hobie Cat offers the sail, made from race-ready Dacron, in two colors: Hot Tamale or Seabreeze. Hot Tamale blends panels of red, white and gray. A mix of blue, green and yellow panels make up the Seabreeze-colored sail.

    Rudder and Hulls

    • The asymmetrical-shaped hulls are made from fiberglass. Because the hulls are asymmetrical, they eliminate the need for daggerboards. The Hobie Cat 16 includes a kick-up rudder for easy beaching. A raised mesh trampoline connects the hulls and keeps you dry during sailing.

    Options

    • Hobie Cat Company offers two options for the Hobie 16. The first is a spinnaker kit with a snuffer system. The second is an aluminum trailer that includes a mast stand and double rollers for the hulls.