1985 Prindle 16 Catamaran

Dealer Overview

"Step into the golden age of beach cat racing and high-speed coastal thrill-seeking with the legendary 1985 Prindle 16. Originally drafted by surf-sailing icon Geoff Prindle, the Prindle 16 was engineered to directly challenge the beach-cat hierarchy, fast becoming the favorite choice for purist sailors who demanded a sharper, more responsive, and forgiving ride than the cookie-cutter catamarans of the 1980s.

Built with asymmetrical fiberglass hulls and optimized kick-up rudders, the Prindle 16 completely eliminates the need for high-maintenance daggerboards, allowing you to launch straight off the sand and charge through the surf zone effortlessly. Because of its unique hull profile, this ultra-lightweight racer delivers incredible lift to prevent pitch-pole 'nose diving' when trapped out on heavy downwind reaches. For vintage sailing enthusiasts, coastal adventurers, or those seeking a highly communicative beach cat that flies a hull on a light afternoon breeze, this classic Prindle 16 delivers pure, unadulterated wind power."

Performance & Structural Innovation

Asymmetric 'Banany' Hulls: Unlike traditional symmetric hull shapes that require drop-down boards to track straight, the Prindle 16 carries an aggressive asymmetrical curve on the inboard hull walls. This acts as a natural hydrofoil to bite into the water, minimize leeway, and drive the boat upwind with remarkable efficiency.
Pitch-Pole Defying Bow Lift: Engineered with a continuous rocker and high-volume bow sections, the Prindle hulls naturally resist digging into heavy waves—providing a safer, more predictable platform when running downwind in a stiff breeze.
No-Fuss Kick-Up Rudders: Built to withstand the harsh realities of shallow water and beach landings, the spring-loaded aluminum rudders automatically flip backward upon making contact with underwater hazards or sandbars, protecting your steering linkages from structural damage.
High-Tension Trampoline Deck: Features a rugged, heavy-duty vinyl or mesh trampoline frame laced tight across heavy-wall anodized aluminum crossbeams, creating a highly communicative, ultra-rigid platform for the captain and crew.

Technical Specifications

Length Overall (LOA): 16' 0"
Beam Width (Width): 7' 11"
Draft (Rudders Up): 4" – 5"
Total Sail Area: Approx. 189 sq. ft. (Main + Jib)
Crew Capacity: 1–3 Passengers (Ideal racing crew: 2)
Approx. Fully Rigged Weight: 315 lbs
Hull Material: Hand-laid fiberglass laminate

Dealer Showcase & Period Rigging Components

Please note: Component configurations listed below represent common period factory rigging options and popular class-legal upgrades. Exact sail inventory and hardware brands may vary based on pre-owned unit status.
Fully Battened Dacron Mainsail: Heavy-duty, high-roach mainsail utilizing full-length composite fiberglass battens to maintain an optimal aerodynamic foil shape in light or heavy air.
Seaway® or Harken® Block Tackle: Upgraded multi-purchase mainsheet block system allowing the crew to sheet in or dump wind pressure instantly with minimal physical exertion.
Dual Trapeze Rigging: Factory-installed wire stays and harness hooks, letting both the captain and crew fully extend their body weight out past the gunwales to flatten the boat and maximize speed.
Barber Hauler Jib Control: Quick-adjust fairleads allowing fine-tuned sail trim adjustments to maintain ideal entry angles on close-hauled upwind legs.
Comptip™ Safety Mast: Period-correct composite fiberglass upper mast section designed to reduce weight aloft and insulate the rig against accidental power line contact at launch ramps.
Custom Single-Axle Catamaran Trailer: Lightweight galvanized or painted frame featuring padded hull cradles, a forward mast support stanchion, and an integrated gear storage box.