Toughest 16ft beach cat? :: Catamaran Sailboats at TheBeachcats.com

Toughest 16ft beach cat?

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DamonLinkous

Rank: Administrator

Registered: Jul 19, 2001

Last visit: Nov 15, 2024

Posts: 3446
Posted: Jul 10, 2019 - 03:14 PM

boogalooToughness is my primary concern, other issues like performance and parts availability are secondary (though also important). The Prindle 16 sounds like a natural choice, but I may run across deals on other less common boats. With this in mind is there anything I should avoid?

boogaloo, really all the recreational or "classic" beachcats were originally tough as nails, but low price 30 year old fiberglass boats will have various problems. Sometimes a $500 boat can be the most expensive thing you can buy!

DanBerger gave a nice outline of popular boats and their issues. But to give you specific advice or help find a boat we need to know

where you will be sailing,

your experience level, and

total crew weight expected on the boat.

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Damon Linkous
1992 Hobie 18
Memphis, TN

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kevinlbatchelor

Rank: Lubber

Registered: Sep 02, 2015

Last visit: Aug 15, 2019

Posts: 17
Posted: Jul 10, 2019 - 11:50 PM

I can't believe nobody mentioned the Getaway. Tough stable and fun, I sold mine but much prefer to a Hobie 16, which I owned before. Now I'm sailing a h21.
badfish

Rank: Mate

Registered: Jan 17, 2019

Last visit: Jan 13, 2020

Posts: 216
Posted: Jul 11, 2019 - 08:26 AM

DamonLinkousSometimes a $500 boat can be the most expensive thing you can buy![/list]

Very true. If one does chose to go down the "$500 boat" path, remember what you paid for it and see it for what it is. A beach toy that may have a limited life so enjoy it, patch what you must and sail it until it just cant be patched anymore. More than anything, understand that it should not be considered reliable, don't go sailing offshore or putting yourself in a position that when it does fail (notice the "when") you're not put in danger.

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Joshua

Texas Gulf Coast
'82 Prindle 16 (Badfish)
'02 Hobie Wave (Unnamed Project)
‘87 Hobie 18 (Sold)
‘89 Hobie 17 (ill-advised project boat, Sold)
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MN3

Rank: Master Chief

Registered: Jun 20, 2006

Last visit: May 22, 2024

Posts: 7089
Posted: Jul 11, 2019 - 08:43 AM

QuoteGetaway

It's not a 16' catamaran
gahamby

Rank: Mate

Registered: Feb 05, 2011

Last visit: Jun 15, 2021

Posts: 575
Posted: Jul 11, 2019 - 10:28 AM

Hobie quotes it at 17'

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'82 Super Cat 15
Hull #315
Virginia
Previously owned: '70 H14, '79 H16, '68 Sailmaster 26, '85 H14T
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badfish

Rank: Mate

Registered: Jan 17, 2019

Last visit: Jan 13, 2020

Posts: 216
Posted: Jul 11, 2019 - 11:38 AM

kevinlbatchelorI can't believe nobody mentioned the Getaway. Tough stable and fun, I sold mine but much prefer to a Hobie 16, which I owned before. Now I'm sailing a h21.

OP said they were looking for "cheap, older boat". Getaway's are still a solid 4-5+k around me. At that price point there are so many options.

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Joshua

Texas Gulf Coast
'82 Prindle 16 (Badfish)
'02 Hobie Wave (Unnamed Project)
‘87 Hobie 18 (Sold)
‘89 Hobie 17 (ill-advised project boat, Sold)
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traphappy

Rank: Mate

Registered: Jun 15, 2016

Last visit: Apr 14, 2022

Posts: 181
Posted: Jul 11, 2019 - 12:35 PM

Getaway!
MN3

Rank: Master Chief

Registered: Jun 20, 2006

Last visit: May 22, 2024

Posts: 7089
Posted: Jul 11, 2019 - 02:17 PM

traphappyGetaway!

lol
martyr

Rank: Mate

Registered: Jul 01, 2016

Last visit: Aug 30, 2023

Posts: 631
Posted: Jul 11, 2019 - 06:15 PM

I would go with the H16, huge used market, parts availability, built solid, easy to rig, not difficult to work on, and you can find really nice ones from say, $1500.00 to $3000.00 range in really top condition, or cheaper if you want a beater. The plus side also is the fact that they still make the things so.... keep on sailin’

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Marty
1984 Hobie 16 Redline Yellow Nationals, "Yellow Fever"
Opelika, Al / Lake Martin
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