CATALINA 16.5
Specifications
Hull
| LOA | 16.33 ft |
| LWL | 15.67 ft |
| Beam | 7 ft |
| Draft | 4.42 ft/ 0.42 ft min |
| Displacement | 430 lb |
| Ballast | 249.1 lb |
| Material | 16’ 4”4.98 m |
| Hull speed1.34·√LWL | 5.3 kn |
Accommodation
| CE category | N/A€ |
About the CATALINA 16.5
First introduced as CAPRI 16.5. (See CAPRI 16.5 for more details.) A fin keel version was introduced a year later. Photo courtesy Adam Hunt.
The Catalina 16.5 is a compact trailerable sloop designed by an unknown designer and built by Catalina Yachts (USA) in 1994. With a production run limited to that single year and an unknown total build count, it represents a specific snapshot in the brand's history of small, accessible sailboats.
- Best for:
- This boat is best suited for novice sailors, trailerable coastal cruising, and lake sailing where its lightweight 430.0 lb displacement and 16.33 ft LOA allow for easy transport and handling.
- Bluewater capability:
- With a low displacement of 430.0 lb and a capsize ratio of 3.71, this boat is strictly a coastal daysailer and is not suitable for offshore or bluewater passage making.
- Comparables:
- Comparable boats include the Catalina 16 and other late-1990s trailerable daysailers like the O'Day 16, as they share similar fractional sloop rigs and target the same entry-level market.
Performance
Estimated Value
Low ConfidenceAsking price by model year
10 listings · boat years 2000–2026 · median $10,500
Each dot is one listing · hover for details · dashed red line marks the median · obvious data-entry outliers (top & bottom 2.5%) excluded.
Estimated Cost of Ownership
Based on 16.33ft LOA. Actual costs vary by condition, usage, and local rates.
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Known Issues & Pre-Purchase Inspection
6 reported issues across 5 systems for the CATALINA 16.5, compiled from owner reports in sailing forums and owner-association material.
Unlock the full inspection report
Thinking of buying a CATALINA 16.5? This is an in-depth report on the faults this model is known for — so you know exactly what to check when you walk the boat. For the price of a coffee.
- ✓ All 6 specific issues — severity, symptoms & fixes
- ✓ Model-specific pre-purchase inspection checklist
- ✓ Downloadable PDF to take to your surveyor — yours to keep
One-time $2.99 · secure checkout by Stripe · instant access · 30 days online, PDF yours to keep
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Used sails that fit the CATALINA 16.5
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