Design and Construction
The Trac-16 is built as a true catamaran, its two hulls molded in solid fiberglass with raked stems and plumb transoms. There are no keels or centerboards; instead, the hulls themselves are asymmetrical, carrying a pronounced "banana" shape that the designer used to give some resistance to leeway when sailing to windward. Twin transom-mounted rudders hung off the stern are worked by a single tiller, a layout that keeps steering authority close at hand in a boat only 16.4 feet long on the waterline of nearly 16 feet. At a displacement of 359 pounds and a beam of 8 feet, the platform is light and narrow for a beachable cat, and the 600-unit production run underscores how limited the class remains.
Rig and Handling
The sail plan is a fractional rigged sloop under a Bermuda rig, carrying about 194 square feet of area against that modest displacement for a sail-area-to-displacement ratio near 61. The absence of any keel or board means the boat relies entirely on its curved hull forms to hold a course upwind, a compromise that trades absolute pointing ability for the freedom to dry out or trailer with nothing to retract. With a maximum draft of just three-quarters of a foot, the Trac-16 sits lightly in the water, and the dual transom-hung rudders give the tiller direct command of both sterns. The catamaran hull form and 4.5 capsize ratio place it firmly in the small-dayboat category rather than the offshore cruiser class.
Accommodations
The Trac-16 was conceived as a day sailer, with no cabin, berths, or enclosed accommodation. Its purpose is single-day coastal or lake sailing with minimal gear, consistent with a 359-pound catamaran meant to be launched and retrieved without a hoist. The boat is a spartan recreational dinghy by definition.
Refits and Ownership
With only 600 examples built and production ended, the Trac-16 exists today as a used-only design. Ownership centers on trailering, rig inspection, and rudder-tiller function rather than systems upkeep. The fiberglass hulls and simple fractional rig keep ongoing cost low, but the small class size means parts and class knowledge are scarce compared with higher-volume dinghies.
The Verdict
The Trac-16 is a minimalist American catamaran dayboat whose charm lies in its utter simplicity: no keels, no engine, no cabin, just two fiberglass hulls, a fractional sloop, and a tiller driving twin rudders. Nichols' banana-shaped asymmetrical hulls are the only upwind aid, and the 600-boat run makes a tidy but uncommon trailer-sailer for the sailor who values light weight and easy launching over creature comfort.
Pros
- True catamaran platform with no keels to retract, drafting only 0.75 ft
- Light 359 lb displacement and 8 ft beam make for easy trailering
- Asymmetrical hull shape gives partial leeway resistance without boards
Cons
- No enclosed accommodation; day-sailer role only
- Small production run limits class support and spare-part access
- Upwind performance dependent solely on hull form, with no board or keel
