Catalina Capri 16.5 Buyer's Guide
Shopping for a used Catalina 16.5 means looking at a small American recreational sailing dinghy that Catalina Yachts has built since 1994, offered with either a centerboard or a fixed fin keel. These are light, trailerable boats with no ballast and a fractional sloop rig, suited to day sailing rather than overnighting.
Layouts on the Used Market
The 16.5 is an open dinghy layout: it can accommodate up to four adults in the cockpit, with no enclosed cabin. Buyers will find the self-bailing cockpit and built-in flotation as standard safety features, and a transom-hung rudder that is fully visible from astern. The centerboard model gives a half-foot raised draft for easy ramp launching; the fixed fin version is simpler but draws over four feet.
Equipment and Common Upgrades
From the factory the boat carries hiking straps, a roller furling jib, an anodized mast and boom, self-bailing cockpit, and built-in flotation. A small outboard motor can be fitted for docking. On the used market these are the consequential items: confirm the anodized spars are not pitted, the roller furling works smoothly, and any fitted outboard is a small auxiliary rather than a large motor stressing the transom.
What to Inspect
Because the boat is built predominantly of solid fiberglass with no ballast, the main checks are for ordinary degradation rather than documented design defects. Examine the transom-hung rudder mounting for cracked fiberglass or loose pintles, since the rudder is fully exposed and load-bearing. On centerboard boats, inspect the centerboard trunk and pivot for water intrusion or binding. Verify the self-bailing cockpit drains are clear and the built-in flotation is intact, as these are safety items with real consequence if defeated by modification.
Availability and Buyer's Takeaway
These boats are typically found in the United States. A short checklist for viewing:
- Confirm hull and deck are solid fiberglass with no soft spots
- Check transom rudder pintles and gudgeons for play
- Inspect centerboard trunk if fitted
- Test self-bailing drains and flotation integrity
- Verify anodized mast and boom condition
Price & volume trends
Monthly asking-price and listing-volume trends for the Catalina Capri 16.5. The line shows the median ask each month; the bars show how many listings appeared.
Monthly breakdown · 2 rows
| Month | Listings | Median ask | Δ vs. last mo. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 25 | 1 | $2,500 | — |
| May 26 | 1 | $3,250 | +30.0% |
Where they're listed
Catalina Capri 16.5 listings appear across 1 country. United States has the most listings with 1.
Country view
1 listings · 1 country| Country | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $3,250 | 1 | 0 | 100.0% |