Daysailer 16 Sailboats for Sale & Market Overview

Hull Type

Monohull · centerboard

Rig

Fractional Sloop

LOA

16' · 4.88 m

Disp.

400 lbs · 181 kg

First year

1981

Introduced in 1981, the Daysailer 16 represents an interesting departure from the traditional, heavier dayboating designs of its era. Designed by Skip Johnson and built by the historically renowned scowbuilders Johnson Boat Works of White Bear Lake, Minnesota, this 16foot monohull was conceived to inject highperformance sailing characteristics into an accessible, easily trailerable daysailing platform. While competing manufacturers of the era—such as O’Day with their venerable 16foot9inch Day Sailer—opted for heavier displacements, deeper interior seating, and more sedate cruising dynamics, the Johnsonbuilt Daysailer 16 leaned heavily into lightdisplacement physics and responsive, athletic performance. For sailors seeking a boat that bridged the gap between a casual afternoon cruiser and an agile racing dinghy, this model offered a compelling alternative to more conservative alternatives like the Catalina 16.5 or the Chrysler Mutineer.