Happy Cat Hurricane Buyer's Guide
The Happy Cat Hurricane is a 16-foot inflatable sailing catamaran built by Grabner of Austria, with U.S. distribution through Red Beard Sailing. On the used market it appeals to sailors who want real catamaran performance without a trailer or a marina slip: the whole boat packs into three bags and sets up solo in about an hour. Because it has been in production since 2017, with roots in a 1960s design that Grabner acquired in 1986, used examples of the Happy Cat Hurricane share the same essential architecture, though rig and options vary.
Layouts on the Used Market
Every Hurricane uses wave-piercing inflatable hulls on an aluminum frame, with a usable foredeck and the space between hulls for gear or an extra crew member; the rated capacity is four. Two layouts dominate the conversation: the standard aluminum-rig boat and the upmarket carbon version with a 100 percent carbon mast and frame that saves 13 pounds and rights more easily after a capsize. Both fold into two long frame bags and a smaller hull satchel. Buyers should note that the boat is a daysailer — there is no cabin, and accommodations are entirely open.
Equipment and Common Upgrades
The base boat carries a square-topped fully battened main, furling jib, kick-up rudders, centerboard, and a 4:1 mainsheet with traveler. For buyer consequence, the most relevant upgrades are propulsion and sail range: a trolling motor up to 6 hp or a small outboard can be mounted to the frame, and optional light-wind and heavy-weather sails extend the usable envelope. Safety and comfort options worth checking for include the capsize protection float, trapeze, and swim ladder, while a sun canopy or tarpaulin and dry bags speak to how the prior owner used the boat.
What to Inspect
The rubber hull skin is the heart of the boat and the main thing to scrutinize; the material is rated for a 20-year service life and is repairable, so look for patches, UV fading, and any loss of the 21-inch tube diameter that would change buoyancy the fabric has a 20-year service life. Confirm the anodized aluminum frame’s square plug connections are not torqued or misshapen and that the sleeve inserts to hulls and trampoline seat cleanly. Check the stainless centerboard mount, shackles, and karabiners for corrosion, and verify the rotating mast’s ball-joint limiter still locks in heavier air.
Availability and Buyer's Takeaway
These boats turn up in the United States, Germany, and Switzerland. For a buyer, the short list is: verify hull integrity and tube diameter, confirm solo setup is intact, decide between aluminum and carbon rig, and match optional sails and safety gear to how you intend to sail.
- Inspect rubber hulls for repairs, UV damage, full 21-inch diameter
- Check frame square-plug joints and hull sleeve inserts for distortion
- Test centerboard, rudders, and mast rotation limiter
- Confirm included options: motor mount, sail range, capsize float, ladder
Price & volume trends
Monthly asking-price and listing-volume trends for the Happy Cat Hurricane. 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. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 26 | 1 | $12,921 | — |
| Jul 26 | 2 | $9,043 | -30.0% |
Where they're listed
Happy Cat Hurricane listings appear across 3 countries. Switzerland has the most listings with 1 (33.3%), followed by Germany and United States.
Country view
3 listings · 3 countries| Country | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Switzerland | $12,921 | 1 | 0 | 33.3% |
| Germany | $8,085 | 1 | 1 | 33.3% |
| United States | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 33.3% |