Prindle 16 Buyer's Guide
The Prindle 16 is a 16-foot twin-daggerboard beach catamaran designed by Geoffrey Prindle and built by Performance Catamarans Inc. from 1971, with around nine thousand produced. For a shopper scanning brokerage listings, it represents an established small-cat design whose simplicity and numbers make it a common entry into performance multihull sailing.
Layouts on the Used Market
Every example follows the same essential plan: two narrow fiberglass foam-sandwich hulls joined by a between-hull span, a rotating fractional sloop rig, and retractable daggerboards. There is no cabin or enclosed space; the boat is a day sailor. The trampoline spanning the hulls is a commonly fitted item on the used market, serving as the crew platform and a defining visual of the type.
Equipment and Common Upgrades
Buyers should expect minimal fixed equipment. The trampoline is the one commonly fitted item of consequence, providing the working deck between hulls; its condition is central to both safety and value. Beyond that, the boat's systems are limited to the rotating mast, sails, and daggerboards, so most purchase decisions turn on rig and hull condition rather than installed gear.
What to Inspect
The fiberglass foam sandwich construction means high-load zones such as beam attachments and daggerboard trunks deserve close attention for delamination or foam crushing. The rotating spar and its bearings wear with use, and the daggerboard slots must be checked for impact damage. The lightweight sandwich also demands a close look for water intrusion at fittings.
Availability and Buyer's Takeaway
The Prindle 16 is typically found in the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. For a buyer, the checklist is short: confirm trampoline integrity, verify the rotating rig turns freely without play, inspect foam-sandwich hulls for soft spots, and test daggerboard operation. A sound example delivers a fast, low-maintenance day cat from a well-supported production run.
Price & volume trends
Monthly asking-price and listing-volume trends for the Prindle 16. The line shows the median ask each month; the bars show how many listings appeared.
Monthly breakdown · 4 rows
| Month | Listings | Median ask | Δ vs. last mo. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 26 | 2 | $1,627 | — |
| May 26 | 3 | $800 | -50.8% |
| Jul 26 | 1 | $800 | 0.0% |
| Aug 26 | 1 | $250 | -68.8% |
Where they're listed
Prindle 16 listings appear across 3 countries. United States has the most listings with 5 (71.4%), followed by Australia and New Zealand.
Country view
7 listings · 3 countries| Country | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $800 | 5 | 4 | 71.4% |
| Australia | $1,435 | 1 | 0 | 14.3% |
| New Zealand | $1,753 | 1 | 0 | 14.3% |
Comparable models
Similar length, displacement, and era. Open a row to compare that model's market page.
Similar boats to compare
2 similar designs| Model | LOA | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobie Cat 16 | 16.58' | $ 2,354 | 26 | 8 |
| Prindle 16You are here | — | $ 800 | 7 | 4 |