The more aggressively rigged of two Raider versions, the Sport trades the standard boat’s setup for a larger rig, a carbon spar, and all lines led aft. It displaces 200 pounds, carries 123 square feet of sail, and has a beam of 7 feet 4 inches.
Design and Construction
Johannsen Boat Works built the Raider 16 Sport in solid fiberglass. The builder specified a laminate schedule of bi-axial E-glass, with high-quality marine-grade resin and gel coat throughout in the same source.
The full transom is integral to the hull-and-deck unit, a construction choice the builder attributed to greater structural integrity and crew security. The same source listed high-quality stainless hardware and premium line as standard equipment.
A centerboard keel provides a minimum draft of half a foot and a maximum of 3 feet 4 inches. The cat rig and free-standing mast were described by the builder as user-friendly yet powerful. The light, beachable hull is intended for daysailing rather than cruising.
Rig and Handling
The Sport uses a cat rig and a free-standing mast, which the builder described as user-friendly yet powerful. Without standing rigging, and with the carbon spar and control lines led aft, the setup puts control at the helm.
The builder claimed strong windward performance in a breeze and exceptional performance off the wind. It also said the hull had proved extremely stable and could self-right from a full knockdown. These are manufacturer claims rather than independent test findings.
An asymmetrical spinnaker was optional on both Raider models, extending the boat’s light-air range without changing the rig’s core simplicity. Waters Sail Loft in Columbia, S.C., handled sail and rig development.
Cockpit and Amenities
This is a daysailer, not a cruiser, but the cockpit was designed to be spacious and comfortable. The builder noted that taking favorite crew along is no problem.
A built-in cooler and storage support days on the water. Oversized cockpit drain tubes were specified as very effective at clearing water. Together with the full transom, the arrangement creates a secure, open cockpit organized around short-handed sailing rather than belowdecks accommodation.
The Verdict
The Raider 16 Sport is a purpose-built, high-performance skiff that distills Drawe’s original concept into a light, beachable package. Its carbon-spar Sport rig, free-standing mast, and aft-led controls promise straightforward handling in a responsive daysailer. Solid-fiberglass construction and an integral full transom reflect a builder focused on structural honesty rather than cosmetic flourish.
Its self-righting ability and performance remain manufacturer claims, not independently verified test results. It’s also strictly a daysailer: there’s a cooler and storage, but no cabin.
Pros
- Larger rig and carbon spar, with all lines led aft for easy handling
- Free-standing rig described as user-friendly, with a powerful sail plan
- Builder-reported self-righting from a full knockdown, plus strong windward and offwind performance
- Integral full transom and oversized cockpit drains for crew security and quick clearing
Cons
- Daysailer accommodation only: built-in cooler and storage, but no cabin
- Performance and stability claims come from the manufacturer rather than independent testing
