Design Brief & Intent
The core mission of the RS Cat 16 was to deliver high-performance sailing characteristics in a structural package tough enough to survive the brutal environment of sailing schools, resorts, and rocky shorelines. Unlike traditional fiberglass hulls that chip, craze, and suffer osmosis when left on beach dollies or dragged across gravel, the RS Cat 16 is constructed using Comptec PE3. This advanced three-layer rotomolded polyethylene process consists of a durable, UV-stabilized outer skin, a high-density middle foam layer for structural stiffness and built-in buoyancy, and a tough inner skin. This makes the hulls virtually indestructible and eliminates the maintenance overhead associated with gelcoat and fiberglass repair.
To address the typical flex and twist issues that plague rotomolded multihulls, the designers engineered a proprietary, structurally isolated beam-attachment system. Instead of drilling directly through the hull skin—which introduces structural weak points and potential leak paths—the extruded aluminum crossbeams and shroud bolts secure into heavy-duty stainless steel bars set into channels molded along the sides of the hulls. This creates an incredibly rigid framework that keeps the hulls aligned under high rigging loads while remaining fully modular.
On deck, the boat prioritizes ergonomic utility over cabin luxury. There is no traditional interior; instead, the focus is on a spacious, secure trampoline area and concave hull tops that serve as comfortable, contoured bench seating. Molded-in handholds make the boat easy to manhandle on land, while the lack of a boom means novices can navigate the cockpit without fear of head injuries during unexpected tacks.
Variations & Configurations
The RS Cat 16 was designed as a modular system that can be upgraded as a sailor’s skills progress, and is available in three distinct trim packages:
- The Club: Designed primarily for institutional fleet use and resort programs, this basic configuration features only a loose-footed, durable Dacron mainsail. It eliminates the jib to simplify controls for absolute beginners and single-handed sailors.
- The S: Aimed at families and intermediate sailors, the S version introduces a furling Dacron jib and a single trapeze line. This setup provides a more balanced sail plan and introduces crew members to the mechanics of trapezing.
- The XL: The highest-performance variant, the XL includes dual trapezes and a powerful asymmetric gennaker launched from a bowsprit sock. This configuration turns the stable beach cat into a high-speed skiff-like platform.
Regardless of the configuration, all variants utilize a one-piece, rotating, boomless Selden aluminum mast and a modern "lift and lock" rudder system 1. Rather than using complicated daggerboards, the hulls feature molded-in underbody skegs. This shoal-draft design means sailors can launch and beach the boat in shallow water without worrying about breaking expensive foils.
Sailing Performance & Handling
At the helm, the RS Cat 16 feels remarkably stiff and responsive for a rotomolded boat. With a dry sailing weight of 308 pounds and a massive sail area-to-displacement ratio of 46.16, the boat possesses an impressive power-to-weight profile. In light air, it glides effortlessly, but once the breeze climbs past twelve knots, it truly comes alive.
The defining performance characteristic of the hull shape is its "dreadnought" wave-piercing bows. On older beach cats, driving the boat hard downwind in a blow often resulted in the leeward bow digging into a wave, causing a violent pitchpole. The RS Cat 16's modern bow profile pierces waves cleanly, shedding water rapidly and generating dynamic lift that keeps the nose up. The twin aluminum rudders provide positive control and a light helm, allowing the skipper to carve through tacks with minimal loss of speed. Under the XL’s asymmetric gennaker, the boat accelerates rapidly on a reach, planing early and tracking with laser-like precision.
Market Snapshot & Economics
The RS Cat 16 commands a premium on the used market compared to older fiberglass catamarans. Its modern hull geometry, rotomolded durability, and modular construction make it highly sought after by yacht clubs, sailing camps, and families. Because the Comptec PE3 hulls do not suffer from fiberglass fatigue or osmotic blistering, the primary deprecation factors are purely superficial, such as minor scratches, faded trampolines, or worn sails.
Buyers looking at used models should evaluate the state of the standing rigging, the condition of the Dacron sails, and the wear on the trampoline stitching. Because the boat is fully modular and held together by eight main bolts, it is incredibly easy to disassemble and transport on a standard utility trailer or a specialized double-deck dinghy trailer, reducing storage and slip fees to zero 1.
Known Issues & Triage
While Comptec PE3 polyethylene is extraordinarily tough, it is not entirely immune to material physics, and owners must manage a few specific structural behaviors:
- Point Loading and Denting: Polyethylene can distort if subjected to continuous, concentrated pressure. Storing the boat long-term on single-roller trailers or resting it on sharp objects will cause the hulls to "dent" or warp. To prevent this, the boat must always be supported on proper, wide cradles, soft bunks, or suspended in wide webbing slings.
- Beam Bolt Seizure: Because the aluminum crossbeams are bolted directly to stainless steel backup bars inside the hull recesses, galvanic corrosion is a constant threat. Owners must periodically back out the eight structural bolts, clean the threads, and apply an anti-seize compound (such as Tef-Gel) to prevent the fasteners from seizing permanently in the backing bars.
- Moisture Trapping: While the hulls do not leak through structural penetrations, temperature swings can cause condensation to build up inside the sealed hulls. Owners should regularly unscrew the aft drain bungs when the boat is stored on land, keeping the bow raised to allow any trapped moisture to escape and prevent mildew or weight gain.
The Verdict
The RS Cat 16 is an exceptionally engineered, modern beach catamaran that successfully bridges the gap between worry-free rotomolded durability and genuine high-performance sailing. By abandoning fragile daggerboards in favor of molded skegs and utilizing a clever, rigid beam-to-hull mounting system, Jo Richards and RS Sailing created a boat that is as at home crashing through shore break as it is tearing across a flat-water bay with the gennaker flying. It is an ideal investment for families, sailing schools, and sailors who want maximum time on the water with minimal time spent on fiberglass maintenance.
Pros:
- Highly durable Comptec PE3 hull construction resists impacts, grounding, and minor collisions.
- Modern wave-piercing bows significantly reduce the risk of pitchpoling in heavy air 3.
- Modular design allows the boat to be disassembled with eight bolts for easy transport and compact off-season storage.
- Rigging options make the boat easily scalable from a simple beginner boat to an advanced double-trapeze gennaker racer.
- Molded skegs and a lift-and-lock rudder system make beaching and shallow-water launching stress-free.
Cons:
- Polyethylene hulls are susceptible to structural distortion (denting) if stored improperly under concentrated point loads.
- Heavier overall than comparable high-end composite racing catamarans.
- Lacks the pointing ability of a cat equipped with deep, high-aspect daggerboards.
- Steel-to-aluminum fasteners in the beam mounts require strict preventative maintenance to avoid galvanic corrosion and seizure.
