{"id":16582,"date":"2026-06-29T16:36:20","date_gmt":"2026-06-29T14:36:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rollytasker.com\/?p=16582"},"modified":"2026-07-01T13:46:51","modified_gmt":"2026-07-01T11:46:51","slug":"hobie-16-iconic-beach-catamaran","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rollytasker.com\/en\/sails-by-boat-brand\/hobie-16-iconic-beach-catamaran\/","title":{"rendered":"The Hobie 16: The World\u2019s Most Iconic Beach Cat"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Introducing the Hobie 16<\/strong><\/h2>\nThe Hobie 16<\/strong> is a legendary beach and racing catamaran<\/strong> that was developed as a larger version of the Hobie 14<\/strong>. Both were designed by Californian surfing pro Hobart \u201cHobie\u201d Alter<\/strong>, the Hobie 14 in 1968 and the Hobie 16 in 1971. The aim was to create a fast, exciting yet simple to set up<\/strong> fun catamaran but larger and more powerful than the 14.\n\n
\"hobie<\/a>
Hobie Beach in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, via Wikimedia Commons<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

What is Special About this Cat?<\/h2>\nThe Hobie 14 and 16<\/strong> stand out for their unique asymmetrical hulls<\/strong> that eliminate the need for daggerboards<\/strong>. In conjunction with the kick-up rudder system<\/strong>, this enables these boats to be sailed off and back onto the beach, even through heavy surf<\/strong>. Also special is the concept of an uncomplicated boat<\/strong> that is quick and easy to rig<\/strong>, while still offering sophisticated sail trim options<\/strong> and exciting performance<\/strong> for the advanced racing sailor.\n\n
\"Hobie<\/a>
Hobie cat sailboats on Smathers Beach, Key West, Florida, via Wikimedia Commons<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

How does it sail?<\/h2>\nIn a word, beautifully<\/strong>. Quick and responsive, with the option of having both crew hiking out on trapezes<\/strong>, these cats are pure joy for the sportive sailor. The Hobie 16<\/strong> excels in breezy and wavy conditions<\/strong>, where it can reach exhilarating speeds above 20 knots<\/strong>.\n\n
\"Hobie<\/a>
You can sail a Hobie 16 single-handed. Top speed: above 20 knots<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Beach Fun Cat and Serious International Racing<\/h2>\nThis is an unlikely combination that works extremely well in this case. Hobie 16 catamarans<\/strong> can be seen the world over in beach clubs<\/strong> or hotel resorts<\/strong> as water toys to be enjoyed by the guests. At the same time, there is a very active and highly competitive global racing scene<\/strong> with huge fleets gathering for regional, national or international regattas and championships<\/strong>. The Hobie 16 is an international one-design class<\/strong> recognized by ISAF<\/strong>, the world sailing federation.\n\n
\"Hobie16<\/a>
Hobie16 sailing at Gooseberry Beach, Rhode Island, via Wikimedia Commons<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Impressive Numbers<\/h2>\nOver 135,000<\/strong> Hobie 16s have been built as of 2025. Already it is recognised as the most popular catamaran ever produced<\/strong>. The Hobie 16 is sailed in over 60 countries<\/strong>, with active fleets and racing circuits on every continent<\/strong>. Inducted into the Sailing Hall of Fame in 2013<\/strong>, the Hobie 16 continues to be a benchmark for beach catamarans<\/strong>.\n

Rig and Sails<\/a> (And Some Tips on Sailing and Trimming)<\/h2>\nThe Hobie 16 rig<\/strong> is both simple and powerful<\/strong>. Jib and main<\/a> are fully battened<\/strong> with a sail area of 16.7 m\u00b2 (180 ft\u00b2)<\/strong> plus a substantial Gennaker of 20 m\u00b2 (215 ft\u00b2)<\/strong>. There is no permanent forestay<\/strong>, this being replaced by the jib. Mast rake<\/strong> and mainsail leech tension<\/strong> are crucial factors in trimming the rig and these are controlled by the jib halyard tension<\/strong>. If the power in the rig becomes too much drop jib halyard by just a few inches. Also, more mast rake basically enables better pointing upwind<\/strong>. Finding the balance of mast rake<\/strong> and mainsail leech and luff tension<\/strong> is the key to fast Hobie 16 sailing<\/strong><\/a>!\n\n
\"Hobie<\/a>
Hobie Cat with gennaker, via Wikimedia Commons<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\nAnother deciding factor is playing the mainsheet<\/strong> right. Upwind in breezy conditions, the mainsheet is typically pulled in tight block to block<\/strong>. In light winds the sheet is loose, if pulled in too tight the boat will stop. Care must be taken not to oversheet in light airs<\/strong>, but in gusts or breeze it should be block to block<\/strong>. The tell-tales<\/strong> in both sails<\/a> will show if the flow is right or not.\n\n\"hobie<\/a>\n

Why We Are Involved<\/h2>\nRolly Tasker Sails<\/strong> are renown the world over as suppliers of dependable and performing offshore cruising sails<\/strong><\/a> which remains our core business. However, our origins go back to international and Olympic one-design dinghy racing<\/a><\/strong> with our founder, Australian yachtsman Rolly Tasker<\/strong>, being the first to win a silver medal in Olympic sailing for Australia<\/strong>. Today, we have family and friends racing in various one-design classes<\/strong>. Our Production Manager in Phuket, Mikael<\/strong>, is a keen Hobie 16 enthusiast<\/strong>!\n\n
\"New<\/a>
New Hobie 16 sails in the Rolly Tasker sailloft<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Rolly Tasker Sails for the Hobie 16<\/h2>\nThe Hobie 16 class rules<\/strong> specify only original Hobie sails<\/strong> to be used in championship level racing<\/strong>. But with Mikael sailing a Hobie 16 himself, we are keen to develop our own ideas of the best Hobie 16 sails<\/strong>, which we call training sails<\/strong>.\n\nFind out all about our Hobie 16 sails<\/strong> here!<\/a>\n\nAnd have a look at this short video:\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
<\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Sources of images that are not ours:<\/strong><\/p>