RS CAT16 :: Catamaran Sailboats at TheBeachcats.com

RS CAT16

flyhull

Rank: Lubber

Registered: Jun 13, 2012

Last visit: Nov 23, 2022

Posts: 29
Posted: Sep 20, 2014 - 09:32 PM

Has anybody seen one of these (RS CAT16 catamaran) actually sailing? Any opinions?
It looks similar to the Dart16, is there any connection?
windbikedude

Rank: Lubber

Registered: Sep 23, 2014

Last visit: Sep 23, 2014

Posts: 1
Posted: Sep 23, 2014 - 01:49 PM

Hi Flyhull - I took one for a test sail when I was over in the UK in March, met the RS guys behind the design - a great team. I'm new to CATs (and coming at it as a windsurfer who wants to introduce his children to some Pacific Ocean time) but the RS Cat 16 felt ridged and with some pace, and given the roto-moulded construction it felt light and nimble. The RS team are confident the CAT 16 is night & day compared to other roto moulded designs currently on the market, such as from Laser, Topper, Hobie. It's also a very nice looking boat - striking design.

This is a very good video to show the boat at work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOxKwLyp6CM
catmodding

Rank: Mate

Registered: Aug 11, 2010

Last visit: Mar 19, 2018

Posts: 424
Posted: Sep 24, 2014 - 12:53 PM

It doesn't look as a dart 16 at all in the bow-section. it does in the
rear-section.
Roto-moulded hulls are great for sailing schools and kids, in France
there's a great amount of Dart 16"s at the training centers, and, they
get abused!!

flyhullHas anybody seen one of these (RS CAT16 catamaran) actually sailing? Any opinions?
It looks similar to the Dart16, is there any connection?

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Tornado (80's Reg White)
Prindle 18-2 (sold)
Dart 16 (hired and hooked)
13 mtr steel cutter (sold)
Etap 22, unsinkable sailing pocket cruiser.

Amsterdam, the Netherlands
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Edchris177

Rank: Chief

Registered: Nov 26, 2009

Last visit: Apr 10, 2024

Posts: 2524
Posted: Sep 24, 2014 - 02:48 PM

QuoteThe RS team are confident the CAT 16 is night & day compared to other roto moulded designs currently on the market, such as from Laser, Topper, Hobie.

Only a marketing major could make such a statement. I had a hands on look at the Topper Topaz 16. I'm not sure what could be done to make any roto molded boat better than the Topper. It is stiff, lighter than a Hobie 16 or Nacra 5.0, comes with squaretop & spin setup, & sells brand new for 12K CDN.
Night & day compared to a Hobie Wave yes, but not the others mentioned.

Edited by Edchris177 on Sep 24, 2014 - 02:49 PM.

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Hobie 18 Magnum
Dart 15
Mystere 6.0XL Sold Was a handful solo
Nacra 5.7
Nacra 5.0
Bombardier Invitation (Now officially DEAD)
Various other Dock cluttering WaterCrap
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