Home/ Boats/ Luders Marine Construction/ Luders 16
Sailboat Specifications

Luders 16

Fractional Sloop · Fin Keel

Designed by A. E. Luders · Built by Luders Marine Construction · First built 1933

+ Add to Compare
LOA 26.33 ft  ·  Beam 5.75 ft  ·  Displacement 2,950.00 lb  ·  Sail Area 224.00 ft²  ·  Fractional Sloop  ·  Fin Keel
About the Luders 16 Sailboat

Designed by the renowned naval architect A.E. Luders Jr., this 16-foot sailboat represents classic American small boat design from the mid-20th century. The Luders name carries significant weight in sailing circles, with the designer creating everything from Olympic-class racers to elegant cruising yachts throughout his distinguished career. While detailed specifications remain scarce, the Luders 16 likely embodies the designer's characteristic attention to proportion and seaworthiness that made his larger designs so respected. Small boats bearing the Luders pedigree typically feature clean lines, balanced helm characteristics, and construction quality that exceeds their modest size class. This compact sailboat would be well-suited for protected waters, sailing instruction, and recreational day sailing. The 16-foot length makes it manageable for single-handed sailing while still providing enough cockpit space for a small crew. Given Luders' reputation for creating boats with excellent sailing qualities, owners can expect responsive handling and predictable behavior in various wind conditions. For sailors seeking a small boat with proven lineage and classic styling, the Luders 16 offers an opportunity to experience the design philosophy that influenced generations of American sailboat development.

Dimensions & Specifications
LOA (Length Overall) 26.33 ft / 8.03 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 16.33 ft / 4.98 m
Beam 5.75 ft / 1.75 m
Max Draft 4.00 ft / 1.22 m
Displacement 2,950.00 lb / 1,338 kg
Ballast 1,600.00 lb / 726 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 224.00 ft² / 20.81 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin Keel
Rigging Type Fractional Sloop
Construction molded plywood or FG
Designer A. E. Luders
Builder Luders Marine Construction
First Built 1933
Last Built 1979
Owner Reviews

No owner reviews yet — be the first to share your experience with this boat.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Luders 16's sail area to displacement ratio?

The Luders 16 has a Sail Area to Displacement ratio (SA/D) of 17.47. Values between 14–18 are typical cruising sailboats; 18–22 is cruiser/racer; over 22 is performance racing.

What is the Luders 16's comfort ratio?

The Luders 16 has a Ted Brewer Comfort Ratio of 22.93. A ratio over 30 indicates good offshore comfort; over 40 is very comfortable offshore.

Is the Luders 16 safe for offshore sailing?

The Luders 16 has a Capsize Screening Formula value of 1.61. Values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing; under 1.8 is ideal.

What is the hull speed of the Luders 16?

The theoretical hull speed of the Luders 16 is 5.41 knots, calculated from its waterline length.

How much does a Luders 16 weigh?

The Luders 16 has a displacement of 2,950.00 lb and a length overall (LOA) of 26.33 ft.

Who designed the Luders 16?

The Luders 16 was designed by A. E. Luders, first built in 1933.