[1][2] The boat is built by Catalina Yachts in the United States, and remained in production in 2017.

[1] The Catalina 16.5 is a small recreational sailing dinghy, built predominantly of fiberglass.

It has a fractional sloop rig, a transom-hung rudder and a centerboard or fixed fin keel.

[3] The boat comes equipped from the factory with hiking straps, roller furling jib, built-in flotation, a self-bailing cockpit and an anodized mast and boom.

[3] The boat can be fitted with a small outboard motor for docking and maneuvering.