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| Category | Runabout |
| Length | 16ft 10in / 4.88 m |
| Beam | 5ft 3in |
| Fuel Capacity | 12 gals |
| Weight | 850 lbs |
| Dealers | Contact Tuff Boats Dealers |
| Buyers Guides | Search For Tuff Boats Buyers Guides |
| Boats For Sale | Search For Tuff Boats For Sale |
When MarkWeigl builds a new boat, you know its going to be fast, stylish top-quality. But, as the Tuff 16 indicates, it doesnt have to be big.
A former offshore racing champ,Weigl began building boats about five years ago. First out of the shop was a 21-footer. A 28 powered by either a big single sterndrive or a pair of outboards followed. Both are sleek, low-profile V-bottoms capable of turning triple-digit speeds with the right power on the transom.
The Tuff 21 and Tuff 28 are built for high performance, but also capable of serving up better-than-average speeds and easy handling with moderate stock power.
Weigls goal with the Tuff 16 was to build a small sibling to the bigger Tuff Marine boats one that would be sporty yet safe when powered by a 40-hp outboard. This meant 12- to 16- year-olds, limited by licensing restrictions, would have a ride of their own that could grow along with them.
With 90hp on the transom, the boat is a bundle of fun for kids of all ages. Its ideal for small-boat lovers who want to be close to the water, but still stay dry.
The hull is moulded of vacuum-bagged fibreglass with a cored bottom and deck. The test boat has a yellow hull with contrasting blue windscreen and an optional blue and yellow fibreglass cockpit tonneau that covers the rear bench seat.
The bottom is a standard V-hull with a running pad aft. The engine, however, is hung in an inset in the transom that has the effect of extending the hull. The extensions act like trim tabs to help lift the boat onto plane and add stability at speed.
At 341 pounds, Suzukis new four-stroke F90 is ideal for the job of powering the Tuff 16.
The boat is on plane quickly and hits 40 mph in under 10 seconds. It cruises along nicely at 32.8 mph at 4000 rpm or 37.6 mph at 4500 rpm.When I put the Hot Foot throttle down, it hit 57.8 mph (on GPS) at the engines 6300 rpm limit.Weigl reports 61.5 mph with a 30-inch chopper-style prop.
Even at those speeds plenty fast in an open 16-footer the boat runs solidly, turns confidently and is easy to handle. The only trouble teens will have is keeping adults out of the boat.
TEST BOAT ENGINE
Suzuki DF90, 91.7 ci / 1.5 L , inline four-cylinder four-stroke gasoline outboard producing 90 hp, driving a 26-inch stainless-steel Laser prop.
ACCELERATION (mph/sec)
0-30 / 7.8 ; 0-40 / 9.84
TOP SPEED (rpm/mph)
6300 / 57.8
CRUISING SPEED (rpm/mph)
4000 / 32.8 ; 4500 / 37.6 ; 5000 / 44
SOUND LEVEL AT CRUISE (4000 rpm)
Helm 85 dbA ; Aft cockpit 87 dbA
SOUND LEVEL AT TOP SPEED (6300 rpm)
Helm 89 dbA ; Aft cockpit 90 dbA
