OK,
The two boats are very different. The Hobie 16 is an older design, heavier, more sail area, less rudder.
The Prindle 16 was designed by a very small guy to sail with his small wife. Bigger bow, and less sail made the boat less prone to driving the bow under, but the bigger bow stayed under once there. Crossbars mounted to the hull made the boat stiffer.
The Hobie 16 should be faster in all but the really big blow. The Prindle 16 feels more sensitive because of the big rudders and light weight, but also feels under powered. The Hobie 16 sails out through the surf better and plastic rudders allow you to hit rocks without destroying your blades. Current optional rudders give you the stiffness you need for the boat to perform on the race course.
The Prindle is no longer made, but some parts are still around because the bigger Prindles used the same rudder castings, traveler, and other parts.
The weak area on the Prindle, rudder lock down, lack of any class racing for years now, no major replacement parts like hulls. By the way, there were two hull designs on the Prindle 16. The newer hull has hatches at the shrouds and a rounded lip on the inside of the bow to give more laminating area to strenghten the hull. The sailing shape should be the same though.
The Hobie 16 is still made, all parts are still in production with slight upgrades, and there is class racing and support. The only real drawback is the jib battens hanging up on the mast in light wind, but the benefit is a clear tramp and a longer lasting sail.
All the boats are fun, but I have owned and sailed both. I would pick the Hobie 16 over the Prindle 16 without delay.
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