A genuine piece of American manufacturing history, the Rebel 16 is a 16-foot fractional sloop dinghy with a claim few other boats can make: it is widely recognized as the first production fiberglass sailboat ever built in America.

The Rebel 16 was first built in 1948 when fiberglass was still an experimental material.  With this success over 4,200 Rebels were built to date, with many still in active use.  A 110 pound steel centerboard adds meaningful ballast low in the hull, contributing to the Rebel’s reputation for stability in a breeze.  The hull has full length seats that make cruising comfortable and a competitive structure that also make it attractive to racers.

The National Rebel Class Association is the governing one-design class for the Rebel sailboat. They say one-design as all Rebels adhere to certain specifications that make for fair competition and fellowship.