– Feels much larger than it is
– Freedom to move below deck
The best trailer sailor for your adventures will depend on many factors. Like any boat, whatever you decide on will be a compromise – boats always are. But there are plenty of choices out there, no matter what size your tow vehicle is and no matter what sailing adventures you have in mind.
Even large yachts are routinely transported by towing across land, so the question is more of how big a sailboat can you tow? Your tow vehicle will be the limiting factor. The upper limit for most large SUVs and trucks is usually a sailboat around 26 feet long.
Sailboats are generally very heavily built, with ballast and lead keels. Sailboats specifically made to be trailer sailers are lighter. They may use drainable water ballast tanks instead of fixed ballast and have fewer fixtures and amenities.
To find the best trailer sailer, you need to balance the total tow weight, the ease of rig setup at the boat ramp, and the boat’s draft. Shallow draft boats with centerboards are the easiest to launch and retrieve.
No. The Hunter 27 is a one of those fixed-keel larger boats built from 1974 to 1984. The boat’s displacement is 7,000 pounds, not including trailer and gear. That alone makes it too heavy to tow by all but the beefiest diesel trucks.
Furthermore, the fixed keels had drafts between 3.25 and 5 feet, all of which are too much for most boat ramps. In short, the standard Hunter Marine 27 is too big to tow for most people.
On the other hand, Hunter has made several good trailer sailers over the years. For example, the Hunter 240 and 260 were explicitly designed for trailering. They have drainable water ballast and shallow keel/centerboard drafts less than two feet.
Yes, the Catalina 22 is easily trailerable and makes a wonderful weekend sailboat. In fact, there were over 15,000 Catalina 22s made and sold over the years.
The boat’s displacement is 2,250 pounds, which means your total tow weight with trailer and gear will be under 3,000 pounds. This is within the capabilities of most mid to full-size SUVs and light trucks. Be sure to check your vehicle’s towing capacity, of course.
The centerboard on the Catalina 22 is another factor in its easy towing. With the board up, the boat draws only two feet. This makes it easy to float off the trailer at nearly any boat ramp. You should avoid fixed keel versions of the 22 for towing unless you have access to extra deep ramps.
Matt has been boating around Florida for over 25 years in everything from small powerboats to large cruising catamarans. He currently lives aboard a 38-foot Cabo Rico sailboat with his wife Lucy and adventure dog Chelsea. Together, they cruise between winters in The Bahamas and summers in the Chesapeake Bay.
Can someone tell me why no other manufacturer makes pop tops? Those who have them, love them. Makes sense for head space with a trailerable boat too. Catalina stopped making them decades ago, yet people still swear by them. So, why isn’t there any newer models?
MacGregor put pop tops on many of its trailerables
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Experience your grand adventure in the Regal 26 Express, a vessel that embodies superior comfort and function from top to bottom. With the seemingly-unlimited versatility of the cockpit seating and a generous salon—complete with an entertainment center and full-sized aft berth—this bold cruiser has it all.
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26 express specifications.
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Cockpit features.
Standard blue LED cockpit lights not only provide ambient light to ensure you and your guests can safely maneuver around the boat but also make a statement at the dock.
The foredeck steps are very wide and integrated into the door. Upgraded with Harken bearings, the steps can easily handle the added stress.
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Diamond MarineTred is incorporated into the mold for a superior finish. It's less abrasive and easier to clean.
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Regals feature upgraded 316-grade stainless hardware.
Regal's stainless rub rail not only looks good but also offers added protection.
The stainless bow scuff plate protects the gelcoat from trailer chocks and provides for a lifting eye.
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Tinted, tempered and curved windshield.
When you buy a Regal, you know you are buying an un-compromised product. Regals feature a stylish one-piece windshield.
Spacious mid-cabin, cabin features.
The Fusion radio has full integration for your smart phone via Bluetooth and has AM/FM radio capabilities.
Two 200 watt Fusion speakers make the cabin sound like a home theater.
The large hull side picture windows let in an abundance of natural light, making your salon feel like home.
Hand-crafted cabinetry.
The hand-crafted cabinetry looks stunning as you enter the cabin.
A 4.2 cubic foot refrigerator will store more than enough for your next boating adventure.
Toilet paper holder.
Regals feature designated storage for all of your amenities.
Automatic bilge pump.
The automatic bilge pump takes action before you even realize what is wrong.
This transversal propulsion device tremendously increases maneuverability; docking becomes a breeze.
Regal features a smart battery management system by using one battery for starting and the other for all your electronics. Of course, they are both equally charged via a VSR and can be combined for emergency situations.
Keep a clean bilge with all your wash down and rain water draining directly overboard.
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There is nothing like fingertip control created by the power steering.
A pressurized water system is standard, complete with sinks, water pump, tank, and a filter.
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Sadler 26: the little boat with big attitude
Is the Sadler 26 the ultimate small yacht or just an overgrown dinghy? Rachael Sprot steps aboard to find out
Most of the Sadler 26s built had twin keels, although deep and shallow fins were also available. Credit: Richard Langdon/Ocean Images Credit: Richard Langdon
Manufacturer:.
I’ve always been a fan of small yachts. They’re exponentially cheaper to buy and maintain, the loads are lower, making them safer for new crew, and the shove ‘n’ go boat handling saves a lot of hassle in marinas .
But even by pocket-cruiser standards, 26ft is tiny. And although extraordinary voyages are made on tiny boats, I’ve always thought you’d need an MBA (Masters in Bunk Arrangement) to cope in such confined quarters.
Would the Sadler 26 change my mind?
I joined John Dickson on his Sadler 26, Ella , to find out. John sails Ella on the south coast and English Channel with his wife, Nao, and children, Ollie, 13, and Georgina, 10.
The cockpit is deep and comfortable, with coaming lockers on each side and good leg bracing. Credit: Richard Langdon
He seizes every chance to head out, sometimes just with cockerpoo, Maggie, for company. The first thing I noticed when I stepped aboard Ella in the river Hamble, was that she didn’t baulk at my weight, as I was expecting.
She may only be 26ft long, but with over 9ft of beam there’s plenty of form stability. The real secret behind her feeling of buoyancy, however, is that her double-skinned hull is filled with foam.
John Dickson sails his Sadler 26, Ella with his wife, Nao, and children Ollie and Georgina. A professional jazz musician, John also sails Ella solo from the river Hamble on the UK’s south coast. Credit: Richard Langdon
Scarred by the terrible loss of life of the 1979 Fastnet Race when several yachts sank, Martin Sadler, David Sadler’s son, designed the 26 and 29 to withstand significant water ingress.
Although their unsinkability was never officially established, in one test the 26 was sailed through overfalls under full sail in a Force 5 with the seacocks open and half full of water, which sounds pretty conclusive to me.
Like all successful species, the Sadler 26 is the product of evolution. Deep in her ancestry you’ll find the Folkboat, but you’ll have to go via the Sadler 25 and Sadler-designed Contessa 26 to find it.
There’s still a hint of her Nordic origins in the high bow and swoosh of sheer, although the full stern looks somewhat truncated. The underwater profile is sea-kindly and a transom-hung rudder has a full-depth skeg providing protection and directional stability.
The helm is light and responsive, and the cockpit is well set up for singlehanded sailing. Credit: Richard Langdon
There were several keel options. Most were built with twin keels , but there are also deep and shallow-fin keels and lifting keels. The twin keels are relatively fine and deep in order to preserve sailing performance to windward.
Aloft, there’s a masthead rig with large overlapping genoa and respectable ballast ratio of 41%.
The construction technique is quite different to modern balsa or foam-cored hulls. The outer skin is full strength and the inner skin is a moulded lining.
The 9ft 4in beam gives the Sadler 26 a wide deck, with enough room to stand by the shrouds. Credit: Richard Langdon
Apparently the foam wasn’t originally considered essential for strength but it does play an important role in this regard, providing extra stiffness.
The strategically placed pockets of polyurethane foam don’t just provide buoyancy, they also insulate the hull, reducing condensation and noise.
Around fittings such as keel bolts there’s no foam: the two skins meet to form a solid layer of GRP .
The major downside of this construction method is that it could be expensive and complicated to repair if water seeps into the foam, which may become increasingly likely as these boats age.
A pre-purchase survey will be important to identify any problems.
On deck, the coachroof remains in proportion to the rest of the yacht, the curved top softening the outline.
Two pairs of rounded portlights, one small and one large, are easy on the eye.
A teak handrail accentuates her lines and breaks up the otherwise large expanse of gelcoat. The teak rubbing strake is another attractive detail which also covers the hull-to-deck join, which is bolted and glued together.
The Sadler 26 came with a masthead rig, supported by a forestay, backstay and in-line caps and lowers. The foretriangle is larger than the mainsail. Credit: Richard Langdon
The moulded toerail gives a secure foothold, but the scarcity of scuppers means that water collects on the sidedecks, especially if you’ve slightly altered the trim by adding too much weight in the bow or stern, which is easy to do on a small boat.
The stanchions drop into sockets in the toerail, which seems like a neat solution, but means that if you have any abrupt encounters with the dock you not only bend a stanchion, but might damage the deck-moulding too.
Some boats, including Ella , have fitted bolt-on stanchion bases instead. The sidedecks are wider than you might expect thanks to her beam, with room to stand by the shrouds when coming alongside.
The anchor well is sealed off from the vee-berth. Credit: Richard Langdon
There’s a proper anchor well to keep muddy chain sealed off from the vee-berth. Look closely enough at the cockpit though, and you start to have a sense of where Sadler’s priorities lie. It may look unremarkable, but it’s an excellent working area when sailing, both comfortable and functional.
The square shape of the cut-off transom is a compromise worth making, allowing room for three adults or a few more little people. The benches are the perfect width to brace across when heeling, even for those of us with short legs.
It’s still small enough to reach all the controls when singlehanded though, with halyards and reefing lines led back along the coachroof.
Bolt-on stanchion bases replace the original moulded ones in the toerail. Credit: Richard Langdon
The transom-hung rudder positions the tiller well aft, so that it doesn’t dominate the space.
Standing with the tiller in hand, there’s a clear line of vision forwards even with the sprayhood up. The deep coamings make a comfortable backrest.
The recessed storage cubbies are a useful feature often missing on larger yachts.
When beating to windward, the coachroof gives shelter from a full bombardment of green water.
The only drawback is that the traveller position is directly in front of the companionway hatch. Owing to the small mainsail though, it’s relatively easy to manage.
The starboard-side cockpit locker swallows up gear and houses a stainless-steel fuel tank. Ella had a large removable panel to give better access to the back of the engine , gearbox and stern gland, which is a very practical modification.
A 90-litre flexible water tank lives under the cockpit sole, making good use of otherwise redundant space. Slide back the companionway hatch and you reveal a bright, compact interior.
Immediately to starboard of the companionway is the galley with a small sink, coolbox and boat cooker . The previous owner had dispensed with the full-sized oven and put extra stowage beneath the hob.
Mounting navigation equipment by the companionway makes it easier for John to sail singlehanded. Credit: Richard Langdon
Locker space is minimal here, but if you’re not too ambitious about what you cook, the space is perfectly adequate. The top of the engine box provides additional work surface for food prep.
A spacious quarterberth runs under the port side of the cockpit and a cleverly designed nav table pulls out above it on older models.
John has mounted navigation equipment here which made it easy to reach from the cockpit, a useful feature when singlehanded sailing .
The hanging locker is useful for storing lifejackets and foulies. Credit: Richard Langdon
In a neat metamorphosis, the saloon table drops down to create a double bunk. The starboard-side bench is too short to be a full-sized bunk, unless you push through into the hanging locker forwards as some owners have done.
Beyond the main bulkhead is the heads compartment with wet locker opposite.
The vee-berth gains a feeling of additional space from the raised coachroof and large foredeck hatch above. It’s not a plush interior, but the inner mouldings have aged well and provide plenty of storage beneath.
The transom-hung rudder is supported on a full-length skeg and gives the Sadler 26 good manoeuvrability. Credit: Richard Langdon
The foam insulates each stowage compartment, meaning that items stored under bunks suffer less condensation and mildew.
The major drawback of the interior is headroom. John is 5ft 6in and can stand up in the cabin, but if you’re much taller you’ll be spending most of your time stooped over – many people would find the maximum headroom of 5ft 10in restrictive.
Without totally destroying the proportions, it would be hard to achieve more headroom on a boat of this size and for those with longer legs, the similarly constructed Sadler 29 is worth considering.
The original engines were 10hp Bukhs and then 9hp Volvo Pentas. Ella had a more recent 20hp Beta Marine.
It’s a tight fit in the engine compartment, but the enlarged access panel in the cockpit locker allows most jobs to be conducted in situ. It gave an impressive 6 knots through the water at 2,000 RPM.
‘I’m really glad of the extra power,’ said John. ‘When the kids have had enough and you’re fighting the tide and you just want to get home, she can do it.’
The 5ft 10in max headroom in the saloon can feel restrictive. Credit: Richard Langdon/Ocean Images
She was pretty nifty when it came to tight turns in the river Hamble, employing all the leverage of her transom-hung rudder. Although Sadler is renowned for producing yachts that sail well, I confess I was a little dubious about the 26.
There’s a lot of yacht crammed into 26 feet and with the twin keels too, I wondered what had been sacrificed in the quest for interior volume and a moderate draught.
But after hoisting the main and unfurling the 140% genoa on Southampton Water, she set off impressively.
There’s a good view from the cockpit when helming, even with the sprayhood up. Credit: Richard Langdon
Despite only having 7-8 knots of true wind, she made 4 knots with ease and the helm was feather-light.
In fact, she was so well balanced that we gave up helming entirely and just tweaked the sails to adjust the course.
She made 35°AWA when the wind held, slipping off to 40°AWA when it decreased.
It was a slack tide and the chartplotter showed crisp, right-angled tacks. She was a pleasure to sail.
Tacking a boat with a big foretriangle is harder work than modern, fractional rigs, but she’s small enough that most of the genoa sheet can be pulled in by hand.
Downwind there wasn’t enough breeze to put her through her paces, but she ghosted along at 3 knots in only 5-6 knots of wind. It’s a fairly modest sail area, but she still felt responsive and moved with a sense of purpose.
For singlehanders and families alike, you don’t want too much power anyway.
Interior mouldings have aged well, including in the galley, where the engine box provides an extra food preparing area. Credit: Richard Langdon
Underpinning all of that, there’s a feeling of seaworthiness and the design is well-proven. Sadler 25s and 26s have been used successfully in short-handed events such as the AZAB and OSTAR .
One of the pleasures of small boat sailing is that you’re more likely to sail the boat to its full potential. It’s much less arduous to play with the control lines so you can experiment with twist and car position without breaking into a sweat. But the boat needs to be responsive to sail in the first place.
On the Sadler 26, performance has been preserved to the right level: she’ll reward an ambitious sailor and take care of a novice.
In the summer, John and the family use the boat for hybrid sailing holidays. He’ll deliver her to the West Country or Channel Islands alone or with friends, and then they’ll join him for a week of cruising, perhaps taking a holiday cottage for a few days to give themselves a bit more space.
Continues below…
Former builder Pat Boon has been fascinated by boats since childhood. He welcomes Bob Aylott aboard his 26ft Westerly Griffon,…
Nic Compton looks at the 25 yachts under 40ft which have had the biggest impact on UK sailing
Duncan Kent examines the enduring appeal of the Sadler Starlight 35 and discovers a yacht that is a delight to…
When she was launched in 2003, the Sadler 290 was probably the roomiest and most powerful 29ft twin-keeler ever built…
As the children grow up they might consider upsizing, but John is pragmatic about the fact that they may not share his passion for sailing. If not, he’ll continue to enjoy the solitude of solo sailing without the stress of handling a larger yacht.
The compression of space on a small yacht means that every centimetre matters and each element of the design has to be carefully weighed.
I was impressed by how little was missing from the Sadler 26. Things work harder by multi-tasking and ingenious transformations turn chart tables into sleeping areas and bunks become dinner tables. So you can have it all on a 26 foot boat, just not at the same time.
There’s a can-do attitude to the Sadler 26. It’s a boat that can be sailed solo or with a family. The inherent buoyancy inspires confidence for those venturing further afield, or you can creek crawl and escape the marina scene locally.
The large forepeak hatch makes the vee-berth feel spacious. Credit: Richard Langdon
She has all the facilities of a bigger yacht, albeit not simultaneously. The accommodation is well-laid-out and will just about allow for the routines of normal life. I wouldn’t attempt a Sunday roast on board but knowing the kind of people who sail these boats, it’s probably been done.
For all her merits though, it’s the sailing performance that stands out for me.
How many boats out there can accommodate a family of four and offer safety and seaworthiness at only 26ft? Not many. And how many of those will be fun to sail? Even fewer.
Overgrown dinghy? Absolutely, in the best possible way.
Ben Sutcliffe-Davies, Marine Surveyor and full member of the Yacht Brokers Designers & Surveyors Association (YDSA) www.bensutcliffemarine.co.uk
Back in the day I used to own a Sadler 25, and my friend’s dad ordered one of the 26s off-plan and was certainly not disappointed with the level of fitout. Whilst many have stood the test of time, there are some niggles you need to be aware of.
In my view, and the view of many other surveyors, the infill foam is actually an essential part of construction, bonding the outer hull moulding to the internal moulding.
Unfortunately, one of the biggest challenges with the 26 today is where the foam has absorbed water. This causes softening of the structure, both externally and internally, and should not be ignored.
Like the Sadler 29, the Sadler 26 is double-skinned, with polyurethane foam between the outer hull and interior moulding boosting buoyancy even when flooded. Credit: Richard Langdon
This is common with twin-keel versions that have taken the ground regularly, which will result in softening around the keel root externally and movement of the internal framing near the keel fastenings.
I’d strongly recommend seeing the craft lifted and tip tests undertaken on the keels to see what deflections are occurring, both inside and outside.
Other issues include moisture in the deck pad due to the wiring of deck instruments, rotten ply where the chain plates have been fitted internally, seriously worn fastening points on the stem cap for the forestay, and the overloading of the rudder skeg on the twin-keel versions, where there has been repetitive grounding.
Contessa 26.
The Mini Cooper of the sailing world, there were almost 800 of these little yachts built over a period of almost 30 years and they’ve gained a cult following.
A mould was exported to Canada where several hundred more were built as the Taylor 26, after a trademark dispute.
Remarkably, the lines were never drawn as such, but a mould was made from a Folkboat hull and a few adaptations made to give a higher freeboard and slightly more internal volume.
A deep forefoot makes motion smooth on the Contessa 26. Credit: Rupert Holmes
Unlike the Folkboat, the Contessa 26 has a masthead rig and large overlapping genoa. The cockpit is small, even for a boat of this size, but having the mainsheet at the aft end of it makes the space there more usable.
Sail area-to-displacement ratio is low but a lot of that weight is in the keel. They aren’t renowned for their light airs performance, but the wetted surface area is less than you might imagine, thanks to the short waterline length and narrow beam.
In fact, the Contessa 26 often features in podium positions for Round the Island Race and has won a few too.
The encapsulated long keel and transom-hung rudder are attractive features, and the solid deck eliminates the problem of a soggy core.
The price you pay for an attractive boat that sails well is accommodation. There’s only 5ft of headroom except directly under the raised companionway moulding.
The sheets are in easy reach of the helm, making the Contessa 26 good for singlehanding. Credit: Graham Snook
There were three original layouts, A, B and C. All had two 6ft 6in saloon berths and 6ft 3in vee-berths.
The main differences were that there was no heads compartment in layout A; the loo was positioned between the vee-berth. This brought the vee-berth aft and created space for a proper anchor locker. On B and C configurations, a starboard heads compartment pushed the vee-berth right forward. A and C have the galley amidships; it is aft by the companionway on layout B. There’s no room for a saloon table and it’s minimalist-style living.
The Contessa 26 is incontestably pretty and has proven to be a bulletproof offshore cruiser boasting many high-profile circumnavigations.
They command a premium because of their deserved reputation, but won’t suit everyone.
Very much of their time, they’re nonetheless sought-after for 21st century adventures.
Until recently, I’d never heard of Trapper, but when my sister bought a Trapper 500 a few years ago, I wondered why they weren’t better known.
They produced several pokey performance-cruisers in the 70s and 80s with nice lines and a good turn of speed. The 300 was designed by Bruce Kirby, who also drew the Laser dinghy (enough said), and based on a successful Quarter-Tonner, but they were aimed at the cruising market.
The 300 is a fin-keeled, masthead sloop with a semi-balanced spade rudder. The bow is razor-sharp and there’s a neatly tapered stern.
The saucer-shaped hull profile is much wider at deck level than it is at the waterline, creating space on deck and increasing buoyancy when heeled, but with minimal wetted surface area in light airs. The cockpit is compact but deep and safe.
A deep cockpit on the Trapper 300 provides security. Credit: David Harding
The traveller location right in front of the companionway hatch might be frustrating on long passages if you’re often going in and out, though it’s less of an issue when coast-hopping.
The internal layout varies between the Mk 1 or Mk 2 but both have comfortable saloon seating and a saloon table.
On the Mk 1 version the galley is by the companionway, on the Mk 2 it occupies the port side of the saloon.
There’s a standard heads and hanging locker arrangement forwards of the mast and full-length vee-berth. Largely composed of interior mouldings, the insides of many remain in good condition.
If you want something that’s rewarding to sail, looks pretty and has enough space for minimalist cruising, they’re a really good option, and often better value than higher- profile designs.
The Griffon is unmistakably Westerly , with a high coachroof and square-cut transom utilising every inch of boat length.
She was the first Westerly designed by Ed Dubois, and has a more streamlined look than the older Laurent Giles models.
Although she’s still a bit boxy to the eye, the rewards are reaped below where there are two-and-a-half double bunks and 5ft 9in headroom all the way forward.
There’s the usual vee-berth arrangement, generous saloon with pull-out seating that converts to a double, and an almost double bunk in the port quarterberth.
High topsides on the Westerly Griffon and a chunky coachroof offers ample headroom down below. Credit: Bob Aylott
The Mk 1 version had a fold-down saloon table and sapele joinery. The Mk 2 had a sturdy fixed table with folding leaves and teak woodwork.
The galley occupies the starboard side as you come down the companionway and beneath the starboard side of the cockpit there’s a large locker. On deck, the cockpit is larger than average with the mainsheet position aft.
It will comfortably accommodate four for sailing, and six for cockpit drinks with the tiller up. Halyards and reefing lines lead to the cockpit, making her suitable for singlehanded sailing .
Most of them were bilge-keelers but a few had fin keels. They are reported to perform well for this keel configuration and have plenty of sail area, but pointing probably won’t be their forte.
If creek crawling and getting away from it all is more your thing than haring round the cans, and you’re looking for a boat with a nice temperament that’s comfortable for longer periods of time and gentle on the crew, here she is.
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26′ venture.
This new model features a deeper V and a little more deadrise which provides smoother riding in the open water. It is made with high-density foam, fiberglass and resin.
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One of many designs that Gary Mull made for Ranger Yachts, the Ranger 26, conceived to be the ideal compromise between a safe and comfortable on-soundings family cruiser and a competitive racer, reflects much of the art and technology that Mull blended so well in the many boats he designed during his all-too-short career. The Ranger 26 is undeniably fast: One won the 1970 IOR North American Half-Ton Cup.
The 26 is a good-looking boat with a distinctive sheer and a nice balance between freeboard and cabin height—a handsome profile wasn’t sacrificed to standing headroom—and exemplifies the construction techniques of the 1970s.
The hull is laid up by hand, and the balsa-cored deck mates to it on an inward-facing flange along the sheer line. A black-anodized aluminum toerail, fastened with bolts on 6-inch centers, completes the joint. The 1-ton iron fin keel is bolted to the hull and should be inspected periodically because the half-inch galvanized keel bolts have been known to corrode badly.
The Ranger 26 is a masthead sloop. Its deck-stepped mast is supported by upper shrouds, double lowers, a headstay, and a backstay rigged with a tensioning bridle.
At about 12 inches wide, the side decks are on the narrow side. Sailors going forward must take care when negotiating the chainplates and genoa tracks and blocks. An anchor roller wasn’t fitted as standard equipment, so anyone planning on cruising a Ranger 26 would want to consider fitting one that could perhaps also hold an anchor.
The cockpit is a little over 7 feet long and is ample for racing, cruising or socializing. The width between the seats is about right for leg bracing when heeled. Since the boat has no quarter berths, an abundance of stowage space is available under both cockpit seats.
An outboard motor provides propulsion. The transom has a cutout to accept it, but a low bulkhead just forward of the transom keeps water out of the cockpit proper and provides a convenient mounting location for the mainsheet traveler. Steering is by tiller.
The accommodation plan is conventional for this type of boat. A molded-fiberglass pan that forms the base for interior furniture includes berth fronts and platforms, and a padded vinyl headliner extends down the cabin sides. A compartment for a portable toilet and a storage closet separate the V-berth from the saloon. In the saloon, a dinette (that converts to a small double berth) is fitted on the port side, and a settee is fitted to starboard. The small galley consists of a sink to port of the companionway and a two-burner propane stove to starboard. Standing headroom is about 5 feet throughout, and sitting headroom above the seat cushions is more than 3 feet. The cabin trim is teak, and the bulkheads are teak-veneered.
Bandit , the boat I sailed for this review, races with a 130 percent genoa fitted on a Harken furler. In the 8 to 10 knots of wind that day, the boat handled well under the main alone. Once the genoa was unfurled, the boat heeled slightly before quickly accelerating to about 5 knots.
Bandit carries her 40 years lightly because she’s been well maintained. She’s a fine example of a 1970s-era racer/cruiser and is still able to show her transom to many competitors.
The Ranger 26 was built from 1969 to 1976. Depending on condition and equipment, list prices range from $3,000 to $5,800—quite a bargain for the inshore cruising opportunities that the boat offers.
Richard Smith and his wife, Beth, sail their Ericson Cruising 31, Kuma , in the Pacific Northwest. This article first appeared in the December 2013 issue of Cruising World.
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Balboa 26. Balboa 26 Courtesy Of Matts G. Djos. First splashed in 1969, the Balboa 26 continues to enjoy a strong following among budget-minded cruisers. Built sturdy and heavy, all of the boat's stress points are reinforced. The spacious cockpit comfortably seats 4 and is self bailing, ensuring that sailors stay dry.
Take advantage of our special 15% boat show discount and enjoy sailing your new Tartan-built Colgate 26 later this fall or spring. Order your new Colgate 26 now through August 2024 and save $13,125 on a your ready-to-sail new Colgate 26! To learn more, contact Randon Finkelstein at [email protected]; or Steve Colgate at 239-218-0471 ...
The MacGregor 26 Sailboat is a trailable sailing boat. It is also a water-ballasted trailer sailboat. This boat is 26 feet long and is not difficult to rig and sail. ... 7 ft., 10 in. Draft : 10 in. (with daggerboard and rudders up) Displacement: ... The new sailboat was renamed the MacGregor 26S. MacGregor replaced the older version's ...
A boat offering unique sensations. Flagship of the new FIRST line, the First 27 is unquestionably the fastest and safest cruiser in this size range. Her modern and state-of-the-art design brings the magic of planing sailing to families, couples, and solo sailors alike, wherever the cruising ground and whatever the weather conditions.
For almost 20 years, we've called this awards program SAIL Best Boats, but this year, we're refining and renaming this program to better and more fairly represent the boats we've selected. Restricting boats to categories and labels—such as Best Cruising Monohull 30-40 feet and Best Performance Monohull 40-50 feet—doesn't bring our readers the full picture.
Jeanneau and Philippe Briand together have come out with a real ocean cruiser, the Sun Odyssey 26. This boat has exceptional capacities for a 7,50 m / 24' sailboat. With over 1,80 m/ 5'10'of standing headroom, a full-width aft cabin with a berth measuring 2 m x 1,60 m / 6' 7' x 5'3' plus a full-size head that is over 1,20 m / 4' long, ités a great way to start your cruising experience.
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EMBARK ON AN ADVENTURE. Experience your grand adventure in the Regal 26 Express, a vessel that embodies superior comfort and function from top to bottom. With the seemingly-unlimited versatility of the cockpit seating and a generous salon—complete with an entertainment center and full-sized aft berth—this bold cruiser has it all.
A new Colgate 26 sailboat starts at $87,500 read to sail. When you place your order, an initial deposit of one-third of the total cost of your boat is due. A second one-third of the total cost is due when the deck and keel are installed. The third and final payment is due upon completion at the factory. See our Colgate 26 Complete Sail Away ...
The Colgate 26 sailboat is a fast, high-performance keelboat, with well-thought-out safety and ergonomic features that make it not only fun to sail, but very safe in any wind and sea conditions. Note in the photo how comfortable the boat sails in a fresh breeze with one reef in the mainsail. The Colgate 26 has positive foam flotation, rendering ...
Find Hunter 26 boats for sale in your area & across the world on YachtWorld. Offering the best selection of Hunter boats to choose from. ... Sail-all-sail. All sail. Sail-cruiser. Cruiser. Sail-racer/cruiser. Racer/Cruiser. Sail-sloop. Sloop. Make. ... New Arrival; 1998 Hunter 26. US$19,900. ↓ Price Drop. Rooke Sails | Little Rock, Arkansas ...
If you would like to expand your sailing horizons with a modern sportboat outside protected harbors and lakes, there's only one choice: the J/80. Numbers highlight the reason: Thanks to its 1,400 lb. fixed lead keel (48% ballast ratio) J/80 has big-boat feel and requires less experienced crew. The boom is high for safety and good visibility.
The boat is designed with positive flotation and offers good load-carrying capacity, which you could put to use if you added the available canvas work and camping tent. NorseBoats offers a smaller sibling, the 12.5, as well; both are available in kit form. $19,000, (902) 659-2790, norseboat.com.
Scarred by the terrible loss of life of the 1979 Fastnet Race when several yachts sank, Martin Sadler, David Sadler's son, designed the 26 and 29 to withstand significant water ingress.. Although their unsinkability was never officially established, in one test the 26 was sailed through overfalls under full sail in a Force 5 with the seacocks open and half full of water, which sounds pretty ...
2022 Cutwater C-288 Coupe. Above: A 2022 Cutwater C-288 Coupe with twin Yamaha 250-HP outboards cruises along the water. Photo: Cutwater Boats. Those in search of a compact cabin cruiser in 2022 will want to check out the all-new Cutwater C-288 C. Like other Cutwaters this model defines the "pocket yacht" segment of the market, somehow ...
Dufour Grand Large 360. Dufour Grand Large 360 Jon Whittle. Dufour Yachts introduced its new 360 Grand Large model to CW's Boat of the Year team in 2018 as a coastal cruiser intended for a couple or perhaps a small family. With that in mind, judge Alvah Simon found numerous clever elements to praise within the boat's 35-foot-2-inch hull—a ...
New Cruising Sailboats. Cruising sailboats are the most popular type of new sailboat for sale. Today's new sailboat manufacturers offer a range of deck and interior variations giving sailors a lot of options to choose from. Browse through new cruising sailboats for sale from: Catalina, Beneteau, Hunter, Jeanneau, Hanse, Custom, Pearson ...
Make MacGregor. Model 26ftM. Category Motorsailer Sailboats. Length 26. Posted Over 1 Month. Improvements worth $20,000.00+. 60 HP Yamaha 4-stroke fuel injection, newer outboard. Complete rewire including dual batteries and switch; new fuel tanks & plumbing for fuel tanks, New pressurized water system including pumps and plumbing.
Used Macgregor Yachts 26 1 listing. Find MacGregor 26 boats for sale in your area & across the world on YachtWorld. Offering the best selection of MacGregor boats to choose from.
Notes. S&S design #1235. Originally promoted as the NEW HORIZONS 25. This was S&S's first production sailboat designed as an ALL fiberglass small cruiser. Ray Greene, a pioneer in the field, as the builder, made a perfect fit. Many of the components for the interior, etc, were molded fiberglass, a practice that did not become common for a ...
26′ Venture Sport. This new model features a deeper V and a little more deadrise which provides smoother riding in the open water. It is made with high-density foam, fiberglass and resin. ... With so many features and configurations for your C-Dory boat, feel free to request a brochure so you can see what we offer. Download. Explore all the C ...
The Ranger 26 was built from 1969 to 1976. Depending on condition and equipment, list prices range from $3,000 to $5,800—quite a bargain for the inshore cruising opportunities that the boat offers. Richard Smith and his wife, Beth, sail their Ericson Cruising 31, Kuma, in the Pacific Northwest. This article first appeared in the December 2013 ...
Posted Over 1 Month. 69' Westerly Centaur 26 ft sailboat, inboard Volvo 25 h.p. diesel, twin keel, with trailer, tiller steering, 4 sails, roller furling for head sail, 6' 4'' cabin head room, sleeps 6, head , galley, ice box, restoration is 75% completed. 6500 lb heavy duty construction built to Lloyds of London standards. $6500/Possible trade ...