26 feet yacht

Yachting Monthly

• Digital edition

Sadler 26: the little boat with big attitude

• Rachael Sprot
• September 8, 2022

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

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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.

Folkboat DNA in the Sadler 26

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.

Well-considered cockpit

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.

A good use of space

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.

Impressive handling

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.

Compact but clever

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.

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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.

Expert opinion on the Sadler 26

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.

Alternatives to the Sadler 26

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.

Trapper 300

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.

Westerly Griffon

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’ FRANCES. A small double-ended cruiser.

HULL NUMBER 1 of the Frances design, built by Tom Morris in 1975. It had a custom tall, double spreader sailplan, no pulpits, and beautiful sails, for racing.

LALUZ. A flush decked Frances that has sailed more than halfway around the world.

THE TALL RIG boosted performance in light airs, but required a reef much sooner when the wind piped up. The majority of FRANCESes had a short house so you could stand up in them.

The second FRANCES was fractional sloop rigged with a self-tending jib. The first few FRANCESes were flush decked like this. When a short house was added with full headroom (if one was less than six feet tall), and more efficient sailplans were designed, interest in the boat blossomed. Before all was said and done, more than 200 yachts were built to this design.

ORIGINAL FRANCES DIMENSIONS

LOA: 25′  10″

LWL: 21′  3″

BEAM: 8′  4″

DRAFT: 3’  10″ (NOW 4′-1″)

DISPLACEMENT, as built: 6,800 lbs Full load 7300 lbs (approx)

BALLAST (lead):  3,500  lbs

SAIL AREA (100% foretriangle): 317 to 340  sq ft (varies)

DISPL/L RATIO: 316 – 330 (varies)

SAIL AREA/DISP RATIO: 14.5 to 15.6 (varies)

LA LUZ cruising in the tropics. She sailed from Maine to New Zealand.

The FRANCES is one of recent history’s most admired small cruising designs. Well over 200 of the small yachts are now sailing, and they are well loved wherever they voyage. I decided to design this small but capable cruising boat in 1974. My own boat was flush-decked, and I cruised it from Maine to Rhode Island. Another (LA LUZ) is halfway through a circumnavigation. A third (YANLI) has sailed from England to Australia and then to Hawaii and back to Australia.  Many of the sisterships added a small house for full headroom, and a variety of sailplans have been fitted.

FRANCES es were built in fiberglass by Morris Yachts in America and Victoria Marine in the U.K. Quite a few fine examples were custom built from our plans of cold-moulded wood using the WEST system.

And now, in her dotage, new aspirants are restoring these fine old boats for their own adventures. Sailing the open ocean in such a small boat is borderline foolhardy- though many have successfully crossed oceans. But if you are aware of the discomforts of facing a storm at sea in something of this size, and are aware of the many advantages of a small, manually handleable yacht, the Frances is one of the better alternatives.

The lines of the original FRANCES.

A preliminary sketch for the first FRANCES .

I often ponder what it might be about the FRANCES design that makes it so popular. I think it must be the aesthetics first and foremost.  But the real surprise is how well it sails. Nearly half of her weight is ballast, and it is made of lead. So despite her shallow draft she is reasonably stable and surprisingly fast. Of the various rigs the ones with larger headsails and smaller mainsails proved to be the faster and more weatherly, at the expense of more work trimming, of course. Some of the earlier sailplans were frankly overcanvassed, and a new sailplan, designed in 2020, offers more drive with less heeling,

YOU COULD add a spinnaker, and then you could race her. With a shallow keel and a lot of wetted surface, racing the short-rigged Frances is an exercise in futility. But it’s colorful and if there’s not a lot of windward work, you might just possibly collect silverware.

In the last year I have been contacted by three Frances owners who want to improve their 45-year-old boats, and one who intends to build a new one. The biggest improvement among many small ones is to fit a carbon fiber mast and a new sailplan. This new rig falls about halfway between the old short and tall rigs. It specifies a roller-furler for the jib and a genoa, and a solid vang for the boom, plus a deployable Spectra inner forestay and Solent jib for windier conditions. If you own an old Frances and want to improve it, or can buy one for a reasonable price but are realistic about the significant cost to bring it up to date, contact the designer and invest in a new rig and sails that will significantly improve your boat’s performance, and leave the political craziness and economic uncertainty of life ashore behind.

The original FRANCES hull is pared away in width below the points where the cabin sole needs width and the fairing radius between keel and hull is tight. This is a shape without a lot of form stability, so the FRANCES compensated with an unusually low center of gravity thanks to 3500 pounds of lead ballast.

THE NEWEST SAILPLAN. It uses a carbon fiber mast and simplified rigging with sweptback spreaders, a single aft lower shroud, and larger diameter stainless steel rigging. The offshore or inshore mission of each boat can be addressed by the amount of overlap of the genoa. This particular boat’s owner anticipates heading off on an immediate ocean crossing, so the genoa is of modest overlap and a deployable Spectra stay and Solent jib are available for heavy weather.

I adored my little FRANCES . She was beautiful, well mannered, stable enough, and just plain fun. Her sleek lines cut through resistance like a dreadnaught. Point FRANCES toward a destination and she was unstoppable. Her timeless virtues seem to have disappeared from the modern world. They just don’t build ’em like FRANCES anymore.

LA LUZ had a big genoa so she goes very well in light airs. She spent five years sailing in the South Pacific and ended up in New Zealand.

THE NEW VERSIONS will have a short cabin very similar to this, perched atop the midship raised deck. The perception of space this lends to the interior is quite amazing.

WITH THE SHORT, almost 6-foot headroom house, the interior of a Frances could feel much larger than you’d expect on a 26-foot boat. This is a custom WEST-system boat built in New Zealand.

The Aft Head arrangement for the Frances with one seaberth and a permanent double. (Note: The companionway steps may have to be slid forward depending upon your choice of propulsion).

The Aft Head arrangement for the Frances with two settees, and a large double berth forward. (Note: The companionway steps may have to be slid forward depending upon your choice of propulsion).

The original FRANCES is a highly respected, classic design. She’s comparable in many ways to an MGTD or a J3 Cub. They spewed oil and weren’t very fast by today’s standards, but they were so cute and stylish and safe that owners have enjoyed every minute of their use for decades. The hullform is conventional, heavily ballasted , with no concessions made for speed. It has a CSV (capsize screen value) of 1.70. Anything less than 2.00 is considered a good choice for offshore voyaging.

This design is featured in both of my recent books; MY YACHT DESIGNS and the Lessons they taught me, and THE BOATS I’VE LOVED— 20 Classic Sailboat Designs by Chuck Paine. Both are beautiful, full colored, first class books which give you lots more information on this design, and can be purchased on this website.

QUITE A FEW sailplans have been fitted to a FRANCES. This is one of the “tall rigs”, which could even be raced, and really got the boat going in light to moderate airs, but are too overcanvassed for offshore voyaging.  If your idea is to sail around the world, the more conservative rigs, with a three-foot shorter mast, would require reefing less often.

A British built cutter rigged FRANCES.                                                photo credit Charlie Whiteman

FOR MORE PHOTOS OF LA LUZ , A FLUSH-DECKED FRANCES THAT HAS BEEN SAILED HALFWAY AROUND THE WORLD, CLICK HERE:

http://frances26.org/laluz.php

Further information may be obtained from:

CHUCKPAINE.COM LLC Tenants Harbor, Maine 04860-0114

To email Chuck:

[email protected]

A LONG, FUN HISTORY OF THE FRANCES 26 DESIGN

You’ll find great histories of the FRANCES design in both of my books, available as digital downloads from this website. But a recently formed Facebook Group called The Chuck Paine Yacht Designs Fan Club has produced all sorts of photos from owners all over the world, and a few interesting anecdotes. With the benefit of these gifts from the 48-year history of the Frances design, here is a much longer story, told mostly in pictures..

The first of many eventual sailplans had a tall fractional sloop rig with a self-tending jib set on a jibboom. This worked okay before  jib roller-furling became popular, but the boomed jib gave up some potential sail area and the tall mast was heavy and required a lot of rigging with its weight and windage.

THERE I WAS at age 30. Young and ambitious, I’d come up with an idea of what life was about for me. Design a new yacht, build a prototype in my beautiful rented shop, sell it to one of the many emerging fiberglass boatbuilders and do it all over again. With my superb shop full of the finest tools someone else’s money could buy, a pretty girlfriend who looked like she might stick around, and my loyal dog Shep at my feet, what could possibly go wrong?

IN 1973 I had recently quit my job working for Dick Carter as a draftsman. I’d met this girl (now my wife) and decided to take her on a backpacking trip from Scotland to India. I had this idea that when we returned I would take my life savings and design and build a boat. The Westsail 32 had become a life-changing phenomenon for sea-seeking vagabonds, and I figured what the world needed was a smaller, more affordable double-ender.  26 feet was all I could afford so that determined her size. I lucked out and was able to rent this beautiful, heated and insulated shop full of the best woodworking tools for next to nothing. This shows the nearly finished hull upside down in midsummer of 1974, when I met this guy named Tom Morris who was getting started as a boatbuilder and fell in love with the design. We made a handshake deal that he would take a fiberglass mold off my hull, invest in a lot more tooling and a ballast mold, and I would press on and finish my boat in time for me to take it to the Newport Boat Show in September, and we would both become rich and famous. In the end, luck intervened.

AFTER TOM MORRIS had taken his mold off my hull the day came to turn her over.

AS THE SUMMER wore on my boat was nearing completion. Her hull was built using the then popular foam core over stringers method, with a conventional glass covered plywood deck over frames.

WITH MY BOAT NEARLY FINISHED, the shop burned to the ground. Gone were my new boat, my life savings, all my tools, my landlord’s beautiful shop that I had planned to live out my life in, and my newfound livelihood. But I dusted myself off and determined to take the insurance settlement and build another Frances in the Spring.

IN A STROKE OF GOOD FORTUNE I had met Tom Morris and he had committed to building new Franceses. When he heard about the loss of my boat he offered to sell me a hull from his new mold at cost, and space in his shop in Southwest Harbor in which to complete it. I hired my twin and he moved to Maine to help me get it built. We worked together for six months of intense work and got her finished in time to show her at the 1975 Newport Boat Show. Tom and I sat together on the side deck for four days and sold boats… it was that easy back in the halcyon days of fiberglass boatbuilding.

WHEN CUSTOMERS CAME ALONG who wanted to build a FRANCES of some other material than fiberglass, I would sell them the appropriate plans. Most of these customers hailed from other parts of the world. This one is Tom Thumb , built in Australia.

NUTCRACKER was built in the WEST System by a lady sailmaker from Toronto.

HERE’s NUTCRACKER 46 years after first launched, restored to like-new condition. WEST System cold molded yachts last virtually forever, given a facelift every 50 years or so.

TOM THUMB coming at you. A lot of boat, a lot of ballast, and a lot of wind.

A GUY NAMED DICK CROSS BOUGHT A KITBOAT FROM Tom and hired my brother Art to help him finish it. Art drew a rig with a huge 150% overlap genoa, and in less than ten knots of wind the boat really flew. Like many well-drawn double-enders his boat KARMA could be easily steered by a wind-vane self steerer. Here Dick is having a kip while the boat steers itself happily to windward. Dick was a man’s man. No roller furling on that genoa, and if the breeze got above 10 knots he’d have to wrestle it into submission and hoist a smaller jib. And don’t forget his version had a bowsprit.

IN 2022 I caught up with hull number one of the FRANCES, built by Tom Morris alongside the hull that I was completing in his shop. She’s still going strong. I still remember that her original owner asked me to design a tall double-spreader rig for her so that she could be raced.

TOM MORRIS sent this photo of one of his first builds, BLENKEZOUKER, to most of the European yachting magazines. As a result Bernard Hayman, the then editor of Yachting World in Britain, wrote an embarrassingly favourable editorial, decrying the fact that it took a bloody Yank to design something so beautiful. Four British boatbuilders saw the editorial and heard that it had in the words of Hayman elicited more inquiries to Yachting World than any article in its history, and asked to build it under license. Tom Morris and I chose a young and ambitious entrepreneur, Peter Gregory, and his new company Victoria Marine, to build the Frances in the UK. In a few years he had built more than 150 Franceses is various versions, and commissioned three more Chuck Paine designs to be built at his shop in Warsash at the mouth of the Hamble river. The success of the Frances and my next design for Peter, the Victoria 30 , caught the eye of Charles Maunder at Bowman Yachts in Woolston (Southampton, UK), and in the next few years he built hundreds of yachts to four of my designs.

CHUCK AND DEBBY at their first London Boat Show, 1977.

HERE’S ONE OF the many Franceses at her birthplace Stone Pier Yard in Warsash, UK. Not your typical English weather, but when the sun shines in southern England, it’s glorious.

A CUTTER RIGGED Frances somewhere along the coast of England.  The wobbly perimeter of the sunshade makes me crazy.

THUS BEGAN MANY YEARS of commuting to England to sell boats, and to convince either Peter or Charles Maunder of Bowman Yachts that he needed a new design. I would attend the London Boat Show at Earls Court Exhibition Centre every January, and the Southampton Boat Show every September. In all those years I can’t recall  a Southampton show when the relentless rain that typifies an English summer didn’t cease for the week in September that I had to be at the show

A TYPICAL Southampton Boat Show scene.

DITTO. Was it my sunny disposition that brought the fine weather?

GALAVANT WAS built in New Zealand in wood/epoxy. If you ever get to Christchurch, drive to its seaport Lyttleton and maybe you will find her there.

SOME OF THESE home-built boats were really nicely done. GALAVANT ‘s owner decided to open up the interior by eliminating the usual “main bulkhead”, using a series of hanging knees to provide adequate strength. I like it.

SAME BOAT looking aft

I PARTICULARLY LIKE the cabin sole- nice, light color.

ANOTHER PHOTO OF HER SHAPE.

FELICITY . A British Frances that sailed to Maine.

SOLEIL . Tom Morris owned this one himself for awhile.

A VICTORIA FRANCES. Location unknown. This is the tidy original “British Cutter” rig. Not fast, but it could stand up to much more wind than the tall, racy rigs.

I FOUND YANLI in Bateman’s Bay, Australia. When I encountered her I didn’t know her story. She must have been shipped there on the deck of a freighter, I thought. Nobody would be crazy enough to sail a Frances that distance. Then through the Chuck Paine Yacht Designs Fan Club on Facebook I learned her actual story. A fellow bought her new in Warsash, UK. He financed her. Put down his down payment, hoisted the sails, and that was the last the bank heard from her owner for years. He sailed her south to the Canary Islands, then across to the Caribbean. Then through the Panama Canal. Howcum the bank didn’t have an arrest warrant waiting for her at this obvious choke point I can’t fathom. Then on he sailed to New Zealand. As if that weren’t enough adventure sailing too small a boat on too large an ocean, he then sailed across the Pacific again to the North, to Hawaii. And that is where the bank finally caught up with him. The bank arrested the boat and sold it to an Aussie. Who then sailed it BACK across the Pacific to Australia. Which is how I got to take this photo in Bateman’s Bay Australia three years ago- not looking too bad after the equivalent of sailing around the world!

THE JOYS OF downwind sailing.

INYONI . Needs some bottom paint.

TOM THUMB in Sydney, Australia.

TULA . Someplace in Florida, I think.

FREJA . Location unknown.

A BRITISH BUILT FRANCES, someplace in England..

THE CUSTOM VARNISHED companionway and forward hatch are nice touches.

FELICITY SAILED transatlantic from the UK to Maine. She lives in Rockland, Maine now, a few miles from my home.

WILDWOOD is one of the Tom Morris built beauties.

THIS BRITISH BUILT Frances is trying out her new mainsail.

A HOME-BUILT Frances on turnover day. Location and details unknown.

FELICITY wing and wing.

TOLERANCE . In my dotage I’ve come to find varnished teak railcaps intolerable. I really like the ones that are simply painted white. They’re so much easier to take care of. And if the shape of the design is inherently beautiful, varnished teak is just gilding the lily.

A CLOSEUP OF GALAVANT sailing in Lyttlton Harbour, NZ.

ERICA . I think she’s at Universal Marina on the Hamble river.

GALAVANT Galavanting nicely to windward.

GALAVANT’s colorful reacher.

ONE YEAR PETER GREGORY showed one of his creations in the water at the Southampton Boat Show.

WHIM. Tollesbury, Essex, UK.

WHIM ‘s nice, wide open interior.

SOLEIL’ s Interior

SOLEIL – Morris built Frances

SOLEIL ‘s Galley.

A CUTTER RIGGED FRANCES. Location unknown.

AN ENGLISH FRANCES somewhere in the UK. One reason the Frances sails reasonably well despite the shoal draft is the absence of a garboard radius. The entire keel does its work of preventing leeway- all the way up to where it meets the hull.

A cutter rigged Frances somewhere in the UK.

ELLA is one of the two FRANCESes I am aware of that fitted a gaff rig.

Open 262 Center Console · Features

Open models.

Starting at $445,860

Starting at $340,690

Starting at $290,280

Starting at $236,570

Starting at $165,355

Starting at $127,705

Starting at $93,290

NEW Open 212

Starting at $85,970

Heritage Models

Heritage 261

Starting at $166,800

Heritage 231

Starting at $96,975

Masters Models

Masters 267

Starting at $161,065

Masters 267OE

Masters 247

Starting at $103,035

Masters 247OE

NEW Masters 227

Starting at $86,970

Cruising intracoastal waterways or fishing offshore, all in a day's work

Climbing on-board the Open 262, you are met with amenities you've never seen on a 26 foot boat. Starting with the dual side entry doors which open 180-degrees for unobstructed water-centric access. For shade, a feature-packed fiberglass hard-top with lights, speakers and rod holders. At the helm, state-of-the-art standard electronics and protection all the way around thanks to the integrated tempered glass windshield. Gorgeous twin aquarium livewells at the transom accompany the fishing-ready cockpit layout. And let's not forget, a modern finely-tuned hull with superior ride designed for the latest engines.

Dual Side Entry Doors

Single / Twins

Hard-Top Standard

Yacht Certified

All In a Day's Work

Ready for Everything

Yamaha Financing Available

Other Features

Offered in Desert Tan, Ash Gray and Polar White .

SportTech® Advanced Fabrication Process

Our SportTech® hulls feature a no wood, all fiberglass construction, meticulously engineered to withstand the test of time and built using advanced composite materials, resins and bonding agents. The hulls are crafted with vinyl ester resin for its ultimate weatherability and resistance to water intrusion, a 10-Year Limited Hull Warranty is standard on all Sportsman Boats. Take a look Behind The Glass for an in-depth look at the construction of our boats.

Yacht & NMMA Certified

Yacht Certification means that our boats are built to the highest standards set by the American Boats & Yacht Council (ABYC) in all areas of construction. This means a safer and higher quality vessel for you and your family. This certification also means that there is no written person capacity for this boat. Learn more about the NMMA Certification process.

Interior LED Lighting Package

When the sun goes down, the cockpit comes to life. The included lighting package is as beautiful as it is functional, a blue glow covers every inch of the cockpit for safety and aesthetics.

AlloChrome4200+™ Stainless Fasteners

AlloChrome4200+™ is a revolutionary new stainless coating capable of lasting up to fifteen times longer than typical chrome coating. This means that independent testing shows that these fasteners can withstand over 4,200 hours of salt spray protection

Pull Up Cleats

High quality Gemlux pull-up cleats are standard throughout the boat. They offer a flush installation and very smooth operation.

Self Bailing Cockpit

This important safety feature allows any water on the deck to drain overboard and not into the bilge area. Any water that seeps into the bilge, can only be pumped out by the bilge pump, which is slow at draining large amounts of water. All Sportsman Boats have a collector box drainage system that ties in all drains from the deck and redirects the water directly overboard without mechanical assistance.

Grip Tex Yacht Style Non-Skid

This texture is applied to the deck and step areas for a uniform random non-skid coat. This type of non-skid is not patterned and is easy to repair should it ever get chipped or damaged.

262 CC Build & Price

Spaciousness redefined., my24 starts from msrp $161,944 with twin yamaha 150xsa2 engines.

See your local Cobia dealer for available inventory.

An icon in Cobia’s ultra-popular 26-foot center console platform, the 262 CC features advanced ergonomics and contemporary styling that maximize good looks and comfort while adding even more walk-around room and storage space. Optional features include a deluxe electronics suite with a black acrylic infinity dash and a full three-sided windshield with electric wiper and vent. There’s no doubt the 262 CC is one of the best laid out, most spacious 26-footers in the business with trusted Cobia quality and performance to match.

262 CC Specifications

Sardina Green

Whisper Grey

Atlantic Blue

Custom Colors & 2-Tone Options Also Available

Take a Closer Look at the 262 CC

262 CC Optional Features

Power – motor, power – engine controls (required), steering & handling – steering, family features – faux teak decking, family features – head, family features – sun shade, family features – stereo, fishing features – electronics, fishing features – outriggers, fishing features – fish box pump-out, fishing features – anchor systems, fishing features – windlass system, fishing features – windlass system upgrades, additional color accents – gelcoat hardtop, 2-tone underside, additional color accents – powder coating package, additional color accents – hardtop trim color, additional color accents – boot stripe, lights and electric – battery chargers, other options – trailer, other options – trailer options.

Saltwater Sportsman Cobia 262 CC  

Boating Magazine Cobia 262 CC

Sportfishing Magazine Cobia 262 CC

Performance

What cobia owners are saying.

Love the new boat. Does everything I expected and then some

– William & Janice B. 5/26/2024

Our Cobia boat fits all our needs! It is very enjoyable on the water!

– Michael N. 5/23/2024

Hey I just wanted to share a bit about my experience with our 2023 Cobia 262. We use our boat in Fl. Waters. We use it for cruising & offshore fishing. In 3-1/2 months. We put over 80 hrs on our new boat. The use-ability & functionality is as advertised. It’s comfortable interior seating and smooth ride gives us confidence while on the water with family and friends. Off shore, the Yamaha engine & auto pilot made the 20-30 mi. Trips a breeze. The fit and finish and all systems work perfect.

– George W. 4/23/2024

Cannot wait to start using my new Cobia!

– Thomas O. 3/28/2024

L&M Marina is an outstanding dealer to work with. Everyone is polite and there to answer all your questions. Karl, John, Jason, Valorie, Red and Brian were all outstanding and very helpful. Brian was so helpful in arranging equipment on the boat. If you want a good deal on a boat, then come to L&M marina!

– Jeffrey G. 1/22/2023

This is my first cobia boat and just love it, the quality and the thought of design and comfort is top notch.

– Steven E. 9/27/2023

Do it all in any waters

26' 9", 9' 3", fuel capacity, explore the 26 xo.

A hybrid center console built for adventure. New optional half tower, single Yamaha 450, multiple casting platforms, built-in coolers, stand-up head compartment, forward sun shade option, and optional removable watersports tow bar allow you to fish and play all day. 

*Model year specifications may vary.

Super stable forward casting platform, 32-gallon livewell in the Deluxe Tackle Center and optional T-Top Rocket Launchers.

Regulator 26XO

A day in the life of the Regulator 26XO center console crossover - a hybrid bay boat that does it all.

Quick stats.

LOA : 26' 9"

BEAM : 9' 3"

FUEL CAPACITY : 107 GAL

DRAFT : 20.5” ENGINES UP

DRAFT : 30” ENGINES DOWN, JACKPLATE RAISED

TOTAL FISHBOX & STORAGE CAPACITY : 1,648 QTS

HEAD W/ HOLDING TANK : 9 gal

FRESHWATER TANK : 20 gal

TOTAL LIVEWELL CAPACITY : 32 gal

STANDARDS & OPTIONS

Select to view details.

STANDARD EQUIPMENT

CUSTOMIZED OPTIONS

• LOA: 26’ 9”
• Beam: 9’ 3”Height in Head: 64”
• Bridge Height*: 108” (117.5” w/ Tower)
• Height from Keel: 115.5” (133.5” w/ Tower)
• Dry Weight w/ Engine: 7,270 lbs 
• Fuel Capacity: 107 gal
• Deadrise: 17 Degrees
• Draft: 20.5” Engine Up
• Draft: 30” Engine Down, Jackplate Raised
• Center Forward Storage: 216 qts
• Fwd Seat Fishbox/Dry Storage w/ Locking Rod Storage (2): 292 qts ea
• In-Deck, Macerated Fishbox: 280 qts
• Console Cooler Seat: 56 qts
• Head w/ Holding Tank: 9 gal
• Freshwater Tank: 20 gal
• Tackle Center Livewell: 32 gal
• Aft Platform Storage (2): 256 qts ea 

* Measurement is to tallest available option (Dome Radar)

Build & price your custom 26xo

Forward Casting Platform with 2 insulated/illuminated forward fishboxes, plus in-deck insulated/illuminated/macerated fishbox, stainless steel conventional rod holders along the gunwale and  under-gunwale rod storage. Now available with optional Half Tower Station.

"FIRST IMPRESSIONS ARE LASTING!"

First impressions are lasting and the 26xo did not disappoint..

- SaltWater Sportsman

Get your Regulator brochure

The 26xo with our other models, the perfect boat to fit your needs, events & boat shows, find your dealer.

© Copyright Regulator Marine, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Specifications, standards, options and availability are subject to change.

Regulator Marine and the Regulator Marine fish logo are registered trademarks of Regulator Marine, Inc.

• Craftsmanship
• Build A Boat

Front Runner Boats

26' center console.

26 Center Console

We took everything that sets our larger models apart and packed it into a smaller boat. She features a proud bow and a traditional v-bottom to ensure she will punch out of the toughest inlets and provide a smooth ride for you and your crew. Available with multiple power options to best suit your needs paired with a 150-gallon fuel tank get you where you need to go without worrying where the next fuel dock is. Anglers can customize this center console to meet their needs—whether you're casting to Cobia behind a ray or trolling for Sailfish miles offshore. This is our first model under 30’ and we can’t wait to see where you take it.

LENGTH: 26'

BEAM: 8'11"

WEIGHT: 5,500 LBS

FUEL CAPACITY: 150 GAL

Range: 250 NM

POWER:  Twin Mercury V6 225s

Options & Upgrades

• High Gloss Bright White Gel Color
• Flush Stainless Fills & Vents (2)
• Pull Up Cleats (5)
• Rod Holders (6)
• Automatic Bilge Pumps (3)
• Curved Isinglass Windshield
• Freshwater Washdown
• Saltwater Washdown
• Cup Holders (2)
• 360 Coaming Bolsters
• Deep Cycle Batteries w/ Custom HD Battery Box
• Battery Chargers
• Ignitions Safety Stop Switches
• LED Cockpit & Courtesy Lighting
• Stainless Bow & Stern Eyes
• Stainless Steel Rub Rail
• Aluminum Leaning Post w/ Bench Seat
• Cooler w/ Slide Outs
• Transom Livewells- 2 35 Gal.
• Telescoping Dive Ladder
• Macerated Fish Boxes (3)
• Porta Potti
• Twin 225 V6
• JL Audio : 6 Speakers (7.7s), Gunwale 2 Subs(8”), 1 Amps
• Dual Garmin 8612 12" Screens
• Garmin Autopilot w/ AP Controller
• Garmin 18 Radome
• 2 i-COM VHF w/ Antennas
• Sirius XM Satellite Weather
• 1 KW Transducer
• Front Runner Custom Dash Panel
• Hardtop w/ LED Lighting
• Anodized Aluminum Frame
• Gemlux Outriggers 18'

• Twin Mercury V8 300's
• Forward Seating w/ Backrest
• Fold Out Transom Seat
• Fiberglass Leaning Post w/ Frigid Rigid Cooler
• Two Tone Hull Color
• Matched Hard Top
• Powder Coat Package
• Fuel Upgrade (200 Gal. Total)
• Trolling Motor
• Stand Thru Tower w/ Controls (9" Screens)
• Electric Reel Outlets
• Glass Windshield

• Request a Quote

• Performance Sailboat Racing
• Teaching Sailing and Racing
• Specifications
• Sail Away Package
• Optional Items
• Testimonials
• Place an Order

Responsive and Fun for All Sailors

Comfortable Sailing for Couples

Exhilarating Sailing with Friends

Well Balanced and Safe in Heavy Air

Fast Round-the-Buoy Racer

Awesome for Family Sailing

Superb for Teaching Sailing!

The colgate 26 – a sailboat for all reasons, boat show special.

6338 Presidential Court, #201 Fort Myers, Florida 33919 +1.239.985-7505

• Why Colgate 26
• Price Packages
• Privacy Statement

• Build Your Boat
• View Inventory
• Regal Advantage

Choose Your Regal Boat

36 Grande Coupe

38 Grande Coupe

42 Grande Coupe

select YOUR Trim series

Enjoy thoughtfully curated features and options that strike the perfect balance between form and function.

• Handcrafted Interiors with Thoughtful Ergonomics
• Premium Appointments and Upgrades
• Integrated Navigation and Entertainment Suites

LS2 Surf Ultimate

Elevate your boating adventure with the Ultimate Trim Series. Experience unrivaled customization, state-of-the-art technology, and unparalleled luxury.

• Fully Customizable Ultra-Premium Interiors 
• Ultra-Premium Appointments and Upgrades
• Our Highest Level of Technology

38 SAV Ultimate

LS4 Surf Ultimate

Sterndrive bowrider.

2000 ES ESX

Excite your boating adventure with the ESX Trim. 

• Handcrafted Interiors with Color Matched Upholstery
• Exterior Graphics

Outboard Bowrider

LX2 Ultimate

LS2 Ultimate

LS6 Surf Ultimate

LX4 Ultimate

LS4 Ultimate

LS9 Surf Ultimate

LX6 Ultimate

38 surf ultimate.

LS6 Ultimate

50 sav ultimate.

LX9 Ultimate

LS9 Ultimate

LX36 Ultimate

• Fully Customizable Ultra-Premium Interiors

LS36 Ultimate

DESIGNED FOR RELAXATION

Engineered for ultimate versatility. Handcrafted with attention to every experience-enhancing detail. The Regal 26 XO is a refined cruiser that meets an elevated standard of excellence. With a wide variety of amenities available both above deck and below, this boat is designed to keep you—and your guests—feeling comfortable, relaxed and refreshed all day long.

Revved Up Savings Event

Save up to $10,000.

Now is the perfect time to join the Regal family and enjoy unforgettable adventures with friends and family. Explore savings of up to $10,000 on in-stock 2023 and 2024 Regal 26 XO models.

Layout and Seating

Multi-position sunlounge.

Lay down the backrest, get comfortable, and soak in the rays on the large multi-position sunlounge.

Face-To-Face Seating

Comfortably seat five in the face-to-face seating and enjoy spending time with those that love being on the water as much as you do.

Social Seating

Face forward or aft with a flip of the backrest.

ONE-OF-A-KIND SALON

Regal's uniquely shaped salon provides the most-in-class space with an expansive seating layout and berth for overnight stays.

The cabin's galley features an optional electric stove and refrigerator, a stainless steel sink, and plenty of storage for everything you need to entertain your guests.

SPACIOUS MID-CABIN

Featuring a comfortable double berth, the mid-cabin is an efficient and spacious use of space below deck.

Differentiating Advantages

Lazarette storage.

Lift up the UltraLounge to reveal a deep lazarette storage compartment.

Lower your tower with the touch of a button for low bridges or storage.

Wraparound Swim Platform

The wraparound swim platform features effortless access to the water.

Integrated Foredeck Steps

Steps are integrated into your cabin door for easy access to your foredeck, which can be equipped with a sunpad.

Power of Choice

Choose your power.

Like the layout of the 26 XO, but prefer a different power? When you choose Regal, you get the freedom to match your style with your preferred power.

Sterndrive: 26 Express

Experience a grand adventure with the Regal 26 Express. With the unlimited versatility of the cockpit seating and a generous salon in the forward berth, complete with an entertainment center and full-sized aft berth, this bold cruiser leaves out nothing.

Hull Bottom

Build your custom regal boat, photo gallery.

Cockpit Layout

Cabin Layout

26 xo specifications.

Standard Features

Cockpit features.

Courtesy Blue LED Lights

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.

Foredeck Steps

The foredeck steps are very wide and integrated into the door. Upgraded with Harken bearings, the steps can easily handle the added stress.

Fusion Marine Sound - 4 Cockpit Speakers

The best sound begins with the best equipment. That means four 200 watt Fusion cockpit speakers with an IP65 waterproof rating.

Fusion Stereo Bluetooth

Get the best sound out of the best equipment wirelessly.

Lay down the backrest, get comfortable, and soak in the rays on the large sunlounge.

Removable Cooler

The 26 Express and 28 Express features a removable 25 quart Igloo cooler with designated storage that will handle even the thirstiest of crews.

Transom Shower

The transom shower will help keep your boat nice and clean.

Trash Receptacle

A trash receptacle comes standard on every Regal.

Helm Features

12 Volt Accessory Plug

A 12-volt accessory plug is ready at the helm when you need it.

Stainless Binnacle Control with Safety Lanyard

Comfort and safety go hand in hand when at the helm.

Hand-wrapped Steering Wheel

Regals feature a premium hand-wrapped steering wheel for the utmost comfort and control.

Trim Tab Controls

The standard trim tabs give you complete control over your boat even in the roughest of seas.

Hull & Deck Features

The first mate will enjoy the flat foredeck when working the anchor or bow lines.

Anchor Roller

Your next Regal comes standard with an anchor roller and stainless steel guard plate to keep your foredeck free of scratches.

Composite Stringers

Featuring all composite stringers to make the boat stronger and lighter.

Deck Hatch with Privacy Screen

Let the breeze in but keep the bugs out with the deck hatch and screen.

Fast Vent Fuel Fitting

Regal uses stainless whereas others use plastic.

In-Mold Gelcoat Boot Stripe

This superior gel finish will last longer than taped-on vinyl graphics.

Limited Lifetime Hull Warranty

Regal offers a Limited Lifetime Hull Warranty.

MarineTred Non-Skid

Diamond MarineTred is incorporated into the mold for a superior finish. It's less abrasive and easier to clean.

One Piece Bow Rail

The one piece and 316 grade stainless steel bow rail just reminds you why to buy the superior quality and finish of a Regal.

8" Stainless Cleats

Regal features six 8" stainless steel cleats, which won't rust or break over time.

Stainless Deck Hardware

Regals feature upgraded 316-grade stainless hardware.

Stainless Steel Upgrade Package

Includes Stainless Gas Rams and Steering Wheel

Vinyl Ester Barrier Coating

The additional layer of resin coating provides superior protection against hull blistering.

Aft Stateroom Features

Spacious mid-cabin, cabin features.

Fusion Apollo RA670 Marine Stereo

The Fusion radio has full integration for your smart phone via Bluetooth and has AM/FM radio capabilities.

Fusion Marine Sound - 2 Cabin Speakers

Two 200 watt Fusion speakers make the cabin sound like a home theater.

Hull Side Windows

The large hull side picture windows let in an abundance of natural light, making your salon feel like home.

Galley Features

Hand-crafted cabinetry.

The hand-crafted cabinetry looks stunning as you enter the cabin.

Stainless Refrigerator

The 4.2 Cubic Feet refrigerator is big enough for all your food on a very long weekend.

Head Features

Toilet paper holder.

Regals feature designated storage for all of your amenities.

Technical & Systems Features

Automatic bilge pump.

The automatic bilge pump takes action before you even realize what is wrong.

Dual Battery Switch

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.

Integrated Self Bailing Cockpit System

Keep a clean bilge with all your wash down and rain water draining directly overboard.

NMMA, ABYC, USCG & CE Certified

Regal makes sure that it meets the highest standards of safety in the industry.

SeaStar Electric Steering

There is nothing like fingertip control created by the power steering.

Pressurized Water System

A pressurized water system is standard, complete with sinks, water pump, tank, and a filter.

Weather Resistant Deutsch Connectors

On a Regal, you'll find Deutsch connectors for superior protection and durability.

Performance Reports

26 XO Performance Report - Yamaha V6 300

26x-26xo pdf manual 4-2019.

MODERN YACHTS

Expedition-26, aluminum powerboat, technical characteristics.

Max. Length

Displacement

Passenger capacity

Sleep capacity

Fuel capacity

Water capasity

Kitchen length 6.5 ft  

Bathroom with pump toilet

7.5 m (24.60 ft)

8 m (26.26 ft)

2.55 m (8.36 ft.)

0.34 m (1.11 ft.)

2 tons

500 liters (132-264 gal)

100 liters (26 gal)

This center console lets you know in a big way that rugged is standard with the offshore boats of EdgeWater.

A smooth, stable ride and capable performance makes the 262CC one of the top offshore boats available on the market today. A powerful deep-V hull, unsinkable Single Piece Infusion construction and up to 500 hp from twin Yamaha outboards, make all jobs for these offshore boats a breeze. Fish or cruise in comfort with a walk-in console complete with head, sink, shower and extra storage. The 262CC exceeds all expectations of any other boat.

262CC Virtual Tour

262cc specifications, features & options gallery.

Additional info, if available, will be shown here.

Standard Features

• Single Piece Infusion (SPI) Structural System
• Limited Lifetime Structural Hull Warranty
• NMMA, ABYC & CE Certified
• Self Bailing Non-Skid Decks
• NO WOOD All Composite Construction
• Closed-Cell Foam Flotation
• Variable Deadrise Deep V Hull
• High Density Composite Transom
• White Gelcoat Hull Color
• Walk-thru Transom Door w/ SS Latch
• Starboard Side Dive Door w/ Stainless Steel Latch
• Folding Transom Boarding Ladder
• Welded 316L Stainless Steel Recessed Powdercoated Bow Rail
• Stainless Steel Rubrail
• Stainless Steel Gunwale Mounted Rod Holders (4)
• Stainless Steel Bow and Stern Eyes (3)
• 10″ Stainless Steel Pull Up Cleats (6)
• White Powdercoated Fiberglass Hardtop w/ Rod Holders (5), LED Spreader Lights (2), Helm Light, Instrument Box & PFD Storage Bag
• Walk-in Console w/ Fiberglass Liner
• Custom Frameless Windshield
• Deluxe Stainless Steel Steering Wheel w/ Power Knob
• Yamaha Electric Steering w/ Tilt Helm
• Switch Panel w/ Waterproof Switches, Circuit Breakers & 12V Outlet
• Ritchie Compass
• Interior Console Fresh Water Sink w/ Pull-out Shower
• Electric Fresh Water Head w/ Holding Tank (7), Overboard Discharge & Pumpout
• Interior Console Storage Center w/ Drawers
• Stainless Steel Cockpit Toe Rail
• Raw Water Washdown Outlet
• Stainless Steel Drink Holders on Console (2)
• Fresh Water System w/ 19 Gallon Tank
• Seakeeper Ride
• LED Cockpit/Livewell Lighting
• LED Navigation Lights
• Underwater LED Lights (2)
• 2000 GPH Auto/Manual Bilge Pump Aft
• 1000 GPH Auto/Manual Bilge Pump Midship
• Waterproof Electrical Connectors & Tin-Plated Copper Wiring
• House/Engine Battery System w/ On-Off Switches (3), Battery Isolator & Console Parallel Switch
• Fusion Stereo Package w/ USB-Aux Port, Bluetooth & JL Audio 7.7″ Speakers (4)
• Heavy-Duty Marine Grade UV Resistant Vinyl Upholstery
• U-Shaped Bow Lounge w/ Backrest Bolster Cushions
• Bow Filler w/ Cushions and Table Leg
• Fiberglass Leaning Post w/ Premium Cooler, Premium Fiberglass Back Flip Bolster Adjustable Seats w/ Armrests, Stainless Steel Sink, Cutting Board & Storage Box
• Forward Console Seat w/ Backrest
• Folding Stern Seat
• Console Tip-Out Storage Bin
• Insulated 120QT In-Floor Fishboxes w/ Pumpout (2)
• 28 Gallon Transom Baitwell
• Under Gunwale Storage
• Insulated Bow Storage Locker/Cooler
• Insulated Bow Storage/Fishbox w/ Overboard Drain
• Line/Fender Gunwale Storage Boxes Port & Starboard
• Integrated Forward Seating Backrests with Cup Holders and Storage
• 19-Gallon Capacity Fresh Water Tank
• Bow Anchor Locker w/ Overboard Drain
• Electric Anchor Windlass w/ 200′ Rode-15′ Chain
• SS Anchor Roller w/ 8″ SS Cleat & Anchor Retainer
• Stainless Steel 22LB Anchor w/ Swivel

Yamaha Twin F200 Four Stroke w/ Command Link Plus Electronic Controls, Digital 6YC Multi-function Engine Display, Stainless Steel Props, Fuel/Water Separators (2), Group 29 Battery & Tray (3)

Optional Features

Hullside Color Dark w/ White Bottom

• COLORS: Midnight Blue, Stars & Stripes Blue, St. Barth’s Blue

Hullside Color Light w/ White Bottom

• COLORS: Pewter, Ice Blue, Sea Foam Green
• 18′ Taco Silver Crank-up Outriggers for Hardtop
• 3-Sided Enclosure, Color choice: Toast (default), Platinum, Medium Blue, Navy Blue, Black
• Console/Helm Seat Covers

Yamaha Twin F250 Four Stroke  w/ Command Link Plus Electronic Controls, Digital 6YC Multi-function Engine Display, Stainless Steel Props, Fuel/Water Separators (2), Group 29 Battery & Tray (3)

• Garmin 8612 GPS with B75M Transducer, VHF 215 & Remote Mic
• Garmin Dual 8612 GPS with B75M Transducer, VHF 215 & Remote Mic
• Garmin XM Satellite Weather Module
• Garmin Fantom 24″ Dome Radar
• Garmin Fantom 54″ Open Array Radar
• Fiberglass Leaning Post w/ Premium Cooler, Premium Fiberglass Back w/ Flip Bolster Adjustable Seats w/ Armrests, Electric Grill, Cutting Board & Storage Box
• Battery Charger Package w/ 115V Power Inlet (3 Bank)
• Recessed Ski Pylon
• Transom Mount Rod Holders (4)

Sunsets Wanted

The 262CC delivers all the goods for those golden hour rides accompanied by plush seating and ample, walkaround room.

Built Like a Bull

With a wide beam and a bulky construction, this center console keeps all aboard dry, comfortable, and safe.

A Family Affair

This 26-footer has full range to boat in comfort — inshore or offshore. Adventures unlimited with the whole family.

Performance

Yamaha f200txr.

Yamaha Twin F250’s

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26 HCO hybrid boat

• Specifications
• Features & Options
• Find a Dealer

CREVALLE 26 HCO: Bigger is Better

You want a bigger boat?

The Crevalle 26 HCO takes everything you love about the Crevalle 24 HCO and adds more room, features and power. Invite a few more friends, go a little further and enjoy the ride on a Crevalle 26-foot bay boat. 

The Crevalle 26 HCO is ideal for fisherman who want the flexibility of a family boat.  This 26 foot center console boat  performs flawlessly whether it’s on the river, lake, inshore or offshore fishing trips.

See the Specifications for all the details, and visit the Build Your Crevalle page to customize the hybrid bay boat of your dreams.

specifications crevalle 26 HCO

Videos 26 HCO

Gallery 26 HCO

Color options.

stormcloud grey

Kingston grey

Seafoam Green

Stars & Stripes

volcanic black

Gel coat color samples above are to provide a likeness of the color option. Computer monitors and printers may provide slight variations to the actual gel color.

features & options 26 HCO

Standard hull & deck features, standard on our hull & deck.

• All composite no wood construction
• Epoxy coated fuel tanks
• “CRIMP” – Crevalle Resin Infusion Manufacturing Process
• 10 year transferable hull warranty
• “Razor” LED spotlight/strip light on the hardtop
• Custom forward deck cushion package features easily removable/reversible molded backrest
• Tilt helm with a custom stainless steel steering wheel
• Black or white rub rail with stainless steel insert
• Composite transom
• Dedicated anchor locker
• Position control hinges on all hatches
• Fiberglass hatches finished on both sides
• NMMA certified using ABYC standards
• Self bailing cockpit
• Forged stainless steel thru hulls with duckbill valves & ball valves
• Portside swim platform with a telescoping stainless steel ladder
• Standard 6” engine jackplate combined with notched transom allows our boats to leap on plane in shallow water (jackplate all the way up) with no propeller cavitation.
• “Marelon” seacocks (composite material, no corrosion or electrolysis)
• Anti-Venturi thru-hull fittings (Allows pumps to operate at speed)
• Hidden deck drains with stainless covers and duckbill valves
• Welded one-piece stern eyes
• Deep cockpit for a safe dry ride
• Yacht Grip, non-skid deck
• Setback transom provides full aft deck
• Under gunwale rod storage for (3) 8′ rods each side
• Forward lockable rod storage with room for (10) 7′-6″ rods or 5 rods starboard side and  an insulated portside fishbox
• 40″ wide flip-up aft seat on centerline for safety
• Bow dry storage
• Two removable coolers
• (6) Custom “Crevalle” pull-up cleats
• (8) Stainless steel cup holders 
• Port and starboard in-gunwale safety gear storage
• Dual 12″ multifunction displays (Garmin or Simrad)
• In-floor storage for a 5 gallon bucket
• Custom fiberglass leaning post with backrest, rigging tray, tackle storage (2 trays), sink, forward glove boxes (3), removable cooler, cup holders & rod holders (4)
• MY 2024 fiberglass hardtop with a powder coated aluminum “D” tube frame, three sided embedded glass, LED (white/blue) overhead lights, mister system, speakers (2) & rod holders (4) 
• Unobstructed aft fishing deck
• Pre wired 8 AWG wiring for trolling motor
• Trolling motor plug panel
• Custom flat bar grab rails molded into the deck
• Freshwater transom shower
• Fuel water separator
• “JL” stereo system
• Standard automatic/manual bilge pump & high water bilge pump
• Battery charger (2 bank) – engine and house batteries
• Battery charger (3 bank) – trolling motor batteries
• Underwater lighting 
• Coaming pads
• Trim tabs – “Dometic” with LED indicator
• Illuminated mechanical/bilge area 

3 Live Wells

Aft release wells (2).

• Insulated 28 gallon aft bait/release wells
• Venturi aeration bubbler
• Dual livewell jets
• Protected overflow standpipe
• Commercial aquarium type aeration
• Light blue colored livewell gelcoat
• Dual port 800 gph, aeration pumps
• LED lighting
• Intake plumbing that prevents water levels from dropping  at speed.
• Wide opening for cast net use

Forward Bait Well

• Insulated 12 gallon forward baitwell
• Adjustable aeration jet can be closed to convert bait well into fully insulated cooler
• Side mounted overflow fitting with removable filter dome means no standpipe to get in the way of netting bait
• Gasketed live well lids 

All Wells Feature:

• 800 gph, dual port aeration pumps
• “Marelon” seacocks for safety and easy in water pump service

Optional Engines & trolling motors

Optional engines & rigging.

• Engine & house batteries with engine package

Optional Trolling Motors

• MinnKota RipTide ST Terrova 112/ iPilot 36 volt with removable bracket, 60″ & 72″
• Minnkota RipTide ST Ulterra 112/iPilot 36 volt auto deploy with removable bracket, 60″ & 72″
• Note: all factory rigged trolling motors come with a quick disconnect bracket and a battery tender trolling motor plug

Standard Helm & technical features

Standard on our helm.

• Dual 12″ multifunction Garmin or Simrad displays
• Black box VHF radio
• Digital “C-Zone” switching
• Tilt helm with a deluxe stainless steering wheel with power knob
• Integrated, dual height, nonskid foot rests
• Welded 316 stainless steel console grab rail
• Wireless phone charger
• Stainless steel horn
• Engine data on the multifunction displays (no gauges)
• Portside helm door
• Individual circuit breakers
• LED lighting inside storage
• Upgraded “JL” stereo/speakers’ system with digital amp
• Integrated engine data on electronics options
• Synthetic flooring for helm footrest and helm pad

Standard on Our Upholstery

• High grade “Sileather” upholstery with contoured cushions and seating featuring multi-density foam.

Technical Standards

• Tinned copper wiring
• LED cockpit lighting throughout
• Deutsch water resistant plugs on harnesses
• Sealed buss bars
• Heat shrink electrical terminals
• Circuit breakers (not fuses)
• 8 AWG trolling motor harness
• “Aegis” automatic battery switch on the helm
• LED navigation lights in the stainless steel rubrail insert
• Deluxe battery hold down trays

Optional Hull & Deck Equipment

• Swim platform starboard side (no telescoping ladder)
• Hull sides color
• Hull bottom color
• Gelcoat colored underside of the hardtop and helm face
• Mooring cover
• Casting chair kit (1) fore and (1) aft base, (1) pedestal, (1) seat
• Porta-potti
• Full second station – Power sliding “Webasto” pass thru with full second station controls, trim tab control, jackplate switch, space for a 7″ flush mount display, upper seat, flip up bolster, rod holders, tackle storage and cup holders

Optional Mechanical/Electrical

• Power Pole – single or dual, 8′ blade, black or white
• Power Pole – single or dual, 10’ blade, black or white
• Garmin or Simrad 24″ radome radar

*Standards and options are subject to change at any time at the discretion of the manufacturer.

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Privacy Overview

Folly Beach Tiki Boat

Specifications

Ratings & reviews, boat location.

• Response rate: N/A
• Avg. response time: N/A

Things to know

Allowed on boat, cancellation policy flexible.

• Free cancellations until 24 hours before the booking start time.
• Cancellations within 24 hours of the booking start time are non-refundable.

Commercial owner

This boat belongs to a Commercial Owner, an independent boat rental company. A Commercial Owner is an independent, Boatsetter-approved boat rental company who provides their own insurance to their guests.

Security deposit

A security deposit hold (not a charge) will be placed on your credit card 48 hours before your booking starts to cover any incidental damage that may occur during your rental. This hold is released 48 hours after the booking is complete, if no claims are made. The security deposit amount for the boat you are booking will be outlined during the check-out process.

Captain info

If requested, the owner can provide a list of available captains for bareboat charter or the renter can use their own qualified captain. If the boat is being time chartered, the owner will provide the Captain.

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GRANDE 26M is a 26.09 m Motor Yacht, built in Italy by Azimut and delivered in 2024. She is one of 28 Grande 26M models.

Her top speed is 28.0 kn and her cruising speed is 24.0 kn and her power comes from two MAN diesel engines. She can accommodate up to 10 guests in 5 staterooms, with 3 crew members waiting on their every need. She has a gross tonnage of 130.0 GT and a 6.33 m beam.

She was designed by Alberto Mancini , who has designed 117 other superyachts in the BOAT Pro database.

The naval architecture was developed by Azimut , who has architected 659 other superyachts in the BOAT Pro database, and the interior of the yacht was designed by Salvagni Architetti , who has 310 other superyacht interiors designed in the BOAT Pro database - she is built with a Teak deck, a GRP hull, and Carbon Fibre superstructure.

GRANDE 26M is in the top 30% by speed in the world. She is one of 5877 motor yachts in the 24-30m size range, and, compared to similarly sized motor yachts, her cruising speed is 1.81 kn above the average, her top speed 1.5 kn above the average, and her volume 17.6 GT above the average.

Specifications

• Name: GRANDE 26M
• Yacht Type: Motor Yacht
• Yacht Subtype: Planing Fast Yacht
• Model: Grande 26M
• Builder: Azimut
• Naval Architect: Azimut
• Exterior Designer: Alberto Mancini
• Interior Designer: Salvagni Architetti

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Boat Test: 2024 Hurricane SunDeck 2600 OB

• By Alan Jones
• August 30, 2024

The Hurricane SunDeck 2600 OB features a symmetrical layout with twin reversible-­back stern lounges. Flipped forward, the backrests allow those facing aft to lounge and watch swimmers or enjoy the sunset. Flip them aft, and the more-upright backrest position proves ideal for those who want to face forward.

Interior and Accessories

Up front, the bowrider seats offer the perfect amount of recline. We liked the playpen option that fills the bow with cushions.

Because there’s a sterndrive version of this boat, the outboard iteration nets a massive 2-foot-deep compartment from the empty engine space. In addition to underseat storage, a roomy head compartment with a freshwater sink is also ideal for storing large items, if the toilet won’t be used.

We tested the SD 2600 in Havasu City, Arizona, under a blazing sun. Yet, we kept cool, thanks to the optional wakeboard tower ($19,028) with its expansive, black mesh-fabric top. The top is power-actuated, rated to 55 mph, and remains level when lowered to limbo under low bridges.

The helm on our test SD 2600 featured dual ­Simrad NSX 3007 GPS displays ($3,473), along with the controller for the standard Fusion six-speaker stereo system, which can be upgraded to a dual-amp system with two additional stern speakers and remote as well as a subwoofer ($556). A premium JL Audio system is also available. The helm seats have standard electric cup-holder coolers. Other notable standards? A stern shower and wireless phone charging stations.

Our test boat was powered with a Honda 350 hp outboard . The smooth-running new V-8 from Honda displayed its engine data through the ­Simrad display while we recorded its speeds.

The Honda 350 outboard proved smooth in cornering and held its power and bite in turns. 

Deck boats usually can’t boast of seakeeping ability, but the SunDeck 2600 OB sports a 19-degree deep-V hull, which helps it slice through the chop. At cruise speeds, the robust hull rides slightly bow-up at 3 to 4 degrees of running angle, and although Lake Havasu was pondlike on test day, its design inspires confidence for big-water cruising.

How We Tested

• Engine: Single Honda 350 hp V-8
• Drive/Props: Solas 16″ x 18″ 3-blade stainless steel
• Gear Ratio: 1.79:1 Fuel Load: 54 gal. Water on Board: 0 gal. Crew Weight: 750 lb.

High Points

• The large head compartment with a freshwater sink is a huge plus for ­families with kids. 
• The SD 2600 now has a windlass option ($4,494). 
• The base boat is well-equipped with a six-speaker Fusion stereo and a Bimini top. Eight hull-color options are available ($695).
• The Oasis Cognac vinyl-seat option can get hot.
• The rear-facing stern seats can’t be used when cruising.
• The swim platform is small compared with the one on the sterndrive version.

Toughest Competitor

The slightly longer Sea Ray SDX 250 is the smallest in its deck-boat line. It also has reversible stern seating, a slightly larger swim platform, and a heavier, deeper-V hull with 21 degrees of deadrise. Its maximum available Mercury-only power is a 300 hp V-8 Verado, which pushes its price to $138,070.

Pricing and Specs

Speed, Efficiency, Operation

Hurricane Boats – Elkhart, Indiana; hurricaneboats.com

• More: 20-30ft , 2024 , boat tests , Boats , hurricane , October 2024 , outboards , Runabouts

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