The perfect 26 footer?

Have a look at the MG Spring 25 (as seen on howards way) Wing keel, sleeps six, 6' headroom proper heads and cabin with large cockpit. About 14k for an '88 boat. Quite nippy too.
 
How about a Jaguar 25? You can get them for usually under 10k, available with fin or bilge keel, inboard or outboard engine and standing headroom. Good in all weathers and perfect for two people.
I had a Jaguar 27 but thats a bigger than 8m.......
 
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I am surprised that nobody has mentioned a Vertue. After all they are perfection when it comes to small ocean yacht design and you can even get them in plastic.

[/ QUOTE ]Vertue is a great boat - but its priced on its name rather than any super fantastic quality.

I don't believe that there is anything inherently in the Vertue design that makes it any better than some of the other boats mentioned - except that it was used for ocean cruising and written about a lot.

I haven't seen a Vertue for under £22k for a while and I have NO IDEA how they sell at that price... mind you, I wouldn't spend £100k on a vintage car so it takes all sorts!
 
My two favourite 26ishes are the SuperSeal (which has a lifting board) and the Hustler 25.5 (fixed fin). Both sail like witches. Both well built (Parkers and Landamores).
 
I was a part of MG, and had my own Spring. Can't help but say that this was a huge amount of fun to sail (personal best 15.3Kts) but hardly the boat to cross an ocean (or even the Channel - upwind).

Always wanted to cut the coachroof off, fit a fin/bulb and see what it would really do.... Open 25 anybody?
 
I agree with you on the Hustler 25.5 but I am biased as I own one, damn fast for its size yet very forgiving and well built. but not many owners sell them!
 
Spent my formative years on 'Ostrea' - Bosham-based 25.5, and sailed her through very rough and smooth with nary a worry. Nay - total confidence.

SuperSeal, though, had a sail as part of a Yachting World 'shallow draft boats' review and it was even better to helm, but with the the lift keel it was still pretty stiff. At the time I was mid-twenties and the draft was not of any importance. Now, however, the lure of the Masterbuilders and Cowes has waned, and a night closer to the beach in Newtown Creek has a certain cachet. Also sailed a Sadler 26 and Westerly Griffon on the same occasion. Not even in the same ballpark.

Adding to the Hustler thought, though. If one saw an Oyster 26 cheapish, same boat really.
 
I can't comment on the boats mentioned however.
The overall length is not a good indication of size of boat.
You need to consider beam and overall weight. Both are very desirable ina blow but weight particularly gves a slower boat in light winds.
Many boats around here up to 26 ft were designed to be made in a lift keel trailer sailer form so have a beam less than 2.5 metres (8ft2) to be legal on the road. They are quite light and to be honest are only a 23fter or so with extensions. O/B powered.
On the other hand I know of Spacesailer 24 Cole 26 or Holland 25 to name 3 that I race against which are real ships with closer to 10ft beam weighing 3 tons or more with diesel inboard engine. I can beat them in my pip squeak light boat sometimes but I know which I would rather be in when in the ocean in a storm.
So my message is look at the boats for all dimensions not just length.
Finally a slow heavy boat suits some but not others. What do you want? You won't know until you have owned one or the other for a while. olewill
 
Agree that Contessa 26 are great boats - but read the whole thread!

1. The original poster said he couldn't take his wife on a Contessa 26 for a week's sailing!

2. They are famously 'wet' boats - as per my original post on the subject....

Anyway perhaps you might be biased? Not a bad thing to be proud of your boat though.
 
I very much agree, since I have one- but the cockpit is a bit small for four if racing -cruising probably OK if you don't mind playing 'musical chairs' when tacking.

If that strains the budget then the Sadler 25 would do just as well
 
Trapper.... I second that, I looked at many of the boats on this list when buying (Sadler, Contessa 26, Cobra 850 etc.) , and the Trapper (500 is cheaper than newer 501) seemed a better compromise .. seems to Sail well (look for past reviews), there are plenty about, and the internal accomodation is excellent. I've seen some very well kept examples. It kept coming on my list up as the best boat at that budget for your purpose. (I also sail out of Dublin with SWMBO, evening/weekends around the bay and a week or two at a time). Might be worth stretching the extra foot.

have a look at
http://homepage.hispeed.ch/bhny/Trappinit.html or do a search on the web. Trapper 300 I found to be a bit small.
 
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Cant see why 99% of the posts hear dident name one of the best boats ever made?

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Cos I was told to stay away earlier on! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

26ft boat that can take easily to the ground, hmm, 3 double berths, full heads, full sized galley, older ones to be found around the 15k mark.

nope, giz a clue?
 
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I wondered about the pegasus alright, anyone sailed on one?

[/ QUOTE ] I havent sailed on the Pegasus 800 but have sailed on the smaller Pegasus 700. It sailed extremely well and was very roomy for its size. The interior was a bit plasticky but cleverly designed.
 
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