The Aloha 26 is well-powered with enough sail area to move in light air, with a quick, snappy motion best suited to day sailing.
Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 22.5′, the Aloha 26 tops out around 6.4 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √22.5′ LWL = 6.4 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
PHRF Rating
213s/nm
Heavy or slow cruiser — all about the journey, not the elapsed time.
SA / Displacement
19.0
Powerful cruiser/racer — quick in light air, reef early when it pipes up.
Displacement / Length
180
Moderate — a good balance of speed and load-carrying ability.
Comfort Ratio
15.1
Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.
Capsize Screening
2.27
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
757lbs
Weight needed to sink the hull one inch — loading sensitivity.
Motion & Offshore Suitability
Two ratios that matter most when you're planning passages — how the boat feels in a seaway, and whether the hull geometry is suitable for open ocean.
Comfort Ratio
15.1
Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
2.27
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Under 2.0 — Acceptable for offshore
Over 2.0 — Coastal / protected waters
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Aloha 26 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Heavy Cruiser 210–300
Niagara 26
188s/nm
Aloha 26
213s/nm
Heavy or slow cruiser — all about the journey, not the elapsed time.
Lancer 27 Ps
216s/nm
Tanzer 26
216s/nm
Hunter 27 2
218s/nm
Estimated Speed by Wind
Rough boat speed estimates at different true wind speeds and points of sail — derived from hull speed, SA/D, and displacement, not measured polars.
| Point of Sail |
6 kts TWS |
10 kts TWS |
15 kts TWS |
20 kts TWS |
| Close-hauled40–50° |
2.7 |
3.4 |
3.8 |
3.9 |
| Close Reach60° |
3.2 |
4.1 |
4.6 |
4.8 |
| Beam Reach90° |
4.0 |
5.0 |
5.6 |
6.1 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
3.7 |
4.6 |
5.2 |
5.6 |
| Run150–180° |
2.9 |
3.7 |
4.1 |
4.3 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (6.4 kts),
SA/D (19.0), and empirical efficiency curves — not instrument-measured
polars. Real-world speed varies with sea state, bottom condition, sail trim, and current.
Speeds in gold approach hull speed;
bold gold means near or at hull speed.
Wind Range & Comfort Envelope
Estimated wind ranges for comfortable sailing on the Aloha 26 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–6 kts
6–18 kts
18–26 kts
26+ kts
Ghosting
0–6 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
6–18 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
18–26 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
26+ kts
Storm conditions. Storm jib or bare poles. Seek shelter if coastal.
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Aloha 26.
|
Aloha 26 |
Cc 27 Mk V |
Hunter 27 2 |
Lancer 27 Ps |
Niagara 26 |
Tanzer 26 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
26.5 |
26.5 |
26.6 |
26.6 |
26.7 |
26.3 |
| LWL |
22.5 |
23.0 |
22.4 |
22.0 |
23.0 |
22.5 |
| Beam |
9.4 |
9.3 |
9.5 |
8.6 |
8.3 |
8.7 |
| Displacement |
4 |
4 |
5 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
| Ballast |
— |
1 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
| Sail Area |
327 |
342 |
280 |
310 |
316 |
282 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
213 |
— |
218 |
216 |
188 |
216 |
| SA/Disp |
19.0 |
20.4 |
15.3 |
18.0 |
20.1 |
17.0 |
| Bal/Disp |
— |
38.8 |
40.0 |
37.0 |
— |
44.8 |
| Comfort |
15.1 |
14.7 |
— |
17.4 |
15.2 |
16.0 |
| Capsize |
2.27 |
2.26 |
— |
2.07 |
2.10 |
2.13 |
| Hull Speed |
6.4 |
6.4 |
— |
6.3 |
6.4 |
6.4 |