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Cape Dory 26

Designer: Carl Alberg  ·  Builder: Cape Dory Yachts  ·  First built: 1984
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About the Cape Dory 26

Built during Cape Dory's golden era of traditional sailboat construction, this 26-footer exemplifies the builder's commitment to sturdy, seaworthy designs that prioritize safety and comfort over racing performance. Cape Dory earned a stellar reputation among cruising sailors for producing boats that could handle challenging conditions while remaining manageable for smaller crews. This model follows Cape Dory's design philosophy of moderate displacement hulls with generous beam and comfortable accommodations. The boat features the builder's characteristic solid fiberglass construction and attention to detail that made the Cape Dory name synonymous with quality in the cruising community. Her traditional lines and well-balanced sail plan create a forgiving sailing experience that appeals to both novice and experienced sailors. Primarily suited for coastal cruising and weekend adventures, the Cape Dory 26 offers the perfect balance of size and capability for exploring protected waters and making short offshore passages. Her reputation for seaworthiness exceeds what many would expect from a 26-foot boat, making her an excellent choice for sailors seeking a reliable, well-built vessel that won't break the budget while delivering authentic sailing satisfaction.

Market Price Estimate Beta
$7,500 – $18,500
typical asking price
Median $10,500  ·  6 listings used
All listings
$7,500 – $18,500 6
Rate a listing price
$
About this estimate
  • Prices are based on recent asking prices from public listings — not actual sale prices, which are typically lower.
  • Condition is not factored in. A well-maintained boat with new sails and engine can be worth significantly more than a project boat of the same model.
  • Location affects price. Boats in landlocked states or areas with fewer buyers often sell for less than those on the coast.
  • Year of manufacture is not filtered. Older examples of this model will generally be priced lower than newer ones.
  • Included equipment varies widely. A boat with a full suite of electronics, dodger, and new standing rigging may command a large premium.
  • Outliers are automatically excluded using statistical filtering to improve accuracy, but some bad data may remain.
Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 25.92 ft / 7.90 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 19.25 ft / 5.87 m
Beam 8.00 ft / 2.44 m
Max Draft 3.58 ft / 1.09 m
Displacement 5,300.00 lb / 2,404 kg
Ballast 2,400.00 lb / 1,089 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 304.00 ft² / 28.24 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Long Keel
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Carl Alberg
Builder Cape Dory Yachts
First Built 1984
Last Built 1986
Owner Reviews

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Performance Ratios
PHRF Rating PHRF (Performance Handicap Racing Fleet) is a national racing handicap measured in seconds per nautical mile. Lower values indicate faster boats. Ratings are sourced from US Sailing's national database (median across 60+ regional fleets).
Under 0 — Ultralight racer0–90 — Performance racer90–150 — Cruiser/racer150–210 — Typical cruiserOver 210 — Heavy/slow cruiser
237
SA/Displacement Sail Area to Displacement ratio measures how much sail power a boat has relative to its weight. Higher values mean more performance and speed.
Under 14 — Heavy cruiser, slow14–18 — Cruising sailboat18–22 — Cruiser/racerOver 22 — Performance racer
16.05
Comfort Ratio Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio predicts how comfortable a boat will feel in offshore conditions. Higher values mean a steadier, more comfortable motion in a seaway.
Under 20 — Uncomfortably rough20–30 — Acceptable coastal30–40 — Good offshore comfortOver 40 — Very comfortable offshore
24.15
Capsize Screening Formula The USHS Capsize Screening Formula estimates offshore capsize risk. Lower is safer — values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing.
Under 2.0 — Safe for offshore2.0–2.2 — Borderline offshoreOver 2.2 — Coastal use recommended
1.84
Hull Speed Hull Speed is the theoretical maximum speed of a displacement hull, calculated from waterline length. Most cruising sailboats reach this speed in moderate conditions. 5.88
S# (Speed Number) The Speed Number (S#) is a quick performance index. Higher values indicate a faster, more powerful design relative to its size.
Under 3.0 — Slow cruiser3.0–5.0 — Average cruiser5.0–7.0 — Performance cruiserOver 7.0 — Racer
1.45
Pounds/Inch Immersion Pounds per Inch Immersion (PPI) tells you how much weight is needed to sink the boat one inch. Useful for calculating how additional gear and stores affect waterline. 550.26
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 32.0
J (Foretriangle Base) 10.25
P (Mainsail Luff) 27.25
E (Mainsail Foot) 10.25
SA Fore 164.0
SA Main 139.66
How It Compares

vs. Albin 79, Bristol 26, Capri 26 Catalina, Chrysler 26, Yankee 26

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Cape Dory 26 ★
25.9 ft
Albin 79
25.9 ft
Bristol 26
26.0 ft
Capri 26 Catalina
26.0 ft
Chrysler 26
26.0 ft
Yankee 26
26.0 ft
LWL
Cape Dory 26 ★
19.3 ft
Albin 79
20.0 ft
Bristol 26
21.8 ft
Capri 26 Catalina
22.5 ft
Chrysler 26
22.0 ft
Yankee 26
20.7 ft
Beam
Cape Dory 26 ★
8.0 ft
Albin 79
8.8 ft
Bristol 26
8.0 ft
Capri 26 Catalina
9.1 ft
Chrysler 26
8.0 ft
Yankee 26
8.7 ft
Displacement
Cape Dory 26 ★
5 lbs
Albin 79
4 lbs
Bristol 26
5 lbs
Capri 26 Catalina
4 lbs
Chrysler 26
5 lbs
Yankee 26
5 lbs
Ballast
Cape Dory 26 ★
2 lbs
Albin 79
1 lbs
Bristol 26
2 lbs
Capri 26 Catalina
1 lbs
Chrysler 26
1 lbs
Yankee 26
2 lbs
Sail Area
Cape Dory 26 ★
304 sq ft
Albin 79
Bristol 26
Capri 26 Catalina
268 sq ft
Chrysler 26
Yankee 26
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Cape Dory 26 ★
237 s/nm
Albin 79
Bristol 26
219 s/nm
Capri 26 Catalina
213 s/nm
Chrysler 26
228 s/nm
Yankee 26
228 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Cape Dory 26 ★
16.1
Albin 79
Bristol 26
Capri 26 Catalina
16.0
Chrysler 26
Yankee 26
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Cape Dory 26 ★
Albin 79
39.4 %
Bristol 26
42.1 %
Capri 26 Catalina
37.5 %
Chrysler 26
38.0 %
Yankee 26
40.3 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Cape Dory 26 ★
24.2
Albin 79
Bristol 26
Capri 26 Catalina
15.2
Chrysler 26
Yankee 26
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Cape Dory 26 ★
1.84
Albin 79
Bristol 26
Capri 26 Catalina
2.22
Chrysler 26
Yankee 26
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Cape Dory 26 ★
Albin 79
234
Bristol 26
244
Capri 26 Catalina
172
Chrysler 26
209
Yankee 26
269
Hull Speed
Cape Dory 26 ★
5.9 kts
Albin 79
Bristol 26
Capri 26 Catalina
6.4 kts
Chrysler 26
Yankee 26
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