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Capo 26
Designer: Carl Schumacher  ·  Builder: Westerly Marine (Usa)  ·  First built: 1982
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About the Capo 26

Designed by Carl Schumacher and built by Westerly Marine USA beginning in 1982, this rare 26-footer represents the acclaimed designer's approach to compact performance sailing. With only 15 hulls produced, the Capo 26 stands as a boutique design that prioritizes sailing ability over accommodation volume. Schumacher's signature characteristics shine through in the boat's proportions and configuration. The fin keel with spade rudder arrangement delivers responsive handling, while the masthead sloop rig provides excellent upwind performance. At 4,300 pounds displacement with 1,900 pounds of ballast, the design achieves a favorable stability-to-weight ratio that translates to spirited sailing in moderate conditions. The boat's SA/Displacement ratio of 20.08 indicates strong light-air performance, making it well-suited for coastal sailing and club racing where conditions vary. However, the relatively low Comfort ratio of 14.79 suggests this is primarily a day sailor or weekend coastal cruiser rather than an extended cruising platform. The Capsize screening formula of 2.28 falls within acceptable parameters for near-shore sailing. Given Schumacher's reputation for creating fast, well-balanced designs, the Capo 26 likely appeals to sailors seeking performance-oriented sailing in a compact, manageable package ideal for experienced sailors who prioritize sailing qualities over creature comforts.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 26.00 ft / 7.92 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 22.00 ft / 6.71 m
Beam 9.25 ft / 2.82 m
Max Draft 4.58 ft / 1.40 m
Displacement 4,300.00 lb / 1,950 kg
Ballast 1,900.00 lb / 862 kg
Ballast Type Lead
Sail Area (Reported) 331.00 ft² / 30.75 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Carl Schumacher
Builder Westerly Marine (USA)
First Built 1982
Number Built 15
Related Sailboats ["Impulse 26" · "Capri 26 Catalina" · "First 265 Beneteau" · "Sovereign 26" · "Raven 26"]
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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
 159
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
 20.08
Ballast/Displacement Ballast to Displacement ratio shows what percentage of the boat's total weight is ballast. Higher values generally mean better initial stability and stiffer sail carrying.
30–35% — Typical cruiser35–45% — Stiff performance boatOver 45% — Racing oriented
 44.19
Displacement/Length Displacement to Length ratio measures how heavy a boat is relative to its waterline length. Lower values mean a lighter, faster boat.
Under 100 — Ultralight racer100–200 — Light cruiser/racer200–300 — Moderate cruiser300–400 — Heavy cruiserOver 400 — Very heavy
 180.28
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
 14.79
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
 2.28
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. 6.29 kn
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
 3.33
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. 727.13 pounds/inch
SA/Displacement (Calc) Calculated Sail Area to Displacement ratio using actual measured sail dimensions rather than reported values. More precise than the reported SA/Disp figure. 20.08
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 34.86 ft / 10.63 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 10.56 ft / 3.22 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 29.36 ft / 8.95 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 10.00 ft / 3.05 m
SA Fore 184.06 ft² / 17.10 m²
SA Main 146.80 ft² / 13.64 m²
SA Total (100%) 330.86 ft² / 30.74 m²
Est. Forestay Length 36.42 ft / 11.10 m
How It Compares

vs. Capri 26 Catalina, First 265 Beneteau, Sovereign 26

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Capo 26 ★
26.0 ft
Capri 26 Catalina
26.0 ft
First 265 Beneteau
26.0 ft
Sovereign 26
26.0 ft
LWL
Capo 26 ★
22.0 ft
Capri 26 Catalina
22.5 ft
First 265 Beneteau
24.2 ft
Sovereign 26
23.0 ft
Beam
Capo 26 ★
9.3 ft
Capri 26 Catalina
9.1 ft
First 265 Beneteau
9.4 ft
Sovereign 26
8.0 ft
Displacement
Capo 26 ★
4 lbs
Capri 26 Catalina
4 lbs
First 265 Beneteau
4 lbs
Sovereign 26
3 lbs
Ballast
Capo 26 ★
1 lbs
Capri 26 Catalina
1 lbs
First 265 Beneteau
1 lbs
Sovereign 26
1 lbs
Sail Area
Capo 26 ★
331 sq ft
Capri 26 Catalina
268 sq ft
First 265 Beneteau
323 sq ft
Sovereign 26
—
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Capo 26 ★
159 s/nm
Capri 26 Catalina
213 s/nm
First 265 Beneteau
—
Sovereign 26
—
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Capo 26 ★
20.1
Capri 26 Catalina
16.0
First 265 Beneteau
18.2
Sovereign 26
—
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Capo 26 ★
44.2 %
Capri 26 Catalina
37.5 %
First 265 Beneteau
29.8 %
Sovereign 26
31.3 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Capo 26 ★
14.8
Capri 26 Catalina
15.2
First 265 Beneteau
15.1
Sovereign 26
—
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Capo 26 ★
2.28
Capri 26 Catalina
2.22
First 265 Beneteau
2.24
Sovereign 26
—
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Capo 26 ★
180
Capri 26 Catalina
172
First 265 Beneteau
151
Sovereign 26
117
Hull Speed
Capo 26 ★
6.3 kts
Capri 26 Catalina
6.4 kts
First 265 Beneteau
6.6 kts
Sovereign 26
—
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Capo 26 ★
3.3
Capri 26 Catalina
—
First 265 Beneteau
3.5
Sovereign 26
—
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