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Capri 26 Catalina
Designer: Frank Butler  ·  First built: 1986
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About the Capri 26 Catalina

Originally launched in the early 1970s, this compact cruiser emerged from Catalina Yachts' commitment to accessible recreational sailing. Built during an era when the company was establishing its reputation for quality production boats at reasonable prices, the Capri 26 represents classic American yacht design philosophy focused on comfort and ease of handling. With her moderate beam and traditional lines, this boat strikes an appealing balance between performance and practicality. The design emphasizes stability and predictable handling characteristics that make her particularly well-suited for weekend coastal cruising and day sailing adventures. Her size makes single-handed sailing manageable while still providing enough space for small crew coastal passages. The cockpit layout prioritizes comfort and safety, featuring well-positioned winches and controls that keep the sailing experience enjoyable rather than demanding. Below deck, the accommodation plan maximizes the available space efficiently, offering basic cruising amenities without unnecessary complexity. This model appeals to sailors seeking their first keelboat or those wanting a reliable, low-maintenance vessel for exploring protected waters and nearby coastlines. Her forgiving nature and solid construction have earned respect among sailing instructors and casual cruisers who value dependability over cutting-edge performance.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 26.00 ft / 7.92 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 22.50 ft / 6.86 m
Beam 9.08 ft / 2.77 m
Max Draft 3.75 ft / 1.14 m
Displacement 4,400 lb / 1,996 kg
Ballast 1,650 lb / 748 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 268 ft² / 24.90 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Frank Butler
First Built 1986
Last Built 2005
Number Built 1200
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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
213
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
15.95
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
37.5
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
172.45
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
15.19
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
2.22
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. 6.36 kn
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. 4.38 pounds/inch
How It Compares

vs. Bahama 26 Islander, Capo 26, Impulse 26

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Capri 26 Catalina ★
26.0 ft
Bahama 26 Islander
26.0 ft
Capo 26
26.0 ft
Impulse 26
26.0 ft
LWL
Capri 26 Catalina ★
22.5 ft
Bahama 26 Islander
21.7 ft
Capo 26
22.0 ft
Impulse 26
21.6 ft
Beam
Capri 26 Catalina ★
9.1 ft
Bahama 26 Islander
10.0 ft
Capo 26
9.3 ft
Impulse 26
8.4 ft
Displacement
Capri 26 Catalina ★
4 lbs
Bahama 26 Islander
5 lbs
Capo 26
4 lbs
Impulse 26
2 lbs
Ballast
Capri 26 Catalina ★
1 lbs
Bahama 26 Islander
1 lbs
Capo 26
1 lbs
Impulse 26
1 lbs
Sail Area
Capri 26 Catalina ★
268 sq ft
Bahama 26 Islander
Capo 26
331 sq ft
Impulse 26
327 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Capri 26 Catalina ★
213 s/nm
Bahama 26 Islander
Capo 26
159 s/nm
Impulse 26
135 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Capri 26 Catalina ★
16.0
Bahama 26 Islander
Capo 26
20.1
Impulse 26
26.7
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Capri 26 Catalina ★
37.5 %
Bahama 26 Islander
35.7 %
Capo 26
44.2 %
Impulse 26
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Capri 26 Catalina ★
15.2
Bahama 26 Islander
Capo 26
14.8
Impulse 26
10.9
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Capri 26 Catalina ★
2.22
Bahama 26 Islander
Capo 26
2.28
Impulse 26
2.41
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Capri 26 Catalina ★
172
Bahama 26 Islander
241
Capo 26
180
Impulse 26
Hull Speed
Capri 26 Catalina ★
6.4 kts
Bahama 26 Islander
Capo 26
6.3 kts
Impulse 26
6.2 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Capri 26 Catalina ★
Bahama 26 Islander
Capo 26
3.3
Impulse 26
5.2
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