The Corby 26 is modestly canvassed and unhurried, 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.
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
SA / Displacement
12.9
Modestly canvassed — a comfortable, unhurried cruiser.
Ballast / Displacement
39.8%
Stiff enough to carry a big genoa comfortably into moderate breeze.
Displacement / Length
208
Moderate — a good balance of speed and load-carrying ability.
Comfort Ratio
19.9
Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.
Capsize Screening
1.93
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
SA/Disp (Calculated)
11.0
Computed from measured I/J/P/E rather than reported sail area.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
4lbs
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
19.9
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
1.93
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Under 2.0 — Acceptable for offshore
Over 2.0 — Coastal / protected waters
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Corby 26 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Heavy Cruiser 210–300
Impulse 26
135s/nm
Capri 26 Catalina
213s/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° |
2.2 |
2.8 |
3.1 |
3.3 |
| Close Reach60° |
2.7 |
3.4 |
3.8 |
3.9 |
| Beam Reach90° |
3.3 |
4.1 |
4.6 |
4.8 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
3.0 |
3.8 |
4.3 |
4.5 |
| Run150–180° |
2.4 |
3.1 |
3.4 |
3.6 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (6.3 kts),
SA/D (12.9), 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 Corby 26 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–8 kts
8–22 kts
22–30 kts
30+ kts
Ghosting
0–8 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
8–22 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
22–30 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
30+ 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 Corby 26.
|
Corby 26 |
Barchetta 27 |
Capri 26 Catalina |
Deltania 26 |
Gp 26 Orc |
Impulse 26 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
25.9 |
26.0 |
26.0 |
26.0 |
25.9 |
26.0 |
| LWL |
— |
24.7 |
22.5 |
— |
— |
21.6 |
| Beam |
8.2 |
7.9 |
9.1 |
9.4 |
8.5 |
8.4 |
| Displacement |
4 |
2 |
4 |
4 |
2 |
2 |
| Ballast |
1 |
331 |
1 |
1 |
992 |
1 |
| Sail Area |
— |
322 |
268 |
322 |
349 |
327 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
— |
— |
213 |
— |
— |
135 |
| SA/Disp |
12.9 |
31.6 |
16.0 |
18.7 |
33.0 |
26.7 |
| Bal/Disp |
39.8 |
15.8 |
37.5 |
23.8 |
45.0 |
— |
| Comfort |
19.9 |
8.2 |
15.2 |
— |
8.5 |
10.9 |
| Capsize |
1.93 |
2.49 |
2.22 |
2.25 |
2.60 |
2.41 |
| Hull Speed |
6.3 |
6.7 |
6.4 |
— |
6.3 |
6.2 |