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Dawson 26
Designer: Robert Finch  ·  Builder: Dawson Yacht Corp.  ·  First built: 1973
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About the Dawson 26

With limited documentation available, the Dawson 26 represents one of those intriguing sailboats that has largely slipped under the radar of mainstream sailing publications. This 26-foot sailboat appears to have been produced in smaller numbers, making it a relatively uncommon sight in most harbors and marinas. Based on its size category, the Dawson 26 would typically fall into the pocket cruiser or coastal sailing segment, suitable for day sailing, weekend getaways, and protected water cruising. Boats of this length generally offer a good balance between manageable size for single-handed or small crew operation while providing enough space for basic overnight accommodations. The scarcity of detailed specifications suggests this model may have had a limited production run or was produced by a smaller boatyard without extensive marketing reach. For prospective buyers encountering a Dawson 26, thorough inspection becomes even more critical given the limited available information about construction methods, materials, and design characteristics. Potential owners should focus on evaluating the individual boat's condition, rigging setup, and overall maintenance history when considering this model, as community knowledge and parts availability may be more limited compared to mainstream production boats.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 25.58 ft / 7.80 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 22.17 ft / 6.76 m
Beam 8.00 ft / 2.44 m
Max Draft 5.33 ft / 1.62 m
Min Draft 1.67 ft / 0.51 m
Displacement 4,700.00 lb / 2,132 kg
Ballast 1,165.00 lb / 528 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 271.00 ft² / 25.18 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Keel/Cbrd.
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Robert Finch
Builder Dawson Yacht Corp.
First Built 1973
Last Built 1982
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
222
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
15.5
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
19.62
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
1.91
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. 6.31
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
2.6
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. 633.73
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 29.25
J (Foretriangle Base) 10.0
P (Mainsail Luff) 24.0
E (Mainsail Foot) 10.33
SA Fore 146.25
SA Main 123.96
How It Compares

vs. Balboa 26, Irwin 25, Oday 26

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Dawson 26 ★
25.6 ft
Balboa 26
25.6 ft
Irwin 25
25.4 ft
Oday 26
25.7 ft
LWL
Dawson 26 ★
22.2 ft
Balboa 26
20.8 ft
Irwin 25
20.5 ft
Oday 26
21.6 ft
Beam
Dawson 26 ★
8.0 ft
Balboa 26
8.0 ft
Irwin 25
8.0 ft
Oday 26
8.0 ft
Displacement
Dawson 26 ★
4 lbs
Balboa 26
3 lbs
Irwin 25
5 lbs
Oday 26
4 lbs
Ballast
Dawson 26 ★
1 lbs
Balboa 26
1 lbs
Irwin 25
2 lbs
Oday 26
1 lbs
Sail Area
Dawson 26 ★
271 sq ft
Balboa 26
306 sq ft
Irwin 25
315 sq ft
Oday 26
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Dawson 26 ★
222 s/nm
Balboa 26
219 s/nm
Irwin 25
207 s/nm
Oday 26
237 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Dawson 26 ★
15.5
Balboa 26
20.9
Irwin 25
16.4
Oday 26
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Dawson 26 ★
Balboa 26
33.3 %
Irwin 25
40.7 %
Oday 26
38.5 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Dawson 26 ★
19.6
Balboa 26
15.8
Irwin 25
23.8
Oday 26
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Dawson 26 ★
1.91
Balboa 26
2.08
Irwin 25
1.83
Oday 26
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Dawson 26 ★
Balboa 26
177
Irwin 25
279
Oday 26
213
Hull Speed
Dawson 26 ★
6.3 kts
Balboa 26
6.1 kts
Irwin 25
6.1 kts
Oday 26
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Dawson 26 ★
2.6
Balboa 26
3.4
Irwin 25
1.9
Oday 26
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