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Excalibur 26
Designer: William Crealock  ·  Builder: Excalibur Marine/Wayfarer Yacht Corp.  ·  First built: 1967
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About the Excalibur 26

Designed as an affordable entry point into keelboat sailing, this compact cruiser emerged during the 1970s boom in fiberglass production sailboats. The Excalibur 26 represents the era's focus on creating accessible boats that could introduce new sailors to the joys of coastal cruising without breaking the bank. Built with a traditional fin keel and spade rudder configuration, the design prioritizes ease of handling over pure performance. The cockpit is sized appropriately for day sailing with family or friends, while the cabin provides basic overnight accommodations for weekend getaways. Her moderate proportions make her well-suited for protected waters, harbors, and coastal sailing in moderate conditions. While not intended for serious offshore passages, the Excalibur 26 excels as a learning platform and coastal day sailor. Her forgiving handling characteristics help build confidence in newer sailors, while still providing enough sailing pleasure to keep experienced crews engaged. The boat's straightforward systems and maintenance requirements align well with owners seeking an uncomplicated sailing experience. Today, these boats often serve as excellent first keelboats for sailors transitioning from dinghies or as affordable weekend cruisers for those prioritizing simplicity over luxury appointments.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 25.92 ft / 7.90 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 21.67 ft / 6.61 m
Beam 7.67 ft / 2.34 m
Max Draft 4.67 ft / 1.42 m
Displacement 3,770.00 lb / 1,710 kg
Ballast 1,605.00 lb / 728 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 302.00 ft² / 28.06 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer William Crealock
Builder Excalibur Marine/Wayfarer Yacht Corp.
First Built 1967
Owner Reviews

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Performance Ratios
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
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
16.83
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
1.97
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. 6.24
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
3.54
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. 593.88
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 30.02
J (Foretriangle Base) 10.29
P (Mainsail Luff) 26.08
E (Mainsail Foot) 11.33
SA Fore 154.45
SA Main 147.74
How It Compares

vs. Cape Dory 26, Chrysler 26, Yankee 26

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Excalibur 26 ★
25.9 ft
Cape Dory 26
25.9 ft
Chrysler 26
26.0 ft
Yankee 26
26.0 ft
LWL
Excalibur 26 ★
21.7 ft
Cape Dory 26
19.3 ft
Chrysler 26
22.0 ft
Yankee 26
20.7 ft
Beam
Excalibur 26 ★
7.7 ft
Cape Dory 26
8.0 ft
Chrysler 26
8.0 ft
Yankee 26
8.7 ft
Displacement
Excalibur 26 ★
3 lbs
Cape Dory 26
5 lbs
Chrysler 26
5 lbs
Yankee 26
5 lbs
Ballast
Excalibur 26 ★
1 lbs
Cape Dory 26
2 lbs
Chrysler 26
1 lbs
Yankee 26
2 lbs
Sail Area
Excalibur 26 ★
302 sq ft
Cape Dory 26
304 sq ft
Chrysler 26
Yankee 26
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Excalibur 26 ★
Cape Dory 26
237 s/nm
Chrysler 26
228 s/nm
Yankee 26
228 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Excalibur 26 ★
20.0
Cape Dory 26
16.1
Chrysler 26
Yankee 26
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Excalibur 26 ★
Cape Dory 26
Chrysler 26
38.0 %
Yankee 26
40.3 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Excalibur 26 ★
16.8
Cape Dory 26
24.2
Chrysler 26
Yankee 26
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Excalibur 26 ★
1.97
Cape Dory 26
1.84
Chrysler 26
Yankee 26
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Excalibur 26 ★
Cape Dory 26
Chrysler 26
209
Yankee 26
269
Hull Speed
Excalibur 26 ★
6.2 kts
Cape Dory 26
5.9 kts
Chrysler 26
Yankee 26
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Excalibur 26 ★
3.5
Cape Dory 26
1.5
Chrysler 26
Yankee 26
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