Designed by renowned Australian naval architect Alan Payne and built by Horizon Yacht Marine starting in 1976, this 26-footer represents solid coastal cruising capabilities in a manageable package. Payne, famous for his America's Cup designs, brought his expertise to this more modest cruiser, creating a boat that balances comfort with sailing performance.
The masthead sloop configuration and moderate sail area make this an approachable boat for weekend sailors and coastal cruisers. With a comfortable ratio of 17.95, the design prioritizes stability and motion comfort over pure speed, while the capsize screening formula of 1.96 indicates good initial stability suitable for protected waters and coastal sailing.
The keel/centerboard hull configuration offers versatility often missing in pure keel boats, allowing access to shallow anchorages while maintaining the tracking and windward ability of a fixed keel design. At 4,400 pounds displacement with 1,400 pounds of ballast, the boat strikes a reasonable balance between stability and performance.
Built in fiberglass construction, these boats from the late 1970s represent the era when production sailboats were becoming more refined while remaining relatively simple. The design suits couples or small families seeking reliable coastal cruising with occasional overnight capabilities, rather than extended offshore passages.
Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall)
25.83 ft / 7.87 m
LWL (Waterline Length)
22.83 ft / 6.96 m
Beam
8.00 ft / 2.44 m
Max Draft
2.08 ft / 0.63 m
Displacement
4,400.00 lb / 1,996 kg
Ballast
1,400.00 lb / 635 kg
Sail Area (Reported)
280.00 ft² / 26.01 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type
Keel/Cbrd.
Rigging Type
Masthead Sloop
Construction
FG
Designer
Alan Payne
Builder
Horizon Yacht Marine (USA)
First Built
1976
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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
16.73
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.
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
165.08
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
17.95
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
1.96
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.
6.40 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
3.03
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.
652.59 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.
16.09
