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Hughes 26
Designer: Sparkman & Stephens  ·  Builder: Hughes Boatworks Ltd.  ·  First built: 1976
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About the Hughes 26

With limited documentation available, the Hughes 26 represents one of the more elusive designs in the 26-foot sailboat category. This scarcity of information suggests either a small production run or a boat that didn't achieve widespread market penetration during its era. Despite the sparse historical record, the Hughes 26 appears to have been conceived as a coastal cruiser, fitting into the popular mid-1970s to early 1980s trend of affordable weekend sailboats. Like many boats of its size class, it would have been designed to balance reasonable accommodations below with manageable sailing characteristics for small crews or single-handed operation. The limited availability of specifications and owner reports makes evaluating this design challenging for prospective buyers. This rarity could appeal to sailors seeking an uncommon boat, though it also means finding parts, documentation, or experienced advice may prove difficult. Anyone considering a Hughes 26 should conduct thorough research into the specific boat's construction quality and condition, as individual examples may vary significantly. The boat's obscurity in sailing circles suggests it never developed the strong following or proven track record that characterizes more successful designs from the same period.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 26.00 ft / 7.92 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 20.25 ft / 6.17 m
Beam 9.00 ft / 2.74 m
Max Draft 4.00 ft / 1.22 m
Displacement 4,598.00 lb / 2,086 kg
Ballast 2,000.00 lb / 907 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 296.00 ft² / 27.50 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin with rudder on skeg
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Sparkman & Stephens
Builder Hughes Boatworks Ltd.
First Built 1976
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
231
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
17.18
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
17.32
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
2.17
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. 6.03
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
2.22
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. 651.2
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 31.0
J (Foretriangle Base) 11.0
P (Mainsail Luff) 26.5
E (Mainsail Foot) 9.5
SA Fore 170.5
SA Main 125.88
How It Compares

vs. Capri 26 Catalina, Chrysler 26 Fk, Pembroke 26 Westerly, S2 80 B, Yankee 26

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Hughes 26 ★
26.0 ft
Capri 26 Catalina
26.0 ft
Chrysler 26 Fk
26.0 ft
Pembroke 26 Westerly
26.0 ft
S2 80 B
26.0 ft
Yankee 26
26.0 ft
LWL
Hughes 26 ★
20.3 ft
Capri 26 Catalina
22.5 ft
Chrysler 26 Fk
22.0 ft
Pembroke 26 Westerly
21.3 ft
S2 80 B
21.4 ft
Yankee 26
20.7 ft
Beam
Hughes 26 ★
9.0 ft
Capri 26 Catalina
9.1 ft
Chrysler 26 Fk
8.0 ft
Pembroke 26 Westerly
8.3 ft
S2 80 B
8.0 ft
Yankee 26
8.7 ft
Displacement
Hughes 26 ★
4 lbs
Capri 26 Catalina
4 lbs
Chrysler 26 Fk
5 lbs
Pembroke 26 Westerly
6 lbs
S2 80 B
4 lbs
Yankee 26
5 lbs
Ballast
Hughes 26 ★
2 lbs
Capri 26 Catalina
1 lbs
Chrysler 26 Fk
2 lbs
Pembroke 26 Westerly
2 lbs
S2 80 B
1 lbs
Yankee 26
2 lbs
Sail Area
Hughes 26 ★
296 sq ft
Capri 26 Catalina
268 sq ft
Chrysler 26 Fk
257 sq ft
Pembroke 26 Westerly
210 sq ft
S2 80 B
282 sq ft
Yankee 26
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Hughes 26 ★
231 s/nm
Capri 26 Catalina
213 s/nm
Chrysler 26 Fk
Pembroke 26 Westerly
S2 80 B
Yankee 26
228 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Hughes 26 ★
17.2
Capri 26 Catalina
16.0
Chrysler 26 Fk
13.2
Pembroke 26 Westerly
9.6
S2 80 B
16.4
Yankee 26
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Hughes 26 ★
Capri 26 Catalina
37.5 %
Chrysler 26 Fk
43.6 %
Pembroke 26 Westerly
37.7 %
S2 80 B
Yankee 26
40.3 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Hughes 26 ★
17.3
Capri 26 Catalina
15.2
Chrysler 26 Fk
23.0
Pembroke 26 Westerly
26.6
S2 80 B
19.5
Yankee 26
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Hughes 26 ★
2.17
Capri 26 Catalina
2.22
Chrysler 26 Fk
1.82
Pembroke 26 Westerly
1.78
S2 80 B
1.93
Yankee 26
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Hughes 26 ★
Capri 26 Catalina
172
Chrysler 26 Fk
230
Pembroke 26 Westerly
302
S2 80 B
Yankee 26
269
Hull Speed
Hughes 26 ★
6.0 kts
Capri 26 Catalina
6.4 kts
Chrysler 26 Fk
6.3 kts
Pembroke 26 Westerly
6.2 kts
S2 80 B
6.2 kts
Yankee 26
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Hughes 26 ★
2.2
Capri 26 Catalina
Chrysler 26 Fk
1.6
Pembroke 26 Westerly
S2 80 B
2.6
Yankee 26
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