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Kells 26
Designer: Paul A. Lindh  ·  Builder: Kells Corp. (Usa)  ·  First built: 1973
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About the Kells 26

Designed by Paul A. Lindh and built by Kells Corp. starting in 1973, this 26-footer represents a solid entry into the world of coastal cruising and weekend sailing. With its masthead sloop rig and 276 square feet of sail area, the Kells 26 offers respectable performance for day sailing and short-term cruising adventures. The boat's construction features a fiberglass hull with a balsa-cored deck, providing good strength-to-weight characteristics while keeping displacement at a manageable 6,000 pounds. The fin keel design with transom-hung rudder delivers responsive handling, while the 2,200-pound ballast ratio ensures adequate stability for coastal waters. At 22.25 feet on the waterline with an 8.67-foot beam, the design strikes a practical balance between interior space and sailing performance. With a comfort ratio of 22.45 and capsize screening formula of 1.91, this boat is well-suited for protected waters and coastal cruising rather than offshore passages. The hull's theoretical maximum speed of 6.32 knots makes it ideal for relaxed sailing, while the moderate sail area to displacement ratio of 13.41 suggests predictable, manageable performance characteristics that appeal to both novice and experienced sailors seeking a straightforward cruising boat.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 25.58 ft / 7.80 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 22.25 ft / 6.78 m
Beam 8.67 ft / 2.64 m
Max Draft 3.58 ft / 1.09 m
Displacement 6,000.00 lb / 2,722 kg
Ballast 2,200.00 lb / 998 kg
Ballast Type Lead
Sail Area (Reported) 276.00 ft² / 25.64 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/transom hung rudder
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG w/balsa cored deck
Designer Paul A. Lindh
Builder Kells Corp. (USA)
First Built 1973
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
 13.41
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.
30–35% — Typical cruiser35–45% — Stiff performance boatOver 45% — Racing oriented
 36.67
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
 243.17
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
 22.45
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. 6.32 kn
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. 689.28 pounds/inch
Engine & Accommodations
Engine Make inboard opt.
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