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Niagara 26

Designer: George Hinterhoeller  ·  Builder: Hinterhoeller / Goman Boat/ Halman  ·  First built: 1975
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About the Niagara 26

Designed and built in Canada, the Niagara 26 comes from the well-regarded Niagara Yachts lineage, a manufacturer known for producing capable and well-finished cruising sailboats throughout the latter half of the twentieth century. This compact cruiser earned a reputation as a practical and approachable boat, making it a popular choice among sailors looking for an entry point into coastal and overnight cruising without sacrificing quality of construction or sea-keeping ability. The Niagara 26 is generally appreciated for its sturdy build and comfortable accommodations relative to its size, offering enough interior space for weekend adventures while remaining manageable for a small crew or even a capable singlehander. Its hull form lends itself well to daysailing and coastal passages, handling a variety of conditions with reasonable stability and predictable behavior. For buyers researching used boats in this size range, the Niagara 26 represents solid value, particularly given the reputation Niagara Yachts built for quality craftsmanship. Prospective owners should seek out well-maintained examples and pay close attention to the deck hardware, rigging, and keel attachment as part of any thorough survey.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 26.67 ft / 8.13 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 23.00 ft / 7.01 m
Beam 8.33 ft / 2.54 m
Max Draft 4.42 ft / 1.35 m
Displacement 4,000.00 lb / 1,814 kg
Ballast 1,700.00 lb / 771 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 316.00 ft² / 29.36 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/transom hung rudder
Rigging Type Fractional Sloop
Construction FG
Designer George Hinterhoeller
Builder Hinterhoeller / Goman Boat/ Halman
First Built 1975
Related Sailboats Tanzer 27 · Ericson 27 · Cal 2 27 · Hunter 27 2 · Islander 27
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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
 188
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
 20.12
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
 15.23
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
 2.1
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. 6.43
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
 3.86
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. 684.57
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 29.0
J (Foretriangle Base) 10.42
P (Mainsail Luff) 30.0
E (Mainsail Foot) 11.0
SA Fore 151.09
SA Main 165.0
How It Compares

vs. Cal 2 27, Ericson 27, Hunter 27 2, Islander 27, Tanzer 27

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Niagara 26 ★
26.7 ft
Cal 2 27
26.6 ft
Ericson 27
26.8 ft
Hunter 27 2
26.6 ft
Islander 27
26.6 ft
Tanzer 27
26.6 ft
LWL
Niagara 26 ★
23.0 ft
Cal 2 27
22.1 ft
Ericson 27
20.5 ft
Hunter 27 2
22.4 ft
Islander 27
20.0 ft
Tanzer 27
22.5 ft
Beam
Niagara 26 ★
8.3 ft
Cal 2 27
9.3 ft
Ericson 27
9.0 ft
Hunter 27 2
9.5 ft
Islander 27
8.0 ft
Tanzer 27
9.5 ft
Displacement
Niagara 26 ★
4 lbs
Cal 2 27
6 lbs
Ericson 27
6 lbs
Hunter 27 2
5 lbs
Islander 27
4 lbs
Tanzer 27
6 lbs
Ballast
Niagara 26 ★
1 lbs
Cal 2 27
3 lbs
Ericson 27
2 lbs
Hunter 27 2
2 lbs
Islander 27
1 lbs
Tanzer 27
2 lbs
Sail Area
Niagara 26 ★
316 sq ft
Cal 2 27
374 sq ft
Ericson 27
323 sq ft
Hunter 27 2
280 sq ft
Islander 27
325 sq ft
Tanzer 27
—
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Niagara 26 ★
188 s/nm
Cal 2 27
—
Ericson 27
207 s/nm
Hunter 27 2
218 s/nm
Islander 27
228 s/nm
Tanzer 27
216 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Niagara 26 ★
20.1
Cal 2 27
16.9
Ericson 27
14.7
Hunter 27 2
15.3
Islander 27
20.4
Tanzer 27
—
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Niagara 26 ★
—
Cal 2 27
—
Ericson 27
43.9 %
Hunter 27 2
40.0 %
Islander 27
41.5 %
Tanzer 27
36.3 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Niagara 26 ★
15.2
Cal 2 27
22.8
Ericson 27
24.4
Hunter 27 2
—
Islander 27
18.1
Tanzer 27
—
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Niagara 26 ★
2.10
Cal 2 27
1.97
Ericson 27
1.92
Hunter 27 2
—
Islander 27
2.00
Tanzer 27
—
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Niagara 26 ★
—
Cal 2 27
—
Ericson 27
342
Hunter 27 2
198
Islander 27
228
Tanzer 27
242
Hull Speed
Niagara 26 ★
6.4 kts
Cal 2 27
6.3 kts
Ericson 27
6.1 kts
Hunter 27 2
—
Islander 27
6.0 kts
Tanzer 27
—
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Niagara 26 ★
3.9
Cal 2 27
1.9
Ericson 27
1.3
Hunter 27 2
—
Islander 27
2.7
Tanzer 27
—
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