The Oyster 26 is with a quick, snappy motion best suited to day sailing.
Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
6.4 kts
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 22.8′, the Oyster 26 tops out around 6.4 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √22.8′ LWL = 6.4 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
Ballast / Displacement
39.8%
Stiff enough to carry a big genoa comfortably into moderate breeze.
Displacement / Length
241
Moderate — a good balance of speed and load-carrying ability.
Comfort Ratio
19.7
Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.
Capsize Screening
2.13
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Hull Speed
6.4kts
Pounds/Inch Immersion
799lbs
Weight needed to sink the hull one inch — loading sensitivity.
Motion & Offshore Suitability
Two ratios that matter most when you're planning passages — how the boat feels in a seaway, and whether the hull geometry is suitable for open ocean.
Comfort Ratio
19.7
Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
2.13
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Under 2.0 — Acceptable for offshore
Over 2.0 — Coastal / protected waters
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Oyster 26 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Pearson 26
Trapper 300
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Oyster 26.
| Oyster 26 | First 27 Beneteau | Marieholm 26 | Pearson 26 | Pearson 26 Weekender | Trapper 300 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||||||
| LOA | 26.2 | 26.2 | 26.3 | 26.1 | 26.2 | 26.3 |
| LWL | 22.8 | 21.8 | 20.2 | 21.7 | 21.7 | 20.6 |
| Beam | 9.8 | 9.8 | 7.2 | 8.7 | 8.7 | 8.0 |
| Displacement | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 |
| Ballast | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Sail Area | — | 306 | 291 | 321 | 321 | — |
| Performance | ||||||
| PHRF | — | — | — | 213 | — | 229 |
| SA/Disp | — | 16.2 | 15.0 | 16.7 | 17.2 | — |
| Bal/Disp | 39.8 | 36.0 | — | 40.7 | 42.3 | 43.1 |
| Comfort | 19.7 | 16.8 | 27.8 | 20.4 | 19.7 | — |
| Capsize | 2.13 | 2.26 | 1.64 | 1.98 | 2.00 | — |
| Hull Speed | 6.4 | 6.3 | 6.0 | 6.2 | 6.2 | — |