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Pegasus 800
Designer: Gordon V. Harris  ·  Builder: Rydgeway Marine Ltd. (Uk)  ·  First built: 1978
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About the Pegasus 800

Designed by Gordon V. Harris and built by Rydgeway Marine Ltd. in the UK starting in 1978, this 25.75-foot sailboat represents thoughtful British yacht design from the late 1970s era. The Pegasus 800's most distinctive feature is its lifting keel configuration, which combines the sailing performance benefits of a proper keel with the shallow-water access advantages of a centerboard design. With a displacement of 4,408 pounds and substantial ballast of 1,880 pounds, this masthead sloop offers reassuring stability for coastal cruising and light offshore passages. The lifting keel draws just 2.92 feet when deployed, making it ideal for exploring shallow anchorages, tidal waters, and trailer sailing applications where launching ramp depths might be limited. The boat's comfort ratio of 16.89 suggests a relatively stiff, quick motion that favors performance over ultimate comfort, while the capsize screening formula of 2.14 indicates reasonable stability for coastal and near-offshore sailing. The fiberglass construction and straightforward masthead sloop rig make for manageable maintenance requirements. This design appeals particularly to sailors seeking versatility – those who want the option to explore shoal waters without sacrificing sailing performance in deeper water, making it well-suited for coastal cruising and weekend adventures.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 25.75 ft / 7.85 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 21.00 ft / 6.40 m
Beam 8.75 ft / 2.67 m
Max Draft 2.92 ft / 0.89 m
Displacement 4,408.00 lb / 1,999 kg
Ballast 1,880.00 lb / 853 kg
Ballast Type Iron
Design & Construction
Hull Type Lifting Keel
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Gordon V. Harris
Builder Rydgeway Marine Ltd. (UK)
First Built 1978
Related Sailboats Sadler 26 · Etap 26 · Seafarer 26 · Mirage 26 Uk · Ericson 26 2
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Performance Ratios
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
42.65
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
212.49
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
16.89
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
2.14
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. 6.14 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. 656.56 pounds/inch
Engine & Accommodations
Engine Make Volvo
Engine Model MD5A
Engine Type Diesel
Fuel Capacity 10 gals / 38 L
Water Capacity 12 gals / 45 L
How It Compares

vs. Ericson 26 2, Etap 26, Mirage 26 Uk, Sadler 26, Seafarer 26

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Pegasus 800 ★
25.8 ft
Ericson 26 2
25.8 ft
Etap 26
25.8 ft
Mirage 26 Uk
25.8 ft
Sadler 26
25.8 ft
Seafarer 26
25.8 ft
LWL
Pegasus 800 ★
21.0 ft
Ericson 26 2
21.9 ft
Etap 26
21.7 ft
Mirage 26 Uk
20.2 ft
Sadler 26
20.5 ft
Seafarer 26
22.8 ft
Beam
Pegasus 800 ★
8.8 ft
Ericson 26 2
9.3 ft
Etap 26
9.0 ft
Mirage 26 Uk
9.0 ft
Sadler 26
9.4 ft
Seafarer 26
8.3 ft
Displacement
Pegasus 800 ★
4 lbs
Ericson 26 2
5 lbs
Etap 26
5 lbs
Mirage 26 Uk
5 lbs
Sadler 26
4 lbs
Seafarer 26
4 lbs
Ballast
Pegasus 800 ★
1 lbs
Ericson 26 2
2 lbs
Etap 26
1 lbs
Mirage 26 Uk
2 lbs
Sadler 26
2 lbs
Seafarer 26
1 lbs
Sail Area
Pegasus 800 ★
Ericson 26 2
326 sq ft
Etap 26
286 sq ft
Mirage 26 Uk
397 sq ft
Sadler 26
273 sq ft
Seafarer 26
270 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Pegasus 800 ★
Ericson 26 2
234 s/nm
Etap 26
Mirage 26 Uk
216 s/nm
Sadler 26
Seafarer 26
237 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Pegasus 800 ★
Ericson 26 2
17.3
Etap 26
15.5
Mirage 26 Uk
20.2
Sadler 26
15.4
Seafarer 26
15.7
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Pegasus 800 ★
42.7 %
Ericson 26 2
42.9 %
Etap 26
30.8 %
Mirage 26 Uk
Sadler 26
Seafarer 26
38.6 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Pegasus 800 ★
16.9
Ericson 26 2
18.2
Etap 26
18.3
Mirage 26 Uk
21.4
Sadler 26
16.9
Seafarer 26
18.1
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Pegasus 800 ★
2.14
Ericson 26 2
2.13
Etap 26
2.10
Mirage 26 Uk
2.02
Sadler 26
2.24
Seafarer 26
1.99
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Pegasus 800 ★
212
Ericson 26 2
222
Etap 26
223
Mirage 26 Uk
Sadler 26
Seafarer 26
174
Hull Speed
Pegasus 800 ★
6.1 kts
Ericson 26 2
6.3 kts
Etap 26
6.2 kts
Mirage 26 Uk
6.0 kts
Sadler 26
6.1 kts
Seafarer 26
6.4 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Pegasus 800 ★
Ericson 26 2
2.5
Etap 26
2.3
Mirage 26 Uk
Sadler 26
2.0
Seafarer 26
2.8
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