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Polaris 26 Tripp
Designer: William Tripp Jr.  ·  Builder: Werf Gusto /Seafarer Yachts  ·  First built: 1960
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About the Polaris 26 Tripp

Designed by William Tripp, the Polaris 26 is a compact sailboat that reflects Tripp's reputation for producing well-balanced, seaworthy designs. Tripp was a prolific and respected naval architect whose portfolio spanned everything from racing yachts to capable cruisers, and the Polaris 26 carries that heritage of thoughtful design into a manageable package suited to sailors looking for a practical and rewarding boat. Well-proportioned for its size, the Polaris 26 is generally considered a capable coastal cruiser, comfortable for daysailing and weekend adventures while offering enough stability and seakeeping ability to handle varied conditions. Its modest dimensions make it an accessible choice for new and intermediate sailors, as well as those seeking an affordable entry point into keelboat sailing without sacrificing the quality associated with the Tripp name. While detailed specifications are limited, boats of this era and lineage were typically built with an emphasis on balanced handling and durability. Prospective buyers would benefit from a thorough survey, as these boats may have considerable age and varying maintenance histories depending on the individual vessel.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 26.25 ft / 8.00 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 19.00 ft / 5.79 m
Beam 7.75 ft / 2.36 m
Max Draft 6.00 ft / 1.83 m
Min Draft 2.18 ft / 0.66 m
Displacement 4,750.00 lb / 2,155 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 275.00 ft² / 25.55 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Keel/Cbrd.
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer William Tripp Jr.
Builder Werf Gusto /Seafarer Yachts
First Built 1960
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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
15.62
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
22.66
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
1.85
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. 5.84
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
1.57
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. 526.14
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 28.1
J (Foretriangle Base) 9.3
P (Mainsail Luff) 24.0
E (Mainsail Foot) 12.0
SA Fore 130.67
SA Main 144.0
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