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Privateer 26
Designer: Thomas Gillmer  ·  Builder: Kenner Boat Company  ·  First built: 1966
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About the Privateer 26

Thomas Gillmer's Privateer 26 represents a classic approach to small-boat cruising from the golden age of fiberglass production sailboats. Built by Kenner Boat Company between 1966 and 1974, this traditional cutter-rigged design emphasizes seaworthiness over speed, making it an appealing choice for coastal cruising and short-handed sailing. The boat's long keel configuration and substantial displacement of 6,500 pounds create excellent directional stability and a forgiving motion in choppy conditions. With over half its weight in ballast, the Privateer 26 offers reassuring stability, while the cutter rig provides versatile sail handling options particularly valuable when sailing short-handed or in variable conditions. Gillmer's design philosophy emphasized sea-kindly characteristics over racing performance, evident in the boat's comfortable motion and predictable handling. The generous beam provides reasonable interior volume for weekend cruising, though accommodations remain modest by modern standards. The boat's capsize screening formula of 1.72 suggests good offshore stability, while the comfort ratio indicates a motion that favors comfort over speed. For sailors seeking a traditional, well-mannered coastal cruiser with proven seaworthiness, the Privateer 26 offers old-school sailing character increasingly rare in modern designs.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 31.75 ft / 9.68 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 20.92 ft / 6.38 m
Beam 8.00 ft / 2.44 m
Max Draft 3.42 ft / 1.04 m
Displacement 6,500.00 lb / 2,948 kg
Ballast 3,500.00 lb / 1,588 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 409.00 ft² / 38.00 m²
Headroom 6.08 ft / 1.85 m
Design & Construction
Hull Type Long Keel
Rigging Type Cutter
Construction FG
Designer Thomas Gillmer
Builder Kenner Boat Company
First Built 1966
Last Built 1974
Associations Privateer 26 Class Organization
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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
 18.85
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
 53.85
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
 316.94
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
 26.04
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
 1.72
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. 6.13 kn
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
 1.75
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. 598.00 pounds/inch
SA/Displacement (Calc) Calculated Sail Area to Displacement ratio using actual measured sail dimensions rather than reported values. More precise than the reported SA/Disp figure. 18.85
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 33.00 ft / 10.06 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 14.16 ft / 4.32 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 28.08 ft / 8.56 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 12.50 ft / 3.81 m
SA Fore 233.64 ft² / 21.71 m²
SA Main 175.50 ft² / 16.30 m²
SA Total (100%) 409.14 ft² / 38.01 m²
Est. Forestay Length 35.91 ft / 10.95 m
Engine & Accommodations
Engine Type Center mount outboard well
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