Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
6.2 kts
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 21.1′, the Puma 26 tops out around 6.2 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √21.1′ LWL = 6.2 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
PHRF Rating
248s/nm
Heavy or slow cruiser — all about the journey, not the elapsed time.
Ballast / Displacement
40.7%
Stiff enough to carry a big genoa comfortably into moderate breeze.
Displacement / Length
289
Moderate-heavy — carries provisions well, deliberate in light air.
Hull Speed
6.2kts
Pounds/Inch Immersion
4lbs
Weight needed to sink the hull one inch — loading sensitivity.
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Puma 26 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Tanzer 26
Trapper 300
Puma 26
Heavy or slow cruiser — all about the journey, not the elapsed time.
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Puma 26.
| Puma 26 | First 27 Beneteau | Marieholm 26 | Pearson 26 One Design | Tanzer 26 | Trapper 300 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||||||
| LOA | 26.3 | 26.2 | 26.3 | 26.2 | 26.3 | 26.3 |
| LWL | 21.1 | 21.8 | 20.2 | 21.7 | 22.5 | 20.6 |
| Beam | 9.2 | 9.8 | 7.2 | 8.7 | 8.7 | 8.0 |
| Displacement | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 |
| Ballast | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Sail Area | — | 306 | 291 | 321 | 282 | — |
| Performance | ||||||
| PHRF | 248 | — | — | — | 216 | 229 |
| SA/Disp | — | 16.2 | 15.0 | 17.2 | 17.0 | — |
| Bal/Disp | 40.7 | 36.0 | — | 42.3 | 44.8 | 43.1 |
| Comfort | — | 16.8 | 27.8 | 19.7 | 16.0 | — |
| Capsize | — | 2.26 | 1.64 | 2.00 | 2.13 | — |
| Hull Speed | — | 6.3 | 6.0 | 6.2 | 6.4 | — |