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Sadler 26
Designer: David Sadler  ·  Builder: Sadler Yachts  ·  First built: 1981
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About the Sadler 26

Produced by the British boatbuilder Sadler Yachts during the 1970s and 1980s, the Sadler 26 earned a loyal following among coastal and weekend cruising sailors in the UK and beyond. Designed with practicality and seaworthiness in mind, this compact cruiser reflects the era's emphasis on building affordable, capable family boats that could handle the sometimes demanding conditions of British coastal waters. The Sadler 26 is generally regarded as a well-mannered and confidence-inspiring vessel, making it a popular choice for sailors stepping up to their first proper cruising yacht. Its hull design prioritises stability and ease of handling, allowing short-handed sailing without placing excessive demands on the crew. Below decks, the layout is typically efficient for its size, offering reasonable accommodation for weekend passages or extended coastal trips. For those researching a pre-owned purchase, the Sadler 26 represents a solid entry into bluewater-capable coastal cruising with a strong second-hand market presence in the UK. Its reputation for durability and the availability of a knowledgeable owner community make it an appealing option for budget-conscious sailors.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 25.75 ft / 7.85 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 20.50 ft / 6.25 m
Beam 9.42 ft / 2.87 m
Max Draft 4.67 ft / 1.42 m
Displacement 4,800.00 lb / 2,177 kg
Ballast 2,000.00 lb / 907 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 273.00 ft² / 25.36 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/transom hung rudder
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer David Sadler
Builder Sadler Yachts
First Built 1981
Owner Reviews

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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
15.39
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
16.94
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
2.24
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. 6.07
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
2.03
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. 690.0
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 31.0
J (Foretriangle Base) 10.4
P (Mainsail Luff) 26.31
E (Mainsail Foot) 8.5
SA Fore 161.2
SA Main 111.82
How It Compares

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

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