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Sailmaster 26
Designer: William Tripp Jr.  ·  Builder: Werf Gusto  ·  First built: 1963
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About the Sailmaster 26

A compact and capable daysailer, the Sailmaster 26 represents the kind of accessible cruising sailboat that appeals to sailors looking for an entry point into coastal adventures without the complexity of a larger vessel. Designed with approachability in mind, this 26-foot sailboat suits weekend sailors and those exploring protected coastal waters, harbors, and inshore passages. While detailed specifications for the Sailmaster 26 are limited, boats of this size and class typically offer a manageable rig that rewards developing sailors while still providing enough performance to satisfy experienced hands. The proportions of a 26-foot hull lend themselves well to daysailing and short overnight passages, making this an appealing option for sailors who want simplicity and ease of handling without sacrificing the genuine sailing experience. For those researching a used market purchase, the Sailmaster 26 is worth inspecting closely for the standard considerations of an older production boat — hull integrity, rigging condition, and sail inventory. Its modest size makes it an economical choice to own and maintain, and its suitability for calm to moderate coastal conditions makes it a practical companion for recreational sailing.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 26.00 ft / 7.92 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 2.20 ft / 0.67 m
Displacement 4,000.00 lb / 1,814 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
First Built 1963
Last Built 1969
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
17.51
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
19.15
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
1.96
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
2.12
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
How It Compares

vs. Atalanta 26, Bristol 26, Commander 26 Pearson

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Sailmaster 26 ★
26.0 ft
Atalanta 26
26.0 ft
Bristol 26
26.0 ft
Commander 26 Pearson
26.0 ft
LWL
Sailmaster 26 ★
19.0 ft
Atalanta 26
24.0 ft
Bristol 26
21.8 ft
Commander 26 Pearson
18.5 ft
Beam
Sailmaster 26 ★
7.8 ft
Atalanta 26
7.8 ft
Bristol 26
8.0 ft
Commander 26 Pearson
8.0 ft
Displacement
Sailmaster 26 ★
4 lbs
Atalanta 26
4 lbs
Bristol 26
5 lbs
Commander 26 Pearson
5 lbs
Ballast
Sailmaster 26 ★
Atalanta 26
950 lbs
Bristol 26
2 lbs
Commander 26 Pearson
2 lbs
Sail Area
Sailmaster 26 ★
275 sq ft
Atalanta 26
Bristol 26
Commander 26 Pearson
311 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Sailmaster 26 ★
Atalanta 26
254 s/nm
Bristol 26
219 s/nm
Commander 26 Pearson
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Sailmaster 26 ★
17.5
Atalanta 26
Bristol 26
Commander 26 Pearson
16.2
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Sailmaster 26 ★
Atalanta 26
21.2 %
Bristol 26
42.1 %
Commander 26 Pearson
46.3 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Sailmaster 26 ★
19.2
Atalanta 26
Bristol 26
Commander 26 Pearson
25.2
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Sailmaster 26 ★
1.96
Atalanta 26
Bristol 26
Commander 26 Pearson
1.83
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Sailmaster 26 ★
Atalanta 26
144
Bristol 26
244
Commander 26 Pearson
380
Hull Speed
Sailmaster 26 ★
5.8 kts
Atalanta 26
Bristol 26
Commander 26 Pearson
5.8 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Sailmaster 26 ★
2.1
Atalanta 26
Bristol 26
Commander 26 Pearson
1.2
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