Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
6.5 kts
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 23.8′, the Seal 26 tops out around 6.5 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √23.8′ LWL = 6.5 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
Ballast / Displacement
44.0%
Stiff enough to carry a big genoa comfortably into moderate breeze.
Displacement / Length
165
Moderate — a good balance of speed and load-carrying ability.
Hull Speed
6.5kts
Pounds/Inch Immersion
5lbs
Weight needed to sink the hull one inch — loading sensitivity.
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Seal 26 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Tanzer 26
Trapper 300
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Seal 26.
| Seal 26 | First 26 Beneteau | Marieholm 26 | Sonata 26 | Tanzer 26 | Trapper 300 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||||||
| LOA | 26.3 | 26.3 | 26.3 | 26.3 | 26.3 | 26.3 |
| LWL | 23.8 | 22.9 | 20.2 | 19.8 | 22.5 | 20.6 |
| Beam | 9.3 | 9.2 | 7.2 | 8.2 | 8.7 | 8.0 |
| Displacement | 5 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 4 |
| Ballast | 2 | 1 | 2 | 500 | 1 | 1 |
| Sail Area | — | 291 | 291 | 277 | 282 | — |
| Performance | ||||||
| PHRF | — | — | — | — | 216 | 229 |
| SA/Disp | — | 16.4 | 15.0 | 22.3 | 17.0 | — |
| Bal/Disp | 44.0 | 30.2 | — | — | 44.8 | 43.1 |
| Comfort | — | 16.2 | 27.8 | 12.2 | 16.0 | — |
| Capsize | — | 2.18 | 1.64 | 2.32 | 2.13 | — |
| Hull Speed | — | 6.4 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.4 | — |