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Stella 26
Designer: C. R. Holman  ·  Builder: Tucker Brown & Co. (Uk)  ·  First built: 1959
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About the Stella 26

A compact and capable daysailer and coastal cruiser, the Stella 26 offers an approachable entry point for sailors seeking a manageable yet rewarding boat. Designed with simplicity in mind, this modest sloop suits those looking to develop their sailing skills or enjoy relaxed coastal passages without the complexity of a larger vessel. While detailed specifications for the Stella 26 are limited, boats of this size and class typically favor protected and semi-protected waters, making them well suited for bay sailing, lake cruising, and short coastal hops. The Stella 26's modest footprint makes it easy to trailer, store, and handle short-handed, which adds practical appeal for sailors with limited crew or marina access. For buyers researching this boat, its appeal likely lies in its affordability and ease of ownership rather than bluewater ambition. Those drawn to the Stella 26 tend to prioritize weekend sailing adventures and the pure enjoyment of time on the water over long-distance passagemaking. With proper research into individual boat condition and any class-specific quirks, it can represent solid value in the used sailboat market.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 27.75 ft / 8.46 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 20.00 ft / 6.10 m
Beam 7.50 ft / 2.29 m
Max Draft 3.83 ft / 1.17 m
Displacement 6,040.00 lb / 2,740 kg
Ballast 2,780.00 lb / 1,261 kg
Ballast Type Iron
Design & Construction
Hull Type Long keel w/trans. hung rudder
Rigging Type Fractional Sloop
Construction Wood - (clinker)
Designer C. R. Holman
Builder Tucker Brown & Co. (UK)
First Built 1959
Last Built 1972
Number Built 102
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Known Issues & What to Watch For

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Performance Ratios
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
46.03
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
337.05
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. 3.21 pounds/inch
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 16.36
P (Mainsail Luff) 338.00 ft² / 31.40 m²
E (Mainsail Foot) 337.05
How It Compares

vs. Contessa 28, Indra 28, Normandy

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Stella 26 ★
27.8 ft
Contessa 28
27.7 ft
Indra 28
27.7 ft
Normandy
27.7 ft
LWL
Stella 26 ★
20.0 ft
Contessa 28
22.0 ft
Indra 28
20.0 ft
Normandy
21.4 ft
Beam
Stella 26 ★
7.5 ft
Contessa 28
9.4 ft
Indra 28
8.0 ft
Normandy
7.6 ft
Displacement
Stella 26 ★
6 lbs
Contessa 28
6 lbs
Indra 28
5 lbs
Normandy
7 lbs
Ballast
Stella 26 ★
2 lbs
Contessa 28
2 lbs
Indra 28
2 lbs
Normandy
Sail Area
Stella 26 ★
Contessa 28
Indra 28
313 sq ft
Normandy
355 sq ft
Performance
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Stella 26 ★
Contessa 28
Indra 28
15.3
Normandy
14.6
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Stella 26 ★
46.0 %
Contessa 28
40.2 %
Indra 28
Normandy
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Stella 26 ★
Contessa 28
Indra 28
26.0
Normandy
34.1
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Stella 26 ★
Contessa 28
Indra 28
1.76
Normandy
1.55
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Stella 26 ★
337
Contessa 28
292
Indra 28
Normandy
Hull Speed
Stella 26 ★
Contessa 28
Indra 28
6.0 kts
Normandy
6.2 kts
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