Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
6.1 kts
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 21.0′, the Taylor 26 tops out around 6.1 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √21.0′ LWL = 6.1 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
42.6%
Stiff enough to carry a big genoa comfortably into moderate breeze.
Displacement / Length
260
Moderate-heavy — carries provisions well, deliberate in light air.
Hull Speed
6.1kts
Pounds/Inch Immersion
3lbs
Weight needed to sink the hull one inch — loading sensitivity.
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Taylor 26 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Contessa 26
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Taylor 26.
| Taylor 26 | Albin 78 | Contessa 26 | Hunter 255 | Parker Dawson 26 | Victoire 26 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||||||
| LOA | 25.5 | 25.6 | 25.5 | 25.6 | 25.6 | 25.4 |
| LWL | 21.0 | 21.8 | 20.0 | 22.1 | 22.2 | 20.2 |
| Beam | 7.5 | 9.1 | 7.5 | 9.1 | 8.0 | 8.4 |
| Displacement | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 5 |
| Ballast | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Sail Area | — | 248 | 233 | 282 | 271 | — |
| Performance | ||||||
| PHRF | — | — | 219 | — | — | — |
| SA/Disp | — | 13.3 | 12.2 | 16.6 | 13.6 | — |
| Bal/Disp | 42.6 | 40.4 | 42.6 | 40.0 | — | 34.0 |
| Comfort | — | 18.5 | 26.3 | 15.9 | 23.8 | 23.1 |
| Capsize | — | 2.10 | 1.71 | 2.20 | 1.79 | 1.90 |
| Hull Speed | — | 6.3 | 6.0 | 6.3 | 6.3 | 6.0 |