Back to Search
Yankee 26
Designer: Sparkman & Stephens  ·  Builder: Yankee Yachts Inc. (Usa)  ·  First built: 1974
+ Add to Compare
About the Yankee 26

First launched in the 1970s, this compact cruiser emerged from the creative minds at Yankee Yachts during an era when thoughtful design mattered more than flashy marketing. Built with a focus on seaworthiness and practical sailing, the Yankee 26 carved out a loyal following among sailors seeking genuine capability in a modest package. Designed primarily for coastal cruising and weekend adventures, this boat strikes an appealing balance between comfort and performance. Her traditional lines reflect classic sailboat aesthetics while incorporating practical features that make extended sailing enjoyable for small crews or families. The cockpit and cabin layout prioritize functionality, offering adequate space for overnight trips without unnecessary complexity. What sets this design apart is its reputation for solid construction and predictable sailing characteristics. Owners consistently praise the boat's ability to handle varying conditions with confidence, making it an excellent choice for sailors developing their skills or those seeking a reliable coastal companion. The Yankee 26 represents an honest approach to sailboat design—unpretentious yet capable, modest in size but generous in character. For sailors prioritizing seaworthiness over speed, this classic design continues to deliver satisfying adventures decades after its introduction.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 26.00 ft / 7.92 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 20.67 ft / 6.30 m
Beam 8.67 ft / 2.64 m
Max Draft 4.75 ft / 1.45 m
Displacement 5,335.00 lb / 2,420 kg
Ballast 2,150.00 lb / 975 kg
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin with rudder on skeg
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Sparkman & Stephens
Builder Yankee Yachts Inc. (USA)
First Built 1974
Owner Reviews

No owner reviews yet — be the first to share your experience with this boat.

Performance Ratios
PHRF Rating PHRF (Performance Handicap Racing Fleet) is a national racing handicap measured in seconds per nautical mile. Lower values indicate faster boats. Ratings are sourced from US Sailing's national database (median across 60+ regional fleets).
Under 0 — Ultralight racer0–90 — Performance racer90–150 — Cruiser/racer150–210 — Typical cruiserOver 210 — Heavy/slow cruiser
228
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
40.3
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
269.69
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. 3.84 pounds/inch
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 15.77
J (Foretriangle Base) 10.30 ft / 3.14 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 300.00 ft² / 27.87 m²
E (Mainsail Foot) 269.69
How It Compares

vs. Capri 26 Catalina, Chrysler 26 Fk, Ericson 26 Crealock

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Yankee 26 ★
26.0 ft
Capri 26 Catalina
26.0 ft
Chrysler 26 Fk
26.0 ft
Ericson 26 Crealock
26.0 ft
LWL
Yankee 26 ★
20.7 ft
Capri 26 Catalina
22.5 ft
Chrysler 26 Fk
22.0 ft
Ericson 26 Crealock
21.4 ft
Beam
Yankee 26 ★
8.7 ft
Capri 26 Catalina
9.1 ft
Chrysler 26 Fk
8.0 ft
Ericson 26 Crealock
7.8 ft
Displacement
Yankee 26 ★
5 lbs
Capri 26 Catalina
4 lbs
Chrysler 26 Fk
5 lbs
Ericson 26 Crealock
4 lbs
Ballast
Yankee 26 ★
2 lbs
Capri 26 Catalina
1 lbs
Chrysler 26 Fk
2 lbs
Ericson 26 Crealock
1 lbs
Sail Area
Yankee 26 ★
Capri 26 Catalina
268 sq ft
Chrysler 26 Fk
257 sq ft
Ericson 26 Crealock
300 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Yankee 26 ★
228 s/nm
Capri 26 Catalina
213 s/nm
Chrysler 26 Fk
Ericson 26 Crealock
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Yankee 26 ★
Capri 26 Catalina
16.0
Chrysler 26 Fk
13.2
Ericson 26 Crealock
17.9
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Yankee 26 ★
40.3 %
Capri 26 Catalina
37.5 %
Chrysler 26 Fk
43.6 %
Ericson 26 Crealock
38.6 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Yankee 26 ★
Capri 26 Catalina
15.2
Chrysler 26 Fk
23.0
Ericson 26 Crealock
19.5
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Yankee 26 ★
Capri 26 Catalina
2.22
Chrysler 26 Fk
1.82
Ericson 26 Crealock
1.89
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Yankee 26 ★
269
Capri 26 Catalina
172
Chrysler 26 Fk
230
Ericson 26 Crealock
199
Hull Speed
Yankee 26 ★
Capri 26 Catalina
6.4 kts
Chrysler 26 Fk
6.3 kts
Ericson 26 Crealock
6.2 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Yankee 26 ★
Capri 26 Catalina
Chrysler 26 Fk
1.6
Ericson 26 Crealock
2.8
Find a Yankee 26 For Sale