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Zap 26
Designer: Bruce King  ·  Builder: Zap Marine (Usa)  ·  First built: 1977
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About the Zap 26

Designed as a compact and nimble daysailer, the Zap 26 offers an approachable sailing experience well suited to coastal waters and inland lakes. With its manageable size, this boat appeals to sailors looking for a responsive and easy-to-handle vessel that doesn't demand a large crew or extensive offshore experience. While detailed specifications for the Zap 26 are limited in available records, boats of this class and size typically prioritize simplicity and fun over long-passage capability. This makes the Zap 26 a natural fit for weekend sailing, club racing, or introducing newer sailors to the sport without the complexity of a larger cruising yacht. The Zap 26's modest footprint also translates to lower ownership costs, including trailering potential and more straightforward maintenance — practical advantages that continue to draw budget-conscious buyers to this segment of the market. For those researching a versatile and unpretentious sailboat that rewards time on the water rather than time at the dock, the Zap 26 is worth a closer look, particularly for sailors who value accessibility and ease of handling above all else.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 26.00 ft / 7.92 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 22.60 ft / 6.89 m
Beam 9.33 ft / 2.84 m
Max Draft 5.83 ft / 1.78 m
Displacement 3,200.00 lb / 1,451 kg
Ballast 1,485.00 lb / 674 kg
Ballast Type Lead
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/transom hung rudder
Rigging Type Fractional Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Bruce King
Builder Zap Marine (USA)
First Built 1977
Number Built 20
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Known Issues & What to Watch For

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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
 132
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
 46.41
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
 123.76
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. 4.52 pounds/inch
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 24.08
J (Foretriangle Base) 10.00 ft / 3.05 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 326.00 ft² / 30.29 m²
E (Mainsail Foot) 123.76
Find a Zap 26 For Sale
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