The Zap 26 is and respectable in club racing.
Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
6.4 kts
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 22.6′, the Zap 26 tops out around 6.4 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √22.6′ LWL = 6.4 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
PHRF Rating
132s/nm
Cruiser/racer — competitive in club racing, comfortable cruising.
Ballast / Displacement
46.4%
Race-oriented ballast ratio — very stiff and powerful.
Displacement / Length
124
Ultralight — responsive and fast, but carries less stores.
Hull Speed
6.4kts
Pounds/Inch Immersion
5lbs
Weight needed to sink the hull one inch — loading sensitivity.
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Zap 26 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Zap 26
Cruiser/racer — competitive in club racing, comfortable cruising.
Capri 26 Catalina
Yankee 26
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Zap 26.
| Zap 26 | Capri 26 Catalina | Cc 26 Encounter | Chrysler 26 Fk | S2 80 B | Yankee 26 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||||||
| LOA | 26.0 | 26.0 | 26.0 | 26.0 | 26.0 | 26.0 |
| LWL | 22.6 | 22.5 | 23.0 | 22.0 | 21.4 | 20.7 |
| Beam | 9.3 | 9.1 | 10.0 | 8.0 | 8.0 | 8.7 |
| Displacement | 3 | 4 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 5 |
| Ballast | 1 | 1 | — | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| Sail Area | — | 268 | 322 | 257 | 282 | — |
| Performance | ||||||
| PHRF | 132 | 213 | — | — | — | 228 |
| SA/Disp | — | 16.0 | 15.5 | 13.2 | 16.4 | — |
| Bal/Disp | 46.4 | 37.5 | — | 43.6 | — | 40.3 |
| Comfort | — | 15.2 | 18.4 | 23.0 | 19.5 | — |
| Capsize | — | 2.22 | 2.19 | 1.82 | 1.93 | — |
| Hull Speed | — | 6.4 | 6.4 | 6.3 | 6.2 | — |