Chrysler 26

The Chrysler 26 is an American trailerable sailboat that was designed by Halsey Herreshoff as a cruiser and first built in 1977.^{[1][2][3][4][5]}

Chrysler 26

Chrysler 26 Courser
Development
Designer	Halsey Herreshoff
Location	United States
Year	1977
Builder	Chrysler Marine
Role	Cruiser
Name	Chrysler 26
Boat
Displacement	5,000 lb (2,268 kg)
Draft	6.25 ft (1.91 m) with keel down
Hull
Type	monohull
Construction	fiberglass
LOA	25.95 ft (7.91 m)
LWL	22.00 ft (6.71 m)
Beam	8.00 ft (2.44 m)
Engine type	outboard motor
Hull appendages
Keel/board type	swing keel
Ballast	1,900 lb (862 kg)
Rudder	internally-mounted spade-type rudder
Rig
Rig type	Bermuda rig
I foretriangle height	27.5 ft (8.4 m)
J foretriangle base	8.75 ft (2.67 m)
P mainsail luff	23.3 ft (7.1 m)
E mainsail foot	7.58 ft (2.31 m)
Sails
Sailplan	fractional rigged sloop masthead sloop
Mainsail area	106 sq ft (9.8 m2)
Jib/genoa area	151 sq ft (14.0 m2)
Total sail area	257 sq ft (23.9 m2)

Production

The design was built by Chrysler Marine in the United States, starting in 1977, but it is now out of production.^[1][2][6][7]

Design

The Chrysler 26 is a recreational keelboat, built predominantly of fiberglass. It has a masthead sloop rig, a raked stem plumb stem, a nearly-plumb transom, an internally mounted spade-type rudder controlled by a tiller and a swing keel or optional fixed fin keel.^[1][2]

The boat was produced with two different deck plans, the flush-deck "Cruiser" and the "Courser", named for the bird, with a more conventional coach house cabin.^[1][8]

The boat is normally fitted with a small outboard motor for docking and maneuvering, although a diesel inboard was a factory option.^[1][2][8]

The design has sleeping accommodation for six people, with a double "V"-berth in the bow cabin, two straight settee berths in the main cabin and an aft cabin with a double berth. The head is fully enclosed. Cabin headroom is 72 in (183 cm).^[9][8]

For sailing downwind the design may be equipped with a symmetrical spinnaker of 480 sq ft (45 m²).^[9]

The design has a hull speed of 6.29 kn (11.65 km/h).^[2]

Variants

Chrysler 26

This model has a swing keel, displaces 5,000 lb (2,268 kg) and carries 1,900 lb (862 kg) of ballast. The boat has a draft of 6.17 ft (1.88 m) with the keel down and 2.25 ft (0.69 m) with it up, allowing operation in shallow water or ground transportation on a trailer.^[10]

Chrysler 26 FK

This fixed keel model displaces 5,500 lb (2,495 kg) and carries 2,400 lb (1,089 kg) of ballast. The boat has a draft of 3.92 ft (1.19 m) with the standard keel.^[10]

Operational history

The boat is supported by an active class club the Chrysler Sailors and at one time also the Chrysler Sailing Association.^[11][12]

In a review SailRite wrote, "the Chrysler 26 is an excellent cruiser and features sleeping for six, with forward v-berth, double stern berth and two side berths. The Chrysler 26 also has an enclosed head for privacy. With six side windows and a translucent forward hatch there is plenty of ambient light."^[9]

See also

• List of sailing boat types