Horizon 26 Payne

Designed by renowned Australian naval architect Alan Payne and built by Horizon Yacht Marine starting in 1976, this 26-footer represents solid coastal cruising capabilities in a manageable package. Payne, famous for his America's Cup designs, brought his expertise to this more modest cruiser, creating a boat that balances comfort with sailing performance. The masthead sloop configuration and moderate sail area make this an approachable boat for weekend sailors and coastal cruisers. With a comfortable ratio of 17.95, the design prioritizes stability and motion comfort over pure speed, while the capsize screening formula of 1.96 indicates good initial stability suitable for protected waters and coastal sailing. The keel/centerboard hull configuration offers versatility often missing in pure keel boats, allowing access to shallow anchorages while maintaining the tracking and windward ability of a fixed keel design. At 4,400 pounds displacement with 1,400 pounds of ballast, the boat strikes a reasonable balance between stability and performance. Built in fiberglass construction, these boats from the late 1970s represent the era when production sailboats were becoming more refined while remaining relatively simple. The design suits couples or small families seeking reliable coastal cruising with occasional overnight capabilities, rather than extended offshore passages.

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