Thomas Gillmer's Privateer 26 represents a classic approach to small-boat cruising from the golden age of fiberglass production sailboats. Built by Kenner Boat Company between 1966 and 1974, this traditional cutter-rigged design emphasizes seaworthiness over speed, making it an appealing choice for coastal cruising and short-handed sailing. The boat's long keel configuration and substantial displacement of 6,500 pounds create excellent directional stability and a forgiving motion in choppy conditions. With over half its weight in ballast, the Privateer 26 offers reassuring stability, while the cutter rig provides versatile sail handling options particularly valuable when sailing short-handed or in variable conditions. Gillmer's design philosophy emphasized sea-kindly characteristics over racing performance, evident in the boat's comfortable motion and predictable handling. The generous beam provides reasonable interior volume for weekend cruising, though accommodations remain modest by modern standards. The boat's capsize screening formula of 1.72 suggests good offshore stability, while the comfort ratio indicates a motion that favors comfort over speed. For sailors seeking a traditional, well-mannered coastal cruiser with proven seaworthiness, the Privateer 26 offers old-school sailing character increasingly rare in modern designs.
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What is the Privateer 26's sail area to displacement ratio?
The Privateer 26 has a Sail Area to Displacement ratio (SA/D) of 18.85. Values between 14–18 are typical cruising sailboats; 18–22 is cruiser/racer; over 22 is performance racing.
What is the Privateer 26's comfort ratio?
The Privateer 26 has a Ted Brewer Comfort Ratio of 26.04. A ratio over 30 indicates good offshore comfort; over 40 is very comfortable offshore.
Is the Privateer 26 safe for offshore sailing?
The Privateer 26 has a Capsize Screening Formula value of 1.72. Values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing; under 1.8 is ideal.
What is the hull speed of the Privateer 26?
The theoretical hull speed of the Privateer 26 is 6.13 kn knots, calculated from its waterline length.
How much does a Privateer 26 weigh?
The Privateer 26 has a displacement of 6,500.00 lb and a length overall (LOA) of 31.75 ft.
Who designed the Privateer 26?
The Privateer 26 was designed by Thomas Gillmer, first built in 1966.