Here we have a Sailboat that almost defies the laws of physics. Coming in at under 26 feet it qualifies for low cost insurance added to a home insurance policy. It has a bigger cockpit than most 30 footers, thanks to an intelligent design that combines the cockpit coping with the deck, adding a foot or so to the cockpit width. (See picture)  It also sports comfortable sleeping for 5 adults, a compact but functional galley, full enclosed head, impressive storage and full standing headroom throughout. In the wild the Nash 26 can be spotted with Wheel helm or tiller, outboard or inboard, and even a few with dinette seating instead of the standard settee. In addition to all this, they’ve been advertised in very good condition for asking prices under $2000! Cruising is it’s obvious intention, concluded from the modest sized, light duty rig and the modified fin keel providing stability and comfort. While an amazing choice for a cruiser I would not pick this boat if I’m in a hurry.

Another example of incredible space and amenities somehow engineered into the 26 foot LOA confinement. Like the Nash 26 there are sleeping accommodations for 5 adults. The dinette seating is both comfortable and offers the rare eye-level positioning of the main, rather large portlights. Opposite the dinette, the galley offers the same view while preparing dinner on board. Like many boats in this article, it was available with both inboard and outboard engines. Most have tiller steering but a few came with a wheel on a binnacle. The outboard version has an “ole school” cutout in the transom for the motor and also comes with a board that slides in and closes the cutout if no outboard motor is present. This offers a unique DIY opportunity to simply install an outboard bracket on one side of the transom, thus the cutout makes it a “walk-out-transom”. Unheard of at the time they were built!

A successful example of a hull with racing pedigree, coupled with a practical and functional cruising interior. The Pearson 26 has a standard “Dinette” style layout, with a split galley on opposite ends of the companionway, the salon with the convertible dinette to port and a settee to starboard. Moving forward on the portside is the head, with clothes storage opposite followed by the V-berth. There were almost 1800 of these built and they are still quite plentiful. At very agreeable prices in many cases. Visually they’re not everyone’s first choice due the aft “stepped up” cabin top. That coupled with tiller steering as the only option deters a percentage of buyers, putting further downward pressure on the overall price picture. Those of us that have a preference for a tiller and actually like the stepped cabin top, will of course benefit form this.

While attempting to include only boats with standing headroom, the Catalina 25 sits on the fence in this regard. It doesn’t have standing headroom when it’s all buttoned up, but it boasts a “pop top”, that when deployed not only extends the ceiling height but also provides a 360 degree view and breeze from under the cabin top. A canvas cover with windows was available and seems to still come with a lot of the used examples observed. (pictured left) There were a variety of options available, of which a centerboard version may fetch slightly higher prices but is also more commonly coupled with a trailer as opposed to a cradle. The ability to “gunkhole” in less than three feet of water is more than wort an extra $500 to many. From the late 1970s to the early 90s, almost 6000 of these were built, making it the most common boat in this category, by far in the US. Maybe even worldwide. Dinette or opposing settee interior layouts were both available. Imagine the possibilities to DIY an amazing custom micro yacht with this as a foundation.

Another example of standing headroom in a 23 foot sailboat. Add a Head with a closing door, Berths for four adults, Inboard Engine, Galley with sink and stove, A bilge keel allowing to beach, or ground the vessel when the tide regresses, as well a surprisingly large sail area! Less than three feet of draft opens up a myriad of options for gunkholing or solely occupying a lagoon in the Bahamas. Almost 550 Westerly Pageant 23s were manufactured in less than 10 years. Due in no small part to high build standards and exceptional quality, many of these are available to this day. Ocean worthy and comfortable enough to make the passage, Westerly Pageant 23s can be found all over the world, and while they often fetch higher prices than many mass production vessels of the same era, The Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) spread over a few years, may very well make up for the price difference.

Interestingly different, odd perhaps even? The flush deck integrated with the cabin top is reminiscent of a Cal 25 or C&C Redline, but with more modern, sleeker lines. Designed by a racer, (Pelle Petterson) built by “Mölnlycke”, a large Swedish manufacturer of health care products, and exported all over the world. Both hull and deck are made up of fiberglass reinforced plastic, in a sandwich composition. The spaceship-like styling of the deck and cabin top are mirrored by a futuristic bulb keel below. Close to 4000 vessels where manufactured and sold worldwide, between 1972 and 1983. A reputation for high build quality would suggest plentiful availability on the used market with asking prices observed under $2,000 in Sweden. Likely a bit more elsewhere in the world.

The bigger sibling to the Pageant 23 (above) and a substantially larger commercial success with close to 2500 built between 1969 and 1980. Reputed to be a far better sailor than the stout, bulldog like, stance would suggest, a bilge keel, while offering several advantages, will always be a hindrance up-wind. Like her smaller sister, she is designed to, and is quite capable of going out to sea. The reputed high quality, heavy build, is corroborated by a Lloyd’s Certificate. She has a spacious and deep cockpit coupled with a massive interior for a 26 footer. Engine options included outboard, Volvo Penta and other Diesel inboards ranging from 13 to 40 Horsepower. Three feet of draft provides access to the most secret gunkholes and lagoons in the Bahamas. Multiple interior options were available of which the Dinette version was favored.

The most commercially successful of LM’s line of pilothouse Sailboats, or motorsailers as some call them. Although they are largely sailboats under the waterline. Almost 700 of these were made and many are still sailing the seas today. Offering a massive cockpit with a foldout table, sizeable storage lockers and tiller steering, Pilothouse sole (almost) level with the cockpit, offering quick access to the galley when entertaining or under sail. A protected helm position with huge windows all around, A fully enclosed head and a spacious salon that doubles as sleeping quarters round out the package. Inboard diesel and a full cockpit enclosure were standard equipment.

Wait! A Motor Sailer? Yeah. Reportedly it barely moves in less than 10 knots of wind. A Sail Area to Displacement Ratio of 8.05 isn’t gonna make any real headway under sail in many conditions. We still choose to include her for her high performance livability in a manageable size and expense range. Perfect for someone trying out sailing and cruising and keeps it resale value well. She also boasts a shallow draft of just 3.75′ opening up a whole world of anchorages that most “real” sailboats can’t reach. Speaking of stats; a Comfort Ratio of 35.61 and a Capsize Screening Formula of 1.73 opens up another world of open waters that wouldn’t be wise to challenge in many better performing boats.

Not 100% identical but close enough to cover as one model. The keel type being the biggest difference. The Kelt 7.6 was voted boat of the year in Europe in 1980, its first year of manufacture. Manufacturing was started in Canada for the North American Market.  Later Vandestadt and McGruer (the same McGruer as Grampian and Georgian 23) started manufacturing of its version and marketed it as a little sister to the very successful Sirius 28. It is rumored that the Sirius 26 has more headroom than the Kelt version but this is still to be confirmed by SailSavvy. Overall the layout and accommodations closely mirror those of the Mirage 25, with just a few inches more LOA. Note: There is also a European made Sirius 26. A different vessel altogether.

Surprisingly roomy with a modern interior and an open layout below. An enclosed head with shower and sink can be found on the port side of the companionway and a functional galley to starboard. The absence of a quarter berth allows for tremendous storage in both cockpit lazarettes. The Mirage 25 came with either an outboard on a bracket or an inboard under the cockpit sole. Similar designs in the same length include the Tanzer 25, Kelt 7.60 and Sirius 26. With a strong reputation for build quality, fit and finish, the Mirage brand does tend to demand a tad higher price than the average 25 footer of the same age. Expect an exhaustive article shortly!

Not something you see every day, but they do show up for sale now and then. -Quite often at prices near the lowest end of the spectrum. Couple that with low insurance, maintenance and mooring costs and this is likely the “Stingiest” choice on this list, -without sacrificing standing headroom! Believe it or not, some of these were sold with a diesel inboard and a wheel helm from the factory. A roomy cockpit and modern, light and inviting interior provides enough space for a couple to go cruising. There is even a guest settee making it possible to sleep four adults below deck. The designer, Alex McGruer was involved in a few of the Stingy Sub-Compact Cruisers on this list. The design is reminiscent of the Challenger 7.4 but in slightly smaller scale.

Towards the end of Tanzer’s boat manufacturing days in the late 80’s, they introduced a trio of very well designed modern Sailboats. One of these is the Tanzer 25. It shares a lot of design elements with the Mirage 25 with the distinct difference of an enclosed, almost queen size aft cabin instead of cavernous lazarette space. Shallow or deeper draft models are both available. Being more modern in design, almost 90’s seeming, rather than its actual late80’s origins, it does tend to come with slightly elevated asking prices but that can be taken as a “negotiation challenge”. You can find it with both inboard or outboard engine options. Looking at the overall design and balance of this vessel one might suspect a bit better performance than the bulk of these boats. A characteristic also shared with the Mirage 25.