BoatsMacgregor 26S

Macgregor 26S

Fractional Sloop · Centerboard (Trunk) · 1990–1995

A centerboard fractional sloop built from 1990 to 1995 as part of one of the world's most widely produced boat series

Designed by Roger Macgregor.

LOA
Beam
Draft (max)
Displacement
Ballast
Hull type
Centerboard (Trunk)

See her sail

The Macgregor 26S, on the water

The fleet's own footage — the truest look at how she really moves.

Footage from Lady K Sailing

Is it for you?

Character

Where this design lands on the numbers a shopper trusts — read straight from her own ratios.

TrailerableBeam 2.38 m — inside the 2.55 m no-permit tow width across most of Europe, and the 2.59 m US and Canadian limit. About 1,293 kg of hull, so roughly 1,900 kg on a trailer: check that against your own towing rating.Shoal draftDraws 0.38 m, board up where she has one — creeks, sandbars and thin anchorages most keels have to stay out of.
LivelySea-kindly

Her light displacement on a moderate beam gives 12 — a quick, lively motion that feels every wave.

Comfort ratio 12
CoastalBluewater

2.21 — right around the 2.0 line, the edge between coastal and offshore.

Capsize screening 2.21
LightHeavy

98 — light for her waterline, so she is easily driven and quick to accelerate.

Displacement / length 98
EasygoingPowered-up

18.8 — plenty of sail for her weight; lively and quick to respond.

Sail area / displacement 18.8
TenderStiff

42% of her weight is ballast — stiff, standing up well to her sails.

Ballast 42%

Light and lively — happiest day-sailing and coastal-hopping in settled weather.

  • Draws more than ~89% of boats her size on file

Compared with 598 boats of the same type within a quarter of her length.

What the fleet has seen

The Macgregor 26S, as the fleet has seen it

Derived from the videos the fleet has analysed of this model. ▶ marks open the moment aboard.

The Macgregor 26S is a 7.9-meter fractional sloop with a centerboard hull, built by Macgregor Yacht Corp. from 1990 to 1995. Designed by Roger Macgregor, it is part of the Macgregor 26 series, which was one of the most widely produced sailboats of its size.0:46 The 26S has a displacement of 1292 kg and a draft of 1.9 meters. Its design, shared with other Macgregor 26 models like the 26X and 26M, features a water-ballasted, lightweight hull intended to plane under power with outboards up to 70 horsepower.2:22 This allows for high-speed motoring and easy trailering. However, this design results in a tender feel, sensitivity to crew placement, and poor windward performance compared to traditional keelboats.3:23 The Macgregor 26 series is considered a recreational vehicle for specific users rather than a dedicated sailing machine.

The living fleet

Sailed by the fleet

Where the fleet has filmed this boat.

Basemap © Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0

The record

Full specifications

The complete reference set — tap any figure to switch between metric and imperial.

Dimensions
Weights
Ballast / displacement
42.1%
Rig & sail area
Rig
Fractional Sloop
Ratios
SA / displacement
18.8
Displacement / length
98.0
Comfort ratio
11.8
Capsize screening
2.21
Hull speed
6.5 kn
Pounds / inch immersion
657
Hull
Hull type
Centerboard (Trunk)
Construction
Fiberglass
Ballast type
Water
Production
Years built
1990–1995
Units built
6000
Designer
Roger Macgregor
Builder
Macgregor Yacht Corp

Boats like this, on the water

More boats like her, on the water

Comparable boats the fleet has on camera: same type, within a quarter of her length. Open the boat, or watch the video — a timestamp means she only appears in passing.

Seaward Yachts 26RK8.66 mSame hull family0.8 m longerA fractional sloop with a 1.83m lifting bulb keel, offering deep-water performance in a trailerable 8.66m package
This Boat Did EVERYTHING! (Perfect 6 Day Trip)8:36from Adventureman Dan
Deltania Yachts 267.92 mSame hull familyNear-identical length
Explore the inside of a SAILBOAT | Refitted Delta 26! | Sailing MotionMe Ep. 843:10from MotionMe
Tofinou 77.01 mSame hull family0.9 m shorterA classic fractional sloop modeled after a 1939 prototype, designed for elegant daysailing with a retractable keel
A taste of testing in Kiel for EYOTY 251:33from SEILmagasinet
Cal Boats 247.43 mSame hull family0.4 m shorterThe inaugural Jensen Marine Cal model, this fractional keel-centerboard sloop was built for shoal-water versatility
Aladino Sails The Pacific Alone.2:08from Sailing Magic Carpet
Sunbeam 29.18.99 mSame hull family1.1 m longerA high-performance fractional sloop with a swing keel and dual rudders, designed for agile sailing in shallow waters
THE FINAL Step Of The Refit (and visiting a boat show)4:41from Jakob Lang Sailing
Catalina Yachts 227.26 mSame hull family0.6 m shorterA swing-keel masthead sloop with 15,000 units sold, offering a highly versatile and trailerable coastal cruiser
New Sailor CRASHES and Needs Advice!0:49from Practical Sailor

The family

Related models

The designs closest to hers — usually the rest of the builder's range, sometimes the same hull sold under another name.

Macgregor 26DA lightweight, high-production fractional sloop featuring a daggerboard and a design legacy that defined a generationMacgregor 26XA water-ballasted sail-power hybrid designed for versatile coastal cruising and easy traileringMacgregor 26MA versatile trailer-sailer featuring a rotating spar, daggerboard, and twin rudders for performance in a light displacementMacgregor 36A Roger Macgregor-designed catamaran with a high sail-area-to-displacement ratio, built for speed between 1977 and 1983Macgregor 25A high-performance fractional sloop with over 7,000 units sold, designed for versatility as both a Venture and MacGregor 25

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