Pawnee 26 (Chris-Craft) Information, Review, Specs

History and Design

The Pawnee 26's production run, spanning from 1970 to 1971, places it firmly within an interesting period for Chris-Craft. The company, which had been synonymous with wooden powerboats for decades, fully transitioned to fiberglass construction by 1971. This era also saw Chris-Craft's dedicated, albeit short-lived, venture into the sailboat market, which ran from 1962 to 1976. During this time, the builder exclusively collaborated with Sparkman & Stephens for its sailboat designs, ensuring a pedigree of solid design and performance across its sailing fleet.

The Pawnee 26 itself carries the Sparkman & Stephens design number 1771.2 and is noted as an updated version of the earlier Chris-Craft Capri 26. While the Capri 26 was considered a good performer, the Pawnee 26 was specifically described as a "high performer," suggesting that the updates aimed to enhance its sailing capabilities. Sparkman & Stephens' design philosophy consistently focused on performance optimization, aiming to deliver boats with speed and solid handling. The Pawnee 26 benefited from this ethos, featuring a fiberglass hull and a fin keel with a skeg-hung rudder, a configuration chosen for its blend of performance and control.

Sailing Performance and Handling

The Chris-Craft Pawnee 26 showcases a design that prioritizes both spirited performance and reassuring stability. With a sail area to displacement ratio of approximately 21.57, she possesses ample canvas for her displacement, suggesting a lively performance, especially in lighter winds. This is consistent with its categorization as a "high performer."

Her ballast to displacement ratio of about 0.469 is notably high, indicating a very stiff and stable boat capable of standing up to significant wind. This substantial ballast, coupled with her fin keel and skeg-hung rudder, contributes to her reputation for stability. While her displacement to length ratio of approximately 507 suggests a robustly built, heavier displacement vessel for her waterline length of 19.98 feet, the Sparkman & Stephens design ensures that this does not come at the expense of sailing efficiency. Her hull form was conceived with a "significantly more speedy hull design" in mind, allowing her to punch above her weight class. Owners and reviewers alike have characterized the Pawnee 26 as very stable and stiff, capable of handling varying sea states with confidence. She boasts a theoretical hull speed of 5.99 knots, indicating her capacity for efficient passage-making.

Accommodations and Layout

Information regarding the interior accommodations and layout of the Chris-Craft Pawnee 26 is not readily available in detailed public records. The boat's relatively compact size, with a length overall of just over 26 feet and a beam of 8 feet, would typically suggest a functional yet cozy interior arrangement. Given the era of its construction and Chris-Craft's reputation for quality, one might expect a straightforward layout with practical amenities, possibly including a V-berth forward, a small head, and a compact salon or galley area. However, specific details on headroom, materials, storage, or ventilation are scarce in available reviews and specifications. This scarcity is further highlighted by online forums where owners themselves note the uncommon nature of the boat and the difficulty in finding detailed information or connecting with other owners.