Titania 26 Information, Review, Specs

History and Design

The creation of the Titania 26 in 1959 emerged from the unique capabilities and vision of Fairey Marine Ltd, a company established by aircraft manufacturer Sir Charles Richard Fairey and Mr. Chichester-Smith. Their shared passion for sailing led them to apply advanced "hot molding" techniques, perfected during wartime aircraft production, to boat building. This revolutionary process involved molding plywood veneers under heat and pressure in an autoclave, resulting in exceptionally strong, lightweight, and durable hulls that set Fairey boats apart in their era.

The Titania 26 shares its underwater lines and twin-keel configuration with the Atalanta 26, another successful model from Fairey Marine. However, the Titania was a deliberate evolution, specifically designed by Uffa Fox to provide "more cruising comfort" for its owners, distinguishing it from its Atalanta sibling. This focus on enhanced interior living space is evident in its slightly increased freeboard and a longer coachroof, which also led to a comparatively shorter cockpit. While Uffa Fox was widely celebrated for his contributions to high-performance dinghy and racing yacht design, his work on the Titania 26 underscored his versatility and ability to tailor designs for specific cruising needs. Production of the Titania 26 continued until Fairey Marine ceased its boatbuilding operations in 1973.

Sailing Performance and Handling

The Titania 26, with its design emphasis on cruising comfort, offers a practical and stable sailing experience. A key feature of its design is the innovative twin keel (or tandem centerboard) system. This configuration provides exceptional versatility, allowing for both a shallow minimum draft of 2.5 feet for accessing shallower anchorages and a deeper maximum draft of 5.75 feet when the centerboards are deployed, enhancing performance and stability on deeper points of sail. This dual-draft capability makes the Titania 26 well-suited for a range of sailing environments, from sheltered waters to more open coastal passages. While specific anecdotal handling characteristics for the Titania 26 are less widely documented, its shared hull lines with the Atalanta 26 suggest a responsive nature, complemented by the twin-keel system which generally contributes to good directional stability and ease of handling. The builder described the Titania as "brilliant and beautiful," highlighting its appealing nature for the cruising enthusiast.

Accommodations and Layout

Details regarding the interior accommodations of the Titania 26 are not extensively documented in widely available specifications. However, as a 26-foot cruiser, it would typically offer a functional layout suitable for weekend trips and short coastal cruises. Its design, featuring a longer coachroof compared to the Atalanta 26, indicates a focus on maximizing internal volume for living space, even if this meant a slightly reduced cockpit area. While specific headroom figures are not available, boats of this size and era generally provided standing or near-standing headroom in the main salon for average individuals. The interior would likely have featured a V-berth forward, a compact galley area, a basic head compartment, and a main salon with settees that could convert into berths. Given Fairey Marine's reputation for quality, the interior finishes would typically have incorporated hot-molded wood and robust construction, aligning with their overall manufacturing ethos.