Controversy 26 Information, Review, Specs

History and Design

The genesis of the Controversy 26 is deeply intertwined with Mount Desert Yacht Yard's pivotal transformation into a boatbuilding powerhouse in the mid-20th century. Under the visionary leadership of E. Farnham Butler, the yard, in collaboration with Cyrus Hamlin, began developing a unique line of "light displacement, reverse sheer cruising boats". The Controversy 26, first introduced in 1954, was a prime example of this ethos, aiming to blend innovative design with practical cruising capabilities.

Mount Desert Yacht Yard was known for its commitment to traditional wooden construction, often employing the strip-planking technique for its hulls, which provided both lightweight characteristics and robust strength. The distinct reverse sheer, a signature of the yard's designs, offered both an aesthetically striking profile and practical advantages, such as enhanced interior volume. The initial production run included three distinct versions: an offshore cruising model, a weekend cruiser, and a simpler day sailor, indicating the designers' intent to cater to a broad spectrum of sailing preferences.

Sailing Performance and Handling

The design specifications of the Controversy 26 reveal insights into its intended sailing characteristics. With a displacement of 4,100 pounds and a waterline length of 21.75 feet, the boat boasts a Displacement to Length (D/L) ratio of approximately 177.67. This places the Controversy 26 firmly in the category of light-displacement yachts, suggesting an agile and potentially spirited performance in a variety of conditions.

Her reported sail area of 292 square feet, combined with her displacement, yields a Sail Area to Displacement (SA/D) ratio of approximately 18.21. This relatively high ratio indicates that the Controversy 26 is likely to perform well in lighter airs, being able to generate good speed even when the wind is not strong. The ballast of 1,300 pounds results in a Ballast to Displacement (B/D) ratio of about 0.317. While not exceptionally high, this ratio, coupled with its keel/centerboard configuration, suggests a moderate level of initial stability, allowing the boat to stand up to a reasonable breeze.

The inclusion of a centerboard (with a minimum draft of 2.5 feet and a maximum draft of 4.67 feet) provides significant operational flexibility. This design choice would enable the Controversy 26 to access shallower anchorages and navigate thin waters with ease, while the ability to lower the board would enhance upwind performance and reduce leeway in deeper conditions. While detailed anecdotal reviews of its specific handling characteristics are not widely available, the design principles championed by Mount Desert Yacht Yard point towards a boat that offers a balanced helm and a rewarding sailing experience consistent with light displacement cruisers of its era.

Accommodations and Layout

Information regarding the specific interior layout and finishes of the Controversy 26 is not extensively documented in widely accessible resources. However, drawing from the builder's general construction ethos, it can be inferred that the interior would likely reflect the traditional craftsmanship and wooden artistry for which Mount Desert Yacht Yard was known. The use of wood strip-planking for the hull would have contributed to a warm and classic aesthetic below decks.

Given its overall length of just under 26 feet, the interior of the Controversy 26 would have been designed to be functional and efficient, particularly for the offshore and weekend cruising variants. Typical layouts for boats of this size from the mid-20th century would likely include a V-berth forward, a main salon with settees that convert to berths, and a small galley area. Headroom, while not explicitly stated, would be modest given the boat's dimensions and potentially its reverse sheer design, though the reverse sheer was also intended to increase interior volume. Storage would have been thoughtfully integrated to maximize the utility of the available space, consistent with the yard's emphasis on practicality in its cruising designs.