Santana 26 Information, Review, Specs

The creation of the Santana 26 falls within a significant period for W.D. Schock Corporation, a builder known for its pioneering work in fiberglass boat manufacturing on the U.S. West Coast. Founded by William "Bill" D. Schock in 1958, the company established a strong reputation for producing accessible yet competitive sailing vessels, largely driven by the adoption of fiberglass as its primary construction material. During the Santana 26's production run from 1971 to 1974, W.D. Schock was focused on combining practical design with robust construction.

The Santana 26 was designed by Seymour Paul, W.D. Schock's in-house naval architect, with the specific intent of creating a capable cruiser. While the primary model features a fin keel and spade rudder, known for its maneuverability, a keel/centerboard (swing keel) version was also offered during its production, typically equipped with a shorter rig to accommodate varying draft needs. The fin keel model, with a maximum draft of 5.0 feet, provides excellent handling characteristics.

Sailing Performance and Handling

The Santana 26, with a length overall of 26.17 feet and a waterline length of 21.08 feet, is designed to offer spirited performance. Her calculated Sail Area to Displacement (SA/Disp) ratio of approximately 18.15 suggests good performance in lighter air, indicating that she should be responsive even in gentle breezes.

The boat’s stability is notable, as evidenced by her Ballast to Displacement (Bal/Disp) ratio of roughly 47.4%. This high ratio signifies a stiff and stable boat, capable of standing up to significant wind and providing a comfortable motion in a seaway. Her Displacement to Length (Disp/LWL) ratio, calculated at approximately 241.3, positions her as a moderate-weight performance cruiser, balanced between the lightness of pure racers and the heavier displacement of traditional cruisers.

Equipped with a masthead sloop rig and a fin keel, the Santana 26 is generally described as having splendid maneuverability. The deep fin keel contributes significantly to her upwind prowess and responsiveness. While a fin keel design offers excellent agility, it inherently provides less directional stability compared to a full-length keel. The boat is capable of a hull speed of 6.15 knots.

Accommodations and Layout

Due to the limited interior details available in the structured data, a detailed description of the Santana 26’s accommodations relies on general knowledge of vessels of her size and era. As a 26-foot cruiser, the Santana 26 typically features a functional, yet compact, interior designed for coastal cruising or weekend trips. Common layouts for boats of this size from the early 1970s often include a V-berth forward, providing sleeping quarters, followed by a main salon with settees that may convert into additional berths.

A compact galley area, likely equipped with a sink and space for a stove, would typically be found, along with a dedicated head compartment. Storage is usually provided through various lockers and compartments throughout the cabin. While specific details on materials and finish quality are not widely documented in general reviews, boats built by W.D. Schock were known for their robust fiberglass construction. Owners seeking precise interior configurations or finish specifics would typically refer to original owner manuals or specialized reviews.