Polaris 26 (Tripp) Information, Review, Specs

The Polaris 26 entered production in 1960, a period marked by a burgeoning interest in fiberglass sailboats offering durability and reduced maintenance compared to traditional wood construction. The design philosophy of William H. Tripp Jr. often centered on creating efficient hull forms capable of spirited performance, and the Polaris 26 was no exception, coupling a "big rig" with a clean and sensible hull. Werf Gusto, while primarily known for its heavy industrial and specialized commercial vessels as detailed in its corporate history, played a role in the construction of leisure craft like the Polaris 26 and its close cousin, the Sailmaster 26. This suggests a fascinating deviation or subsidiary involvement for the Dutch shipyard in the burgeoning recreational sailing market. The boat features a monohull with a modified keel and a centerboard, a design choice providing both stability and the flexibility of a shoal draft for accessing shallower anchorages. While there are no widely noted significant variations like MkI or MkII during its production run, the centerboard configuration was a defining characteristic.

Sailing Performance and Handling

The Polaris 26, with a length overall of just over 26 feet and a waterline length of 19 feet, presents a balanced design for a cruiser of its size. Its sailing performance can be interpreted through several key ratios. The Sail Area to Displacement ratio (SA/D) of 15.62 suggests a boat that is adequately powered but might require a decent breeze to truly come alive, performing best in moderate to stronger winds rather than light air. The Displacement to Length ratio (D/L) of 309.16 indicates a relatively heavy boat for its waterline length, classifying it as a traditional, heavier cruiser. This substantial displacement contributes to a comfortable motion in a seaway, offering a stable and forgiving ride in various conditions. The Polaris 26 features a keel/centerboard hull, which combines the benefits of a fixed keel's stability with the ability to reduce draft for shallow water access. While specific ballast weight information is not consistently available, similar designs of the era with centerboards often incorporate lead ballast within a stub keel to ensure stiffness and stability. Owners generally find the boat to be well-behaved and predictable, making it suitable for coastal cruising and day sailing.

Accommodations and Layout

Information regarding the specific interior layout of the Polaris 26 is scarce in readily available public records. However, for a 26-foot cruiser of its era (early 1960s), certain general expectations can be made. These boats typically featured a compact but functional interior designed to maximize livability within their modest dimensions. Common arrangements would include a V-berth forward, a small head compartment, a compact galley, and a main salon with settees that could convert into additional berths. A similar design, the Polaris Drabant 26, was noted to be equipped with five berths, suggesting a similar capacity might have been intended for the Tripp-designed Polaris 26. Interior finishes would generally consist of fiberglass liners complemented by some wood trim, offering a balance of durability and a nautical aesthetic. Storage solutions would likely be found under berths and in small lockers. Given the lack of specific headroom data, it is reasonable to expect standing headroom to be limited, particularly for taller individuals, in many areas of the cabin. Many Polaris 26 boats on the used market today may have undergone extensive renovations or have their interiors in varying states of originality.