Design and Construction
The 7.6 is built of solid fiberglass, with a lead fin keel and a transom-hung rudder. Her beam of 8.5 feet gives a length-to-beam ratio of 2.98, a relatively broad section for a 26-footer that supports interior volume without pushing the hull into heavy-displacement territory. With 3,300 pounds of displacement and 985 pounds of lead ballast, the ballast ratio sits at 30 percent, and the displacement-length ratio of 129 places her firmly in the light-to-moderate cruiser range rather than the heavy traditionalist camp. The wetted surface of the underwater body is about 215 square feet, a modest figure that keeps her willing in light air for a boat of this length.
Rig and Handling
Holland gave the 7.6 a fractional sloop rig that is unusually powerful for the class — she carries more rig than 100 percent of all similar sailboats anchor. With the ISO 8666 reference sail the sail-area-to-displacement ratio is 21.6, and with a 135 percent genoa that figure rises to 24.6, a clear signal that she is built to move under canvas rather than motor. The fin keel draws between 4.49 and 4.79 feet depending on load, shallow enough to tuck into modest marinas while still giving the lateral grip a fin provides. Her theoretical hull speed as a displacement hull of this length is 6.4 knots, and the immersion rate of 666 pounds per inch means she sinks just over half an inch for every added quarter-ton of gear and crew.
Performance Character
The Motion Comfort Ratio comes in at 12.5, a number that reflects a brisk but not plush ride in a chop. More telling for the intended use is the capsize screening value of 2.28, which indicates this boat would not be accepted to participate in ocean races anchor. That same figure tells the candid story of her design envelope: she is a coastal and lake sailor with a lively hull, not a bluewater circumnavigator. The light displacement and generous sail plan make her quick to accelerate, while the lead ballast keeps her feet under her when the wind builds.
The Verdict
The Bombardier 7.6 is a Ron Holland coastal design that punches above her 26 feet in sail power and responsiveness. She is a day-sailer and weekender with a clean, solid-fiberglass hull and a lead fin, built for sailors who value a lively helm and easy marina access over offshore range.
Pros
- Fractional rig with more sail area than her peer group, quick in light air
- Solid fiberglass hull and lead keel avoid cored-laminate risk
- Shallow-enough draft for modest marinas, fin-keel grip when sailing
Cons
- Capsize screening value excludes her from ocean racing
