Bristol 26 Buyer's Guide
The Bristol 26 is a late-sixties Halsey Chase Herreshoff design built by Bristol Yachts Inc. from 1968 through 1978, with 234 built and a choice of keels that still defines how a used example suits a buyer. Shopping the used market means weighing that keel choice and the simple systems against the realities of a 26-foot fiberglass cruiser.
Layouts on the Used Market
Two keel layouts dominate the used fleet. The stub-keel with retractable centerboard draws as little as 2.82 feet loaded, suited to shallow marinas and inland waterways, while the long-keel version runs about 3.81 to 4.11 feet and holds a straighter course at the price of tighter maneuvering in confined harbors. Both share the same 26-foot masthead-sloop deck and interior envelope, so the keel is the principal layout differentiator a buyer meets at the dock.
Equipment and Common Upgrades
Most examples rely on an outboard for docking rather than an inboard, typically 5 to 6 horsepower or an electric motor of 115 to 138 pounds thrust, a setup that keeps the stern open and the systems light. Rig upgrades center on the sail plan: the original jib and genoa sheets are 26 feet of 3/8-inch line, the mainsheet 65 feet, and spinnaker sheets 57 feet, so a buyer should check for replaced running rigging and a serviceable masthead sloop wardrobe rather than expect elaborate self-steering or powered winches on a boat this size.
What to Inspect
The fiberglass hull needs only minimal seasonal maintenance, so inspection can focus on keel type and the outboard mount. Verify which keel is fitted and its condition, confirm the centerboard retracts if present, and test the outboard bracket and electrical or fuel system for the stated 5 to 6 horsepower requirement.
Availability and Buyer's Takeaway
No regional availability data is provided for this model, so buyers should treat the Bristol 26 as a general used market small cruiser without assumed geographic concentration. For a purchase checklist: confirm keel type and draft against intended waters, verify outboard power and mounting, inspect original sheet lengths for rig wear, and favor the stub/centerboard layout for shallow access.
Price & volume trends
Monthly asking-price and listing-volume trends for the Bristol 26. The line shows the median ask each month; the bars show how many listings appeared.
Comparable models
Similar length, displacement, and era. Open a row to compare that model's market page.
Similar boats to compare
2 similar designs| Model | LOA | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sadler 26 | 25.75' | $ 12,072 | 28 | 7 |
| Jeremy Rogers 26 | 25.5' | $ 10,080 | 21 | 4 |