Chrysler 26 Sailboat Review, Specs, and Listings

Design and Construction

The Chrysler 26 measures 26 feet overall, 22 feet on the waterline, and 8 feet in beam. It displaces 5,000 pounds and carries 2,000 pounds of ballast. The predominantly fiberglass hull has a raked stem and nearly plumb transom.

Two deck plans were available. The flush-deck version was called the “Cruiser,” while the “Courser” had a more conventional coach-house cabin. Buyers could also choose between a swing keel and a fixed fin keel. The swing-keel model draws 2 feet 3 inches with the board up and 6 feet 2 inches with it down.

The boat carries a masthead sloop rig. Its internally mounted, spade-type rudder is controlled by a tiller. If the steering loses its bite, the owner can tighten a collar around the rudder shaft—a simple adjustment rather than a structural repair.

Rig, Sailing, and Handling

Trailerability shaped the rig. A hinged mast step allows the mast to be raised and lowered, and one person can manage the system by attaching an extra line to the forestay, leading it through a block, and taking it back to the aft winch.

A crank controls the centerboard, which testers found easy to raise and lower. With the board up, the boat suits shallow-water gunkholing; lowering it suits windward work.

Period testers found the Chrysler 26 forgiving and lively. She sailed well in light air under working jib alone. In nearly 20 knots, she cranked along with the rail nearly under and responded crisply to the tiller. The #16 Barlow winches were well placed for the crew, and an optional mainsheet traveler allowed finer sail trim.

Cockpit and Accommodations

The cockpit is small for a 26-foot boat, a tradeoff noted in the period review despite the otherwise family-oriented layout.

Below, the cabin has 6-foot standing headroom and sleeping space for six. The berths include foam-cushioned forward vee berths, twin single side berths, and a double stern berth beneath the cockpit. Testers thought the stern-berth space would be more useful as storage.

The standard galley includes a two-burner alcohol stove with a stainless steel cover, a stainless steel sink, and a 10-gallon water tank. Provisioning space accommodates one 50-pound icebox and one 100-pound icebox. The smaller icebox sits beneath the companionway, where it’s difficult to reach even for a casual drink.

Six side windows and a translucent forward hatch bring light into the cabin. The head is fully enclosed.

Power, Trailers, and Equipment

Power options included a Chrysler Sailor 6 or 10 HP outboard on a specially built stern attachment, or a Yanmar 8 HP diesel inboard. Controls and fuel tanks were hidden in the lazarette, with a throttle handle like those in small runabouts.

Chrysler offered “Custom Mated Sailboat Trailers.” Other options included a bow pulpit, stern rail, lifelines, halyard winches, spinnaker with pole, boom vang, mast-raising bridle, jiffy reefing, mainsheet traveler, and bimini or dodger canvas.

The active Chrysler Sailors club, along with the earlier Chrysler Sailing Association, gives owners a ready support network.

Known Issues

The Chrysler 26’s main ergonomic compromises are its small cockpit and the awkward location of the smaller icebox beneath the companionway. The icebox placement is a recurring annoyance rather than a defect, while testers considered the double stern berth more useful for storage than sleeping.

Steering response also depends on the rudder-shaft collar being set correctly. If the rudder goes slack, tightening the collar restores control.

The Verdict

The Chrysler 26 is a thoughtfully packaged trailerable cruiser that offers considerable family comfort for its length. Its rig was engineered for single-handed mast handling, and its hull remains responsive in a breeze. The small cockpit and awkward icebox placement are the chief ergonomic compromises, but the boat’s range of power options, matched trailers, and owner support network help keep ownership practical.

Pros