Design and Construction
The Chrysler 26 is built predominantly of fiberglass, with a raked stem and a nearly-plumb transom. It carries a masthead sloop rig and an internally mounted spade-type rudder controlled by a tiller. Two deck plans were offered: the flush-deck "Cruiser" and the "Courser," with a more conventional coach house cabin. The swing-keel version draws from 2 feet 3 inches up to 6 feet 2 inches, while the fixed fin keel was the alternative; the boat displaces 5,000 pounds with 2,000 pounds of ballast. At 26 feet overall, 22 on the waterline, and 8 feet of beam, the hull is compact but shaped for the trailering brief. A collar around the rudder shaft can be tightened if the steering loses its bite, a simple owner-level adjustment rather than a structural fix.
Rig and Handling
Trailerability drives the rig details. A hinged mast step lets the mast be raised and lowered, and the system can be managed single-handed by attaching an extra line to the forestay, leading it through a block, and back to the aft winch. The centerboard is controlled by a crank that testers found easy to raise and lower, suiting shallow gunkholing with the board up and windward work with it down. On the water, the 26 proved forgiving and lively: period testers found she sailed well in light air with only a working jib, and in nearly 20 knots she cranked along with the rail nearly under while responding crisply to the tiller. The #16 Barlow winches were well placed for the crew, and a mainsheet traveler was among the available options for refining trim.
Accommodations
Below, the cabin offers 6-foot standing headroom and sleeps six on foam-cushioned forward vee berths, twin single side berths, and a double stern berth under the cockpit. The standard galley pairs a two-burner alcohol stove with a stainless steel cover, a 10-gallon water tank, and a stainless steel sink, while provisioning space allows one 50-pound and one 100-pound icebox. Light comes from six side windows and a translucent forward hatch. The head is fully enclosed. Testers thought the double stern berth space would be better used as storage, and the smaller icebox sits underneath the companionway where it is difficult to reach even for a casual drink.
Known Issues
The cockpit is small for a 26-foot boat, a trade noted by the period review against the otherwise family-oriented layout. The awkward placement of the smaller icebox under the companionway is a recurring annoyance rather than a defect. Steering response depends on the rudder-shaft collar being properly set; if the rudder goes slack, tightening that collar restores control.
Refits and Ownership
Power options span a Chrysler Sailor 6 or 10 HP outboard mounted on a specially built stern attachment, or a Yanmar 8 HP diesel inboard, with controls and fuel tanks hidden in the lazarette and a throttle handle like those in small runabouts. Chrysler offered "Custom Mated Sailboat Trailers," and options ran to bow pulpit, stern rail, lifelines, halyard winches, spinnaker with pole, boom vang, mast-raising bridle, jiffy reefing, and bimini or dodger canvas. The active Chrysler Sailors club and the earlier Chrysler Sailing Association give owners a ready support network.
The Verdict
The Chrysler 26 is a thoughtfully packaged trailerable cruiser that punches above its length for family comfort, with a rig engineered for single-handed mast handling and a hull that stays responsive in a breeze. The small cockpit and awkward icebox placement are the main ergonomic compromises, but the boat's modular power and trailering ecosystem keep ownership practical.
Pros
- Halsey Herreshoff cruiser design with active class-club support
- Single-handed mast raising via hinged step and aft-winch line system
- Easy centerboard crank and crisp tiller response in strong wind
- Six berths, enclosed head, 6-foot headroom, good natural light
Cons
- Cockpit small for the boat's size
- Smaller icebox hard to reach under the companionway
- Stern berth space better as storage than sleeping
