Evolution 26 Sailboats for Sale

Drawing Diagram

Builder drawing

Hull Type

Monohull · lifting

Rig

Masthead Sloop

LOA

25.75' · 7.85 m

Disp.

4,853 lbs · 2,201 kg

First year

1976

The Evolution 26 stands as a quintessential example of the "performance cruiser" ethos that emerged from the UK in the late 1970s. Designed by Julian Everitt and built by Evolution Yachts in Southampton, this 25.75foot masthead sloop was engineered to bridge the gap between competitive Quarter Ton racing and family coastal cruising. Unlike many of its contemporaries that utilized fixed fins, the Evolution 26 was defined by its innovative vertical lifting keel, which retracted fully into the hull. This feature not only allowed the boat to access shallow estuaries and "take the ground" in tidal harbors but also lowered the center of gravity significantly when deployed, providing a level of stability often missing in trailorable yachts of this era.