Express 26 Buyer's Guide
A used Bombay Express 26 is a Walter H. Scott design from the late seventies, produced by New Bombay Trading Co. as a 26-foot fractional-rigged sloop with a stub-and-centerboard keel beneath her. These are American-market boats, and the thin set of measurable facts means a buyer's diligence should center on what can actually be confirmed at the hull.
Layouts on the Used Market
The specification background lists 15 gallons of diesel fuel and 40 gallons of water as fixed tankage. Expect a single 26-foot hull form with the centerboard trunk occupying the saloon or keel area typical of the type. The broad 10.5-foot beam gives a roomy footprint below for the length, and the 7,500-pound displacement carries 2,500 pounds of lead ballast for steadiness at rest.
Equipment and Common Upgrades
A chartplotter is commonly fitted to boats on the market, the one equipment tier the brief records. Beyond that, no often-seen or owner-upgrade gear tiers are listed, so a buyer should treat any autopilot, wind instrument, or sail-handling hardware as individual to the listing rather than standard. The optional inboard Yanmar diesel is worth confirming on any candidate, along with the 15-gallon tank condition.
What to Inspect
The verifiable measure is the load-dependent shoal draft of 2.33 to 2.63 feet from the stub/centreboard keel; at a viewing, confirm the centerboard pivots freely and the trunk shows no staining. Otherwise, inspect to general 1970s fiberglass standards, checking the solid hull for stress or repair and the rigging for worn halyards.
Availability and Buyer's Takeaway
These boats are found in the United States. For a viewing, keep the checklist short:
- Confirm the centerboard trunk is dry and the board moves
- Verify the Yanmar inboard if fitted starts clean
- Check the 15-gallon tank for diesel integrity
- Note the chartplotter as the usual electronics fit
Price & volume trends
Monthly asking-price and listing-volume trends for the Express 26. The line shows the median ask each month; the bars show how many listings appeared.