Design and Lineage
The Corneel 26 sits at the small end of the catamaran spectrum with an 18-foot beam and a centerboard keel giving a maximum draft of 8 feet 10 inches, paired with a fractional sloop rig carrying 408 square feet of sail and a sail-area-to-displacement ratio of 41.34. Bruneel and Cornic had previously launched the Corneel 18 sports cat in the early 1980s before scaling up to this 26-foot expression of the same idea. Fountaine Pajot, then a young multihull builder, was producing the Corneel 26 at a pace of roughly one hull a week. The hull and deck are PVC-foam-cored fiberglass sandwich construction with lead ballast, and the capsize screening ratio of 5.74 reflects the stability profile typical of a light, beamy day-cruising cat.
Performance
This is a boat built for speed and playfulness rather than passage-making. Bruneel set out to create a day-boat catamaran that was lively and fun, and the published record notes the Corneel 26 is capable of reaching 20 knots anchor. At 1,984 pounds displacement, the light weight and modest wetted surface of the twin-hull form let the boat accelerate readily, while the centerboard can be raised for shallow exploration or lowered for upwind bite.
Accommodations
Multihulls World described the Corneel 26 as able to accommodate the family for a few nights at a time, positioning it as a weekend pocket cruiser rather than a full liveaboard. The same source framed the boat as one that could be put away and forgotten about for the winter, underscoring its role as an uncomplicated seasonal toy. The interior volume of a beamy 18-foot catamaran gives roomier overnight space than a monohull of similar length would allow, though the design's purpose was daytime pleasure first.
Ownership and Storage
The Corneel 26's light weight and winter-storage profile made it a candidate for owners who wanted a multihull without year-round marina commitments. Fountaine Pajot's early production rhythm of one per week suggests a modest but steady run aimed at the sports-cat and day-sailor market rather than bluewater cruisers.
The Verdict
The Corneel 26 is a focused design: a small, fast, fun catamaran from the mid-1980s that bridged dinghy-style excitement and minimal family cruising. Its strength is sheer enjoyment afloat and easy seasonal storage; its limits are inherent to the size and intent.
Pros
- Capable of 20 knots under sail anchor
- Beamy catamaran layout accommodates family for short trips anchor
- Simple to lay up for winter anchor
- Light, foam-cored construction with lead ballast
Cons
- Limited to few-night outings, not extended cruising
- Small size constrains accommodations and payload
