Hake 26 RK Buyer's Guide
Shopping the brokerage market for a Seaward 26RK — the retractable-keel model Nick Hake began building in 2005 — means chasing a small, purpose-built run of about 250 boats rather than a high-volume class. The 28-foot-4-inch hull with an 8-foot-4-inch road-legal beam and 15-inch minimum draft defines the appeal: a trailerable coastal cruiser that can also stand up to a 6-foot deployed foil. Because production has stayed limited, the used Seaward 26RK boats are dominated by owner-maintained examples where the early-versus-late build differences matter more than cosmetic wear.
Layouts on the Used Market
The interior is consistent across the class: approximately 5 feet 10 inches of headroom throughout, a V-berth as the main sleeping choice, and berths for four that are more than 6 feet long. The 34-inch table rotates amidships for dining on both sides, and the 48-inch galley to port carries an icebox, stove, and sink while the enclosed head compartment to starboard measures 32 inches by 40 inches with shower and toilet. Above, the cockpit is 8 feet 4 inches by 5 feet 2 inches with seats 16 inches wide that comfortably seat four, and a starboard locker more than 6 feet long supports gear stowage. The boat does suffer a paucity of bulk storage space unless the aft quarterberth is used for that purpose, so assess how the prior owner configured that space.
Equipment and Common Upgrades
On the used market, a bimini and a chartplotter are commonly fitted, while an inverter, code zero, and hot water are often seen. Less commonly found are air conditioning, self-tacking jib, spinnaker, furling main, cockpit shower, and autopilot, which tend to appear as owner upgrades rather than standard equipment. The original deck plan carries an Edson wheel, Andersen headsail winches midway along the cockpit coaming, a Schaefer furler, and Super Sails standard canvas; an optional inboard Yanmar diesel distinguishes some boats from the outboard-equipped norm, and the keel lines run to a Rule Industries 20SS motor housed in a fiberglass box beneath the mast.
What to Inspect
Early models carried a rudder that couldn't be fully retracted, extending about 12 to 18 inches below the hull, so verify whether the example is a pre-2010 boat with that limitation or a later build where the rudder redesigned so it lifted all the way up in the cassette. Later builds also moved to a bolt-on keel by 2010, and bulb weight rose from 800 pounds on early boats to 1,000 pounds on later builds against a total ballast of 1,200 pounds — confirm which bulb your candidate carries. The deck is cored with Divinycell foam and hardware is tapped into 1/8-inch aluminum plates, so check for soft spots or leaked fasteners around cleats and the shroud bases. The hull-to-deck joint is an inverted-J with stainless screws every six inches, and the stern-hung rudder has a pin at its head to prevent lift-out; inspect that pin and the carbon-fiber leading edge for impact damage.
Availability and Buyer's Takeaway
The typical market for these boats is the United States. When evaluating a specific Seaward 26RK, keep a short checklist: confirm model year relative to the 2010 keel and rudder changes; verify bulb weight and keel type; inspect deck core and aluminum-plated hardware seats; check the rudder pin and sheath; and decide whether the standard Edson wheel intrusion and limited bulk storage suit your cruising style. A careful look at the early-build shortcomings will separate a capable shallow-draft cruiser from a compromised one.
Price & volume trends
Monthly asking-price and listing-volume trends for the Hake 26 RK. The line shows the median ask each month; the bars show how many listings appeared.
Monthly breakdown · 6 rows
| Month | Listings | Median ask | Δ vs. last mo. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 25 | 1 | $ 49,999 | — |
| Dec 25 | 1 | $ 35,000 | -30.0% |
| Jan 26 | 1 | $ 35,000 | 0.0% |
| Mar 26 | 2 | $ 53,249 | +52.1% |
| Apr 26 | 1 | $ 52,999 | -0.5% |
| Jun 26 | 7 | $ 79,900 | +50.8% |
Where they're listed
Hake 26 RK listings appear across 1 country. United States has the most listings with 13.
Country view
13 listings · 1 country| Country | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $ 52,999 | 13 | 8 | 100.0% |
Comparable models
Similar length, displacement, and era. Open a row to compare that model's market page.
Similar boats to compare
5 similar designs| Model | LOA | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hake / Seaward 32 RK | 34.58' | $ 94,000 | 18 | 6 |
| Cornish Crabbers 26 | 26.21' | $ 87,045 | 14 | 4 |
| Hake / Seaward 26 RKYou are here | — | $ 52,999 | 13 | 8 |
| Seaward 26 RK | 28.42' | $ 60,000 | 12 | 5 |
| Seascape 27 | 26.21' | $ 118,124 | 12 | 4 |