Hunter 26.5 Sailboats for Sale & Market Overview

Drawing Diagram

Builder drawing

Hull Type

Monohull · wing

Rig

Fractional Sloop

LOA

26.58' · 8.1 m

Disp.

4,400 lbs · 1,996 kg

First year

1985

The Hunter 26.5, produced between 1985 and 1987, represents a pivotal era for Hunter Marine as the builder transitioned from the traditional lines of the Cherubini era toward the more voluminous, performanceoriented cruising designs of the late 20th century. Designed by Cortland Steck, the 26.5 was conceived as a "big" small boat—a vessel capable of providing genuine weekend accommodations for a family while maintaining a manageable 26foot footprint. Unlike the later waterballasted Hunter 26 and 260 models, the 26.5 is a traditional fixedkeel sloop, often featuring a shallowdraft wing keel that reflects the builder’s Florida roots and a commitment to gunkholing. According to the Hunter 26.5 Owner's Manual, the vessel was engineered to maximize structural integrity through the use of a bonded fullhull liner, a technique that increased rigidity while streamlining the interior finish.