Design Brief & Intent
Dick Newick’s fundamental design philosophy was simple: speed under sail is inherently fun, and weight is the enemy of speed. The Outrigger 26 was conceived to deliver the sensation of a grand-prix racing multihull in a platform that could still be trailered and accommodated two people for light, spartan weekend cruising. At its core, the design was optimized to challenge the monohulls and early production multihulls of its era, such as the immensely popular Corsair F-27. However, where Corsair achieved trailerability through Ian Farrier’s patented vertical folding swing-wing system, Newick and the Outrigger Boat Company opted for an entirely different, demountable approach.
The Outrigger 26 features a wide 21-foot beam when assembled, but it does not fold on a hinge. Instead, the boat utilizes curved, "mastodon-tusk" shaped crossbeams (akas) that socket directly into receivers built into the main hull (vaka) and the outriggers (amas). Rather than being secured with heavy stainless steel bolts or complex mechanical hinges, the entire structure is tensioned and held together using high-strength lashings, trampolines, and the shroud tension itself. This produces a highly dynamic, semi-flexible structure that acts less like a rigid engineering assembly and more like a living creature, flexing and adapting to the contours of passing waves to reduce structural stress.
The interior of the main hull is incredibly narrow and minimalist, featuring simple joinery and molded fiberglass surfaces. Headroom is restricted, and accommodations are limited to a couple of simple berths and basic gear storage. This is not a boat designed for living aboard, but rather a performance vehicle meant for fast coastal hops where the destination is secondary to the thrill of the transit.
The Righting System & Design Variations
The model’s initial name, the Somersault 26, was chosen by its original builders, Bill and Linda Murphy, to highlight a highly ambitious, patented self-righting system designed to alleviate contemporary fears regarding multihull capsize. The system relied on internal blocks of flotation foam strategically placed in the cabin, coupled with a deliberate method to flood the leeward ama through dedicated transom-mounted access ports. If flipped, a solo sailor could flood the low-side ama to sink it, allowing the buoyancy of the cabin foam to help the boat roll back over to an upright state.
Despite the ingenuity of the concept, the market reacted with indifference to the self-righting feature. Buyers and active racers were far more interested in maximizing usable space and reducing weight. Consequently, owners of early Somersault models frequently ripped out the bulky foam blocks to reclaim cabin volume. Recognizing this trend, the builder eventually eliminated the righting system entirely on later hulls, simplifying the build, saving weight, and officially rebranding the boat as the Outrigger 26.
Aside from this evolution in internal buoyancy, the model remained relatively uniform throughout its short production run. All models featured a high-aspect fractional sloop rig with a 32-foot rotating aluminum mast and a deep, daggerboard keel configuration that retracted into a slot in the main hull.
Sailing Performance & Handling
On the water, the Outrigger 26 is nothing short of a rocket ship. With an exceptionally light displacement of just 1,500 pounds and a massive sail area of approximately 355 square feet, the boat boasts a staggering sail area-to-displacement ratio of 43.34. Coupled with a displacement-to-length ratio of 42.86, it is designed to plane and slide through the water with virtually zero drag.
At the helm, the boat delivers instantaneous acceleration in response to the slightest puff of wind. Owners report that the Outrigger 26 will easily sail at double-digit speeds, regularly matching or exceeding the true wind speed in light-to-moderate air, and can comfortably top 20 knots under the right downwind conditions with an asymmetrical spinnaker or drifter flown from the bows. The rotating mast keeps the mainsail exceptionally efficient, while the daggerboard provides excellent pointing ability and minimizes leeway.
Because the hull structure is designed to flex, sailing the Outrigger 26 in a seaway is a unique sensory experience. The hulls give and bend slightly as they meet waves, absorbing energy that would otherwise cause a rigid boat to pound or shudder. This flexibility makes for a surprisingly smooth ride, though the boat is undeniably wet. At speed, spray flies off the active ama bows, and anyone riding on the trampolines or sitting in the small cockpit should expect to wear foul weather gear in anything over 10 knots of breeze.
Structural Integrity & Known Issues
Given the age of these vessels and the experimental nature of lightweight multihull construction in the late 1980s, any surviving Outrigger 26 requires a highly focused structural assessment. While the hulls are fiberglass, they contain wood and composite coring in critical stress areas that are prone to moisture intrusion.
The most common structural vulnerability is rot in the main hull transom, which often bears the load of an outboard motor bracket. Moisture can seep into the transom core around poorly sealed mounting holes, leading to soft wood and delamination. A second major inspection point is the deck-to-hull joints on the outer amas, which are subject to immense twisting forces when sailing hard in wavy conditions. Delamination along these seams must be addressed immediately with epoxy injection or fiberglass tape reinforcement to prevent structural failure.
Additionally, the original wooden or composite lashing bars used to anchor the trampoline nets to the hulls are prone to weathering and rot. Because the structural integrity of the entire boat relies on the tension of these nets and their lashings to keep the akas firmly socketed in place, any degradation of the lashing bars or the high-strength line itself compromises the safety of the vessel. Owners must establish a rigid maintenance schedule to inspect, re-bed, and periodically replace these lashings and supporting bars.
The Verdict
The Outrigger 26 is a rare, exotic, and beautiful example of Dick Newick’s design brilliance. It is not a boat for the casual cruiser who desires a cabin with standing headroom, a fully equipped galley, or a marine head. However, for the purist who views sailing as an athletic, exhilarating pursuit and appreciates the organic aesthetic of classic trimarans, this vessel offers nearly unmatched performance per foot of length. It demands a high level of vigilance in structural maintenance, but rewards its owner with eye-watering speeds and a magical connection to the water.
- Exquisite, eye-catching South Seas styling by a legendary multihull designer.
- Mind-bending light-air performance and top speeds exceeding 20 knots.
- Organic, flexible ride quality that easily absorbs wave impact.
- Easily trailered once fully demounted.
Cons:
- Extremely labor-intensive and slow setup process; assembly and breakdown can take up to four hours, making it impractical for quick day-tripping.
- Minimalist, spartan cabin with virtually no cruising amenities or standing headroom.
- High structural dependency on lashings, trampolines, and sockets, requiring rigorous maintenance.
- Extremely rare with very few hulls produced, making parts and sister-ship advice difficult to find.
