Paceship PY 26 Buyer's Guide
The Paceship PY 26 is a 26-foot fiberglass cruiser with 364 produced under Paceship and later AMF. It comes as a fixed-fin keel model and, from 1979, a centerboard variant. For a shopper on the brokerage market, the boat offers a surprising amount of interior room and a stable hull, but the iron keel and two production lineages mean a careful look at specifics is warranted.
Layouts on the Used Market
Two interior layouts dominate the used fleet. Canadian-built boats have a conventional starboard settee and no L-shaped galley, while AMF-built boats feature an L-shaped galley with the starboard settee carried through the main bulkhead to open needed foot space under the head sink anchor. Both share a V-berth forward with a tiny forepeak, a head compartment opening into the forward cabin, two saloon settees, a quarter berth aft of the port settee, and a folding dinette table. The centerboard version adds a ballasted stub keel with board up draft of 2 feet 7 inches, but its 9-foot 6-inch beam makes trailering impractical on standard highways.
Equipment and Common Upgrades
Propulsion is the first split to check. The standard boat was fitted for outboard propulsion with a transom bracket and gas tank stowage, typically 7.5 to 9.9 hp anchor. Most survey responders, however, have an 8-hp Yanmar diesel inboard instead. Sanitation runs from a standard Porta-Pottie to an optional Wilcox-Crittenden through-hull toilet. Galley gear includes a 125-lb icebox and a two-burner alcohol stove that may be gimbaled or fixed flush depending on the boat.
Beyond those, buyer-consequence upgrades to look for cluster around power and energy—diesel inboard conversions versus outboard brackets—and sail handling, where the masthead sloop rig with keel-stepped mast and stainless wire shrouds is original but may have aged standing rigging. Navigation and canvas are owner-dependent and best judged on inspection.
What to Inspect
The cast-iron fin keel is the headline concern: unlike lead, it can rust, so check for corrosion and any prior repair at the keel-hull joint anchor. The transom-hung rudder should be examined at its mounts for wear. On centerboard models, inspect the external pivoting board and stub keel for fouling or damage. Confirm which build lineage you are looking at, as the AMF L-galley and Canadian conventional settee change stowage and footroom.
Availability and Buyer's Takeaway
The fleet is small at 364 boats, so patience may be needed in any given area. When you go to look, keep this short list:
- Verify keel type (fin iron / centerboard) and check iron for rust
- Confirm propulsion: outboard bracket or Yanmar inboard
- Note build line: Canadian teak toerail/conventional settee vs AMF aluminum toerail/L-galley
- Inspect transom rudder mounts and centerboard pivot if fitted
- Check head door configuration against any planned V-berth insert
Price & volume trends
Monthly asking-price and listing-volume trends for the Paceship PY 26. The line shows the median ask each month; the bars show how many listings appeared.
Monthly breakdown · 1 row
| Month | Listings | Median ask | Δ vs. last mo. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 26 | 3 | $4,900 | — |
Where they're listed
Paceship PY 26 listings appear across 1 country. United States has the most listings with 3.
Country view
3 listings · 1 country| Country | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $4,900 | 3 | 3 | 100.0% |
Comparable models
Similar length, displacement, and era. Open a row to compare that model's market page.
Similar boats to compare
4 similar designs| Model | LOA | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sadler 26 | 25.75' | $ 12,137 | 28 | 7 |
| Pearson 26 | 26.12' | $ 6,000 | 9 | 5 |
| MacWester 26 | 26' | $ 4,758 | 6 | 1 |
| Paceship PY 26You are here | — | $ 4,900 | 3 | 3 |