Design and Construction
At 26 feet overall with a 23-foot-4-inch waterline and a 9-foot-3-inch beam, the Seal 26 carries 5,000 pounds of displacement against 2,251 pounds of lead ballast on a 45 percent ballast-displacement ratio, figures that place her firmly in the light-and-stiff camp rather than the heavy-bluewater tradition. The deep, high-aspect ratio drop keel gives her a draft range from 1 foot 3 inches to 5 feet 6 inches, so she can sit on a drying mooring or be run up a beach when conditions warrant beached when the going gets tough. The hull is solid fiberglass with a solid fiberglass deck, and one owner, Graham, chose to add a watertight bulkhead 18 inches from the transom in his own boat — a practical reinforcement, though not a factory standard.
Rig and Handling
The boat is rigged as an efficient 7/8 fractional sloop on a deck-stepped, single-spreader mast, with the cap shroud ending at the top of the forestay and an adjustable backstay to bend the rig as needed deck-stepped single-spreader mast. Mainsheet travel is handled by a four-part block system anchored to a stainless horse over the companionway, centered on the cockpit sole. Tiller steering with an extension gives her a dinghy-like feel, and the centreboard is raised just as you would in a dinghy while the rudder lifts up to clear shoal water. She is tenderish and quick to dip over, yet owners report she never felt unsafe except in a short, sharp, steep sea where she takes off from a wave and slams.
Accommodations
Factory descriptions credit the Seal 26 with well-fitted, comfortable accommodation for up to five, and writing in Sailing Today, reviewers awarded four stars for accommodation, describing it as much better than you would expect in such a fast boat better than expected in a fast boat. The same review gave five stars for performance. The space is tight, however, and best suits a family only while the children are young; there is no dedicated navigation station, which limits her as a serious passage-maker despite the proof of one fixed-keel sister, Malaika, that crossed the Atlantic and went trans-Pacific to Honolulu.
Equipment and Power
Original boats shipped with a 9.9hp outboard mounted on rails so the engine could be lifted clear of the water when sailing, and a fairing plug filled the aperture to smooth flow once the outboard was raised outboard lifted clear when sailing. That arrangement keeps the hull clean underway and simplifies trailing and storage.
The Verdict
The Super Seal 26 is a distinctive small fast cruiser that trades absolute interior volume for sparkling performance and rare shoal-draft flexibility. Ron Holland's racing pedigree shows in the rig and the quick, dinghy-like responses, while the lifting keel and beachable hull make her unusually versatile for a 26-footer. She is not a roomy weekender for grown families, but for a couple or a young family she remains a compelling used proposition.
Pros
- Excellent sailing performance with a 7/8 fractional rig and adjustable backstay
- Lifting keel and lifting rudder allow 1ft 3in draft, drying moorings, and beaching
- Light, stiff construction with strong ballast ratio for the size
- Outboard-on-rails setup keeps the hull clean underway
Cons
- Tender and quick to heel; slams in short steep seas
- Tight accommodation with no dedicated navigation space
- Best only for young families given the confined interior
