Design and Construction
The Voyager 26 measures 25 feet 9 inches overall, with a 21-foot-3-inch waterline, an 8-foot-3-inch beam, and a 3-foot-4-inch draft. She displaces roughly 6,700 pounds and carries 2,750 pounds of lead ballast.
Her solid-fiberglass monohull has a long keel and a moderately cutaway forefoot. The cutaway gives her better maneuverability than a pure full-keel ancestor while retaining the directional stability and sea-kindly character of the double-ended shape.
Three builders produced the Voyager 26 during her lifetime. All stayed close to the original plans and were committed to building her well.
With a displacement-to-length ratio of 311, she falls into the heavy-cruiser category. Her ballast ratio is 41 percent, and her capsize screening value is 1.75, making her a conservatively stable small boat.
The cockpit is a good size, though its footwell is intentionally shallow. This limits the amount of water it can hold if the boat is ever pooped by a following sea, but it also leaves less room for the crew to stretch out.
Rig and Handling
The well-balanced cutter rig offers a useful range of sail combinations for different wind conditions. The Voyager 26 also sails equally well as a sloop with a mainsail and genoa.
She carries 360 square feet of sail and has a sail-area-to-displacement ratio of 16.21. That is enough to make her faster than most boats of her genre, despite her heavy-cruiser displacement. Theoretical hull speed is about 6.2 knots.
Her running rigging is modest. The jib and genoa sheets are about 26 feet long and 3/8 inch in diameter. The mainsheet is about 65 feet, while the spinnaker sheets are about 57 feet; both also use 3/8-inch line. Auxiliary power comes from a modest 12 hp diesel.
Accommodations
Below, the Voyager 26 provides comfortable, roomy accommodations for four. The layout includes an efficient galley and a private head. Just as importantly, the berths are suitable for sleeping rather than merely perching.
For a 26-foot double-ender, it’s a considered use of the available volume, giving priority to rest and basic cruising needs rather than appearances.
Verdict
The Voyager 26 is a thoughtfully evolved double-ender. She retains the offshore demeanor of the Archer-Atkin tradition but offers better sailing performance, all in a practical, well-built fiberglass hull produced by several conscientious builders. She is a small boat that behaves like a larger one in comfort and sea sense.
Pros
- Double-ended, long-keel hull with a cutaway forefoot for seakeeping and control
- Well-balanced cutter rig with flexible sail combinations
- Roomy, sleepable accommodations for four, including a private head
- Conservative stability and heavy-cruiser construction in a pocket-size boat
Cons
- Shallow cockpit footwell limits room for the crew to stretch out
- Modest 12 hp diesel and 360-square-foot sail area suit simple cruising rather than speed
