Winner 8 Buyer's Guide
The Winner 8 is a Dutch-designed, trailerable cruiser-racer from Winner Yachts, drawn by Van de Stadt and offered in both cruising and performance forms. On the used market she appeals to owners who want a 26-foot 3-inch boat they can tow behind a family vehicle, launch for a weekend on inland water, and still race on Saturday. Every example shares twin rudders, tiller steering with engine controls aft, and a forward-positioned traveller, but keel and fit-out vary by original order.
Layouts on the Used Market
Below, the Winner 8 gives near standing headroom and sleeping for five, with a double quarter berth extending to the transom and a separate heads compartment to starboard of the companionway. The galley sits forward of the head and is adequate rather than expansive. Two keel choices define the used fleet: the standard 1.00 m draft suits almost all inland lakes, while the 1.50 m keel was offered for those sailing deeper venues. The performance version differs in a lighter bulb and an 83-square-foot larger sail plan, so a used buyer should confirm which rig and keel an individual hull carries before comparing values.
Equipment and Common Upgrades
Because most cabin and deck fittings are upgradable, used boats range from bare to well-appointed. The engine is a Yanmar 1GM10 saildrive of 9.1 horsepower, tucked under the companionway steps, and a retractable bowsprit is housed beneath the deck for off-wind sails. Common owner additions cluster around comfort and sail handling: the stove and refrigerator were cited as upgradable items, and storage options were similarly adaptable. A deeper draft keel is the other principal variant rather than an aftermarket add-on. Buyers should treat the performance model's lighter bulb and larger sail area as the meaningful performance differentiator, not stereos or dishes.
What to Inspect
The Winner 8 is a high-quality GRP production boat by Winner Yachts, built with isophthalic resins to prevent osmotic blistering. The deck and hull are laminated from inside for a leakproof joint, so examine that bond line and the twin-rudder bearings. Confirm the retractable bowsprit mechanism beneath the deck operates smoothly and that the whip-mounted backstay clears the square-top main through tacks. With the Yanmar saildrive tucked under the companionway steps, inspect the saildrive seal and the surrounding steps for moisture ingress.
Availability and Buyer's Takeaway
Regional availability was not detailed in the brief, so shoppers should simply scan their local trailer-sailer market. For a Winner 8, verify the keel draft and whether it is the performance model; check the upgradable galley and head fittings against your plans; exercise the bowsprit and traveller; and confirm the saildrive and hull-deck bond are dry. She remains a practical small cruiser-racer whose trailerable weight and adaptable layout reward a careful used-boat survey.
Comparable models
Similar length, displacement, and era. Open a row to compare that model's market page.
Similar boats to compare
2 similar designs| Model | LOA | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tofinou 8 | 26.25' | $ 92,644 | 29 | 4 |
| Saffier SC 8 M | 27.89' | $ 136,838 | 14 | 6 |