HUNTER 26
Specifications
Hull
| LOA | 25.75 ft |
| LWL | 23.16 ft |
| Beam | 9 ft |
| Draft | 6 ft/ 1.75 ft min |
| Displacement | 4,600 lb |
| Ballast | 2,000.1 lb |
| Hull speed1.34·√LWL | 6.4 kn |
Rig & Sails
| Iforetriangle height | 28.33 ft |
| Jforetriangle base | 9.42 ft |
| Pmainsail luff | 30.08 ft |
| Emainsail foot | 10.5 ft |
| FLforestay | 9.4 ft |
| Mainsail | 304 sq ft |
| Jib (100%) | 133.4 sq ft |
| Spinnaker | 226.8 sq ft |
Engine
| Yanmar | 1GM109 hpSee all 53 parts → |
About the HUNTER 26
Water ballast model.(Water stays in place for sailing and pumped out for trailering.) Replaced by the HUNTER 260 which is very similar.
Designed by Rob Mazza and built by Hunter Marine (USA) from 1994–1997, the Hunter 26 is a popular fractional sloop with a displacement of 4600.0 lb and a beam of 9.0 ft. While specific hull production numbers are unverified, the model is widely recognized for its interior volume and coastal cruising comfort.
- Best for:
- This boat is best suited for coastal cruisers and weekend sailors who prioritize interior space and ease of handling over high-performance racing or heavy offshore passage-making.
- Bluewater capability:
- With a low D/L ratio of 165.31 and a capsize ratio of 2.17, the Hunter 26 is designed for light, comfortable coastal cruising rather than serious bluewater passagemaking.
- Comparables:
- Comparable boats from this era include the Beneteau First 26 and the O'Day 262, which share similar fractional sloop rigs and target the same market of affordable, family-oriented coastal cruisers.
Performance
Liveaboard Score
How suitable the HUNTER 26is for living aboard full-time, by crew. “Not recommended” means the design is too cramped for that crew — not just short on length.
- ✓Affordable to own & maintain
- ✓Roomy, comfortable interior
- !Lively / rolly at anchor
Estimated Value
Medium ConfidenceAsking price by model year
22 listings · boat years 1993–2003 · median $13,000
Each dot is one listing · hover for details · dashed red line marks the median · obvious data-entry outliers (top & bottom 2.5%) excluded.
Estimated Cost of Ownership
Based on 25.75ft LOA. Actual costs vary by condition, usage, and local rates.
Featured YouTube Videos
Articles & Reviews
Known Issues & Pre-Purchase Inspection
30 reported issues across 9 systems for the HUNTER 26, compiled from owner reports in sailing forums and owner-association material.
Unlock the full inspection report
Thinking of buying a HUNTER 26? This is an in-depth report on the faults this model is known for — so you know exactly what to check when you walk the boat. For the price of a coffee.
- ✓ All 30 specific issues — severity, symptoms & fixes
- ✓ Model-specific pre-purchase inspection checklist
- ✓ Downloadable PDF to take to your surveyor — yours to keep
One-time $2.99 · secure checkout by Stripe · instant access · 30 days online, PDF yours to keep
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Engine Parts & Maintenance
The engines most commonly fitted to this model. “All parts” opens the engine's full catalogue; each part links to a matching listing on 
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Used sails that fit the HUNTER 26
Checking eBay for sails sized to this boat's rig…