Looking at C26's

trev · Post by **trev** » Thu Oct 01, 2009 5:34 pm

After spending 2 days stuck anchored in a bay in the rain and 35-40 mph wind in my C22 I have started looking at C26's. I would like the space and head room of the 26.

I see Chrysler changed the deck from 78 and 79. Does anyone know the reason for the change? I plan on keeping the boat in a slip but also will trailer it a couple times a summer to some exotic Minnesota location. Do you C26 owners consider yours a trailerable sailboat? I use a gin pole on my 22, is the mast stepped the same on a 26?

I am not worried about towing or launching more setup time and differences between the 22 an 26. Thanks

lecker68 · Post by **lecker68** » Thu Oct 01, 2009 6:49 pm

yes C-26 is trailerable as long as your tow vehicle has the tow capacity
and your trailer is in good shape and has working brakes. The mast is stepped the same way on a 26 but I did make a slight modification. I used a 9' piece of 1" black steel pipe with a cap on one end and put 2 eyes in the other end which handles the jib halyard and a double block setup(2 double blocks) which goes to the bow chainplate. Bridles are 4 pcs 1/4"
chain with chain repair links to hook into toe rail and a 1/4" shackle where they meet and a shackle an the mast then 4 rachet straps to mast and gin pole. I have a wheel so I made an aft mast support for stern pulpit with a roller on it so I can do everything alone as most of my sailing is alone too.

tgentry · Post by **tgentry** » Fri Oct 02, 2009 12:47 pm

You'll want a tow vehicle with at least 7,000 lb. towing capacity, and a ladder of some sort to get on the boat. As long as you have that, a C26 (swing keel) is fine trailer sailor.

Once we got our trailer sorted out we've had no issues with towing, setting up and tearing down. It's just like a smaller boat only, uh, bigger!

sailbob · Post by **sailbob** » Fri Oct 02, 2009 1:04 pm

"After spending 2 days stuck anchored in a bay in the rain and 35-40 mph wind in my C22 I have started looking at C26's. I would like the space and head room of the 26."

You got that right I had a 21 footer before I got my 26' - I live on mine during the summer here in Michigan and have been stuck down below for days at a time due to lousy weather. It's like living in a pick-up truck camper (been there done that) but really comfotable for two + a pussy cat.

Trailering my boat "CRYSTA" is a snap though rasing and lowering the mast can be a heart stopper at times (shrouds getting caught, all that weight hanging in space - LOL) but, about as exciting as the 21 footer I had.

ronc98 · Post by **ronc98** » Fri Oct 02, 2009 1:25 pm

I consider my boat easier to get on and off the trailer then getting it into a tight slip in windy conditions. I sail solo all the time and launch is as easy as a power boat!

I love my C-26!

2nd generation · Post by **2nd generation** » Fri Oct 02, 2009 5:56 pm

Came across this listing don't know if it will help but it sounds nice.

http://muskegon.craigslist.org/boa/1398988397.html

trev · Post by **trev** » Sat Oct 03, 2009 4:27 pm

Thanks for the replies. I have a 4x4 truck with a 7500lb trailer weight so pulling and launching shouldn't be a problem. My main concern is with stepping the mast as it is just me and the girlfriend who step the mast on our C22; if it is the same only taller on the C26 then we shouldn't have a problem using a gin pole and bridle setup and we would most likely only trailer away from the slip once or twice a year so we would only be stepping the mast a few times each summer.

I have a RSS feed set up with craigslist so any time someone lists a Chrysler C26 I'll be notified with in a couple minutes. Now I will just sit back and keep my eyes open for a good deal. Until then I'll keep sailing the C22 till the lakes freeze.

tgentry · Post by **tgentry** » Mon Oct 05, 2009 5:44 am

I have rigged our boat with just myself and my 16 year old daughter. No troubles. I think if I really wanted to I could do it by myself.

ronc98 · Post by **ronc98** » Mon Oct 05, 2009 6:41 am

I step my mast solo all the time. It can be done in about 30 minutes if you have things setup correctly. If you are stepping the mast on your c22 yourself it is not much different other then say 5 more feet in length.

NYCSAILOR · Post by **NYCSAILOR** » Mon Oct 05, 2009 7:51 am

lecker,

I would love some more info on the gin pole / bridle set-up you have come-up with... if one end of the gin pole has a pipe cap.. how does it affix to the mast ? also curious how you like the wheel steering on the c-26 and it's pros/cons.. I have a tiller now but will probaby redo the whole rudder deal soon so I may think abou tthe wheel as Edson has a set-up fo rthe c-26..