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| © Yachtsnet Ltd. 2000/2024 |
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Yachtsnet's
archive of boat details and pictures
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The following information and photographs are
displayed as a service to anyone researching yacht types. HOWEVER THE PHOTOGRAPHS AND TEXT ARE COVERED BY COPYRIGHT, AND MAY NOT BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE PERMISSION OF YACHTSNET LTD. Details and photographs
are normally based on one specific yacht, but could be a compilation.
No reliance should be placed on other yachts of the same class being
identical. Where common variations exist, we have endeavoured
to indicate this in these archive details. |
Sadler 26 |
Brief details |
Builder |
Sadler Yachts |
The Sadler
26 is a small family cruiser with a good turn of speed, and
'unsinkable' foam-filled twin-skin moulding construction.
This attribute was tested by a well known yachting magazine
by sailing her with seacocks open: they found she continued
to sail and be stable even when filled. Most boats were fin
or bilge-keeled, but drop keel and tandem (Collins) keel variants
were also built. |
LOA |
25' 9" |
Sail area |
376 sq ft main and genoa |
LWL |
20' 6" |
Rig |
sloop |
Beam |
9' 5" |
Cabins |
2 |
Draught |
4' 8" fin keel, 3' 6" bilge keels, 3' 10"
tandem keel or 2'3" to 4' 6" drop keel |
Berths |
5 |
Displacement |
4,800 lbs |
Engine |
inboard diesel |
Ballast |
1,750 lbs to 2,000 lbs (varies depending on keel type) |
BHP |
usually Bukh or Volvo 10-12 hp |
Keel type |
Fin, bilge keel, tandem or drop keel options,
all with transom-hung rudder |
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The Sadler 25 was designed by David
Sadler in 1974 as a more modern and spacious replacement
for Folkboat style yachts such as the Contessa 26. The
design quickly became popular, and one did well in the
1980 singlehanded OSTAR transatlantic race. In 1981
the enlarged Sadler 26, which also featured 'unsinkable'
construction, was designed by Martin Sadler, David's
son. About 200 Sadler 26s were built between 1981 and 1988, when Sadlers went into administration. You will occasionally see Sadler 26s listed as built after 1988: these must be owner-completed "kit" boats where the owner has taken some time to complete the fitout.
The Sadler 26 hulls are GRP with a full GRP inner moulding,
the space between these shells being filled with injected
polyurethane foam, making the assembly both stiff and
unsinkable. The downside to this is that as these boats
age, some examples may be found which have absorbed some water
into the foam, making them more prone to osmosis. Like
any yacht which sails well, these boats have always
attracted owners who sail them hard, and this is often
reflected in a lot of wear and tear. |
Sailing performance of both Sadler 25s
and 26s are excellent, a fin-keel version 26 completing
the very tough 1985 Round Britain Race, which many bigger
boats failed to finish. Many more bilge-keel versions
were built than fin-keelers, however, although the performance
of these bilge keel yachts is still good, the twin keels
being fairly deep and well designed. |
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