The Design Concept

A boat for all reasons

• Day Sailing
• Round-the-Buoy Racing
• Trailering
•  Training 

Length overall

Steve wanted to keep costs down in building the boat, and reduce requirements applied by the Coast Guard and insurance companies for larger boats. Measuring 25' 8" overall, the Colgate 26 is a Class 1 vessel. Class 2 is 26' to less than 40'. The benefits for owning a Class 1 vessel add value to this boat. It is subject to fewer U.S. Coast Guard requirements at this length and needs only one fire extinguisher instead of two. Length could be pushed to Class 2 status with a 4” bow extension though if that changed. “It's much easier to lengthen a boat than to shorten it,” says Steve. And it is covered under most homeowner insurance policies, which give automatic watercraft liability coverage for boats under 26 feet.

Beam

The boat’s beam of 8’6” had to fall within the maximum legal width for highway towing. Steve realized at the time that J/24s, with a beam of 8' 11", had been towed illegally on highways for years with apparently no problems. However, in recent years some States are starting to use lasers for load measurements and, if the authorities start cracking down, wide loads could be in big trouble. So it’s better to be safe, than sorry!

Weight

Steve wanted a boat that felt and acted like a larger boat . The weight of the Colgate 26 is 2600 pounds. Naval architect Jim Taylor, the designer of the Colgate 26, suggested to Steve an all up weight of 2200 pounds. “I felt the strength of the structure and the thickness of the fiberglass lay-up would be compromised at that weight,” states Steve. I did not want a light boat that would be tossed around by waves, throwing the crew off balance. It needed to feel like a larger, more powerful boat. We agreed on 2600 pounds. We increased sturdiness with a negligible affect on speed and the boat performs just as I expected it to.”

Draft

For stability and performance, Jim Taylor and Steve agreed on a draft of 4' 6" with 1050 pounds of lead in the keel. “I wanted a boat that would not scare beginners, yet would have the performance desired by racing sailors.” On both accounts, the Colgate 26 is "right on."

The complete sail package is standard with the boat.

 Click here to get a quote on your new Colgate 26.

Call 866-842-4355 U.S. and Canada or 239-985-7505 to talk to Steve Colgate.