COLGATE 26 Features

Safety

Positive foam flotation to make boat virtually unsinkable
VHF radio, battery and solar panel for emergency communication
Massive tiller head and rudder post (a weak point on many boats)
Roller furling jib for quick sail area reduction
Easy reefing system for fast mainsail area reduction
Balanced so well, can be sailed easily with mainsail alone or with just the jib
Solid boomvang, so boom cannot fall on sailors aboard
High boom and gooseneck to reduce chance of boom hitting a sitting person
Bulkhead mounted compass for navigation
All required navigation lights for nighttime operation
All cockpit hatches are self bailing and don't open into cabin
Only way for water to get inside is through the companionway hatch
Boat is stable, floats so high, water has yet to get in cabin even in full knockdown
No through hull openings in the standard boat
Battery is sunken into flooring and strapped in position
Traveler is aft of crew, so mainsheet won’t snag a person in a flying jibe
Extra mainsheet release on traveler for instructor control
Cockpit pump to bail bilge
Four 4-bolt cleats for secure towing
Bow eye for secure tie-down on trailer or a safety line at mooring
Overbuilt mast and oversized stays and shrouds to reduce chance of losing mast
Swept back spreaders – mast is safe if backstay is broken; no need for running backs
Eight oversized stainless bolts securing the keel
Low transom for ease of getting a person back on board
Rigid railings along cockpit for safety
Stainless eye in anchor locker to secure bitter end of anchorline

Durability, reparability and other features

Solid rubber bumper over hull/deck connection
Hull/deck connection bonded and bolted with stainless bolts about every six inches
Solid fiberglass hull for ease of repair
Stainless mast tabernacle for ease of raising mast
Self bailing cockpit storage locker on starboard side
Self bailing cockpit locker on port side
Winch handles float, can't be lost overboard (many dropped over side in Offshore Saililng School “crew overboard” practice, all retrieved)
Fiberglass reinforced for additional strength in bow, keel attachment area, stanchion base connections and mast support
Stainless steel outboard motor bracket standard equipment
Lockable storage in cockpit
Extra fuel tank compartment
Deck sandwiched with corecell foam for extra rigidity
Non-skid rougher than normal for a boat this size
Surprisingly dry boat - rubrail deflects waves outboard
Bow pulpit does not extend past bow (to avoid bending on pilings or sea walls)
The only wood on the Colgate 26 is the tiller
Massive bronze tiller head (same as used on much larger 33-foot boats)
Rudder rotates 360 degrees without hitting

Easy transition to larger boats

Self-tailing winches
Rope clutches for reef lines and halyards
Cockpit bilge pump
Roller furling jib drum and furling line
Lighting fuse panel
Anchor well
Reefing ears on gooseneck fitting
Solid boomvang

Easy transition to any racing boat

Adjustable backstay
Adjustable outhaul
Traveler
Cunningham
Full spinnaker gear – pole, topping lift, foreguy, guy, sheet, Harken ratchet blocks
Twings for spinnaker guy and sheet with cam cleats
Adjustable jib fairlead cars
Windex masthead fly
Bulkhead compass
Tiller extension

Racing efficiency

Non-overlapping jib, so spinnaker pole can be set to leeward
Rigid cockpit railings – comfortable to lean against with legs over the side
Clean, uncluttered deck
Backstay and traveler lines lead to both sides – adjustable when hiking out
Self-tailing winch for spinnaker guy

Comfort while cruising and day sailing

Portable head (makes it easier to stay out longer without coming in for a pit stop)
Insulated cooler for cold drinks to avoid dehydration
6' V-berth and two 7' 3" long, 2' wide quarter berths
Interior light
Self bailing rope and fender cockpit locker on starboard side
Self bailing storage cockpit locker on port side
Optional sink, optional berth cushions
Outboard bracket for small outboard easily attached and steered by

Sail plan

Large, well-designed mainsail allows comfortable sailing without jib
Double reefs in main provide comfortable sailing in heavy weather
Roller furling jib when fully out allows comfortable sailing without mainsail
Jib sail area can be reduced with Harken roller furling unit for heavy weather sailing
Neither main nor jib needs to be removed after sailing – jib roller furls, main slides down for slab reefing easily
Optional UV cover for mainsail and tiller protects cloth and varnished tiller.
Furled jib has leech UV cover when rolled
All controls for main and jib lead back to cockpit for handling ease
Spinnaker is symmetrical, making it more fun and easier to handle in tight racing
Excellent Harken blocks provided for leading spinnaker guy and sheet, easily trimmed from cockpit
Full spinnaker gear included – pole, guys, sheets, down haul, topping lift, halyards

Click here to order your new Colgate 26.

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