Pearson 26

mmcginnis · #1 (**permalink**) 07-18-2007

I've been considering a P26 for my family and really just had a question about comfort.

It's my wife and I and our three young children (10, 7, and 5). I would think that for day/weekend nights, lake sailing, that it would be fine (this would be it's use probably 90% of the time). My only concern is if friends come with their children.

Is the cockpit large enough for four adults? Will it sleep four adults? I figure we can fit the kids in nooks, crannies and cubby-holes (lol). And in the end we wouldn't have to stay on the boat, we could just head home or whatever. (It'll be docked about an hour from the house.)

I've read great things about this boat and it would be our first, so it seems like a great fit if it's not too small.

When I was in college a teacher took a class of about ten students sailing on his 25' boat for the afternoon. We were draped all over the thing, but I've always remembered it and I'm now finally getting a boat.

Thanks!

Mike

knotaloud · #2 (**permalink**) 07-18-2007

Sounds like too many people to me. It might be loads of fun, but probably not real safe.

sailingdog · #3 (**permalink**) 07-19-2007

A 26' boat is going to be small IMHO for five people...even if three are kids.

mmcginnis · #4 (**permalink**) 07-19-2007

Cool thanks!

Any thoughts on a minimum size for five people - 28'?

A little uncomfortable would be ok. Safety would be the real issue.

wind_magic · #5 (**permalink**) 07-19-2007

I have a 26 foot Pearson. I could sleep 2 comfortably in the forward V, an extra 1 that might not be that comfortable in the main, and that's about it. Maybe one on the floor but they would be listening to an inch of bilge water swishing around right next to their ear. I think my boat is great for single handing, and maybe even for a close couple, but I would not want to have more than that on it for any amount of time. If it was just to go out on the water for a sail then I could pile quite a few on the boat for a few hours.

Jotun · #6 (**permalink**) 07-19-2007

I think a 26 is fine for day sails for 5, especially if 3 are kids. I am not sure how the P 26 is laid out, but it might tight on overnights. Still, I bet it can be done. My family of 4 has slept often enough on our 27.

saurav16 · #7 (**permalink**) 07-19-2007

For some of the club races I crew on a P26. Its ok for handicaped racing with a crew of four but overnighting four ppl it would seem to be a bit tight. Daysailing with four or five ppl in my opinion would be fine.

sailingdog · #8 (**permalink**) 07-19-2007

I'd say a 28–30' boat would be about right...

jackytdunaway · #9 (**permalink**) 07-19-2007

I have a P27 and for daysailing 4 to 5 adults is ok if one stays on the bow or the cabin most of the time. 4 in the cockpit is fine. 2 adults and 1 to 2 children overnite is fine. a P-26 is probably less roomy than the 1' would seem like. for 2 adults and 3 kids would be real tough after a few times when the novlty runs out.

BarryL · #10 (**permalink**) 07-19-2007

Hi,

I'm not familiar with that boat, but for day sails, it should be big enough. My first boat was a Catalina 22, it was great for day sails with 6 people (3 adults, 3 young kids). Overnight stays are another story.

When I wanted to start spending nights and weekends aboard, a larger boat was required. I looked at 27' boats like Catalina 27, Tartan 27, etc. They seemed too small. I really wanted a Catalina 30, but I stumbled upon a Newport 28 and it was big enough. I bought it and happily sailed it for a few years. It was great for day sails, and overnight trips (for 5), and Ok for a weekend, but too small for anything larger than that. Everyone got a bunk, the galley was OK, that sort of thing. The problem was that when everyone was in bed there was NO room to move around. I got tired of that after a year or two and moved up to an O'day 35.

Anyway, if you want to mostly day sail, and spend a night aboard every now and the, a 28' boat like the Newport 28, O'day 28, etc. would be big enough.

Good luck,
Barry