Thoughts on a Chrysler C-26

[ronc98]

I want to start this by saying that this site has been very helpful and has a ton of information.  I also am very pleased to find a site that follows the KISS concept.  I think the older I get the more I go towards that concept. 

Last year I picked up a 1977 Chrysler c-26 foot sailboat.   It is a swing keel model that is 26 feet long and has a beam of 8 feet.  Its displacement is around 5000 with a ballast of around 2000.   I was new to sailing and figured it was the biggest boat I could find that I could trailer so it would last me awhile.  I have basically taught myself how to sail it in a local lake.  I can tell you the first few times sailing was an experience but now loading unloading docking is rather second nature.  It is a fun boat to single hand.   I know I have a ton of stuff to learn and I am sure over the years I will pick things up well. 

My question is how sea worthy is this design.  It seems to be built like a tank.  There are some problem areas with the chainplate design but i have strengthened those.  In a few years I would like to do some sailing in the Caribean area and wonder if this boat would be safe enough design wise to make those types of trips.  I do understand it is how the boat is equipped that makes it safe.

I guess my question is in general what kind of reputation does this boat have?

[Oldrig]

If I remember correctly, there was a piece on the C-26 in Good Old Boat magazine a few years ago. (If you like KISS sailing on older boats, you should check out that magazine.)

Like so many of the boats built in those days, the Chrysler boats were heavily built and quite solid. You've picked a nice boat to start sailing on.

One potential weak point, as in all swing-keel boats, is the pivot for the centerboard/swing keel. You should check that out when the boat is out of the water.

Maybe some C-26 owners will add the voice of experience to my comments.

Good luck with the Chrysler! Keep us posted.

--Joe

[Gus]

what's up RonC? :) This is Gus from the chryslersailors forum

[TJim]

I'm not familiar with your Chrysler but I have 3 sailboats and one of them is a Balboa 26 with a swing keel.  That's a weakness (my opinion) in any sailboat.  I don't believe it's the kind of keel you want to be taking off-shore....That being
said, it's a great boat for lakes, especially with shallow water or water that runs up and down with the spring run-off....I use mine on the Great Salt Lake and with keel up it draws less than 2 ft so I don't much worry about shallow water and do on occassion help get the 5' fin keels off the bottom.....TJim

[ronc98]

Nice to see you here Gus.

Thanks for the input guys.  I have actually completely stripped my boat over the winter and reworked all the weakness I could think of, plus I got a lot of help on weakness others have found. 

The swing keel was a bit of a worry on deep water.  I was not sure how it would react in heavy seas.  I would think it would have the potential of swinging around when it gets ugly. 

With that being said I plan on taking it to Lake Erie alto this year Ideally however I would like to sail it from the Lake down the Erie Canal and right down the east coast. I think the Swing keel would be very handy in the Bahama's.  I guess the tricky part would be to make the crossing without loosing anything.

[Captain Smollett]

With that being said I plan on taking it to Lake Erie alto this year Ideally however I would like to sail it from the Lake down the Erie Canal and right down the east coast. I think the Swing keel would be very handy in the Bahama's.  I guess the tricky part would be to make the crossing without loosing anything.

Sounds like a fun trip.  Take lots of pics!!

A swing keel boat would be fine for the crossing to the islands - with the right weather window.  That's pretty much the punchline on ANY offshore sailing with ANY small boat.   ;)

[s/v Faith]

The C-22 and the C-26 are great little boats that sail well and are well put together.  Not a super heavy lay up, but you would not want that in a trailer Sailor anyway.

  A friend had a C-22 he offered to me several years ago.  I sailed it with him a few times and was pleased.  I had posted a link to SailFar on the Chrysler Sailor's site back when this site started.  Glad to see some Chrysler Sailors here, as they are so well suited to small boat cruising.  ;D

[s/v Faith]

Almost forgot what I was wanting to contribute...  :P

  My friend's C-22 had a rather tough life as he used to lend it out quite often.  I know that it slammed into a bridge piling at speed with no apparent structural damage... and it was once towed with the swing keel down (broken cable) backwords by a 200hp boat at high speed... with the keel dragging ground.   :o :o

  While the keel swing pins are a known leak point, I do believe that they are reasonably strong.

  I would cross the gulf stream in one, but the weather would have to be perfect.  Once in the Abaco's I think that the swing keel would be a real benefit.

[ronc98]

Curious,  What type of seas do you get in the gulf stream on a good weather day?

[Lynx]

I guess it depends on what you mean by "Good Weather". I would call it what you can handle for 12+ hrs going to where you want to go.

Check out the NOAA Weather buoys history data. I want at least no north quadrant winds in excess of 12 mph for 24 hrs. I will now go in North quadrant winds of less than 10 mph.

Depends on you and your boat. Usually you will get into the Gulf Stream within 1 hr of leaving Fl and you will know and can return if needed.

I always suggest that you get one of the Sailing Computer games and plug into the Gulf Stream Buoy data and try it out.

A good auto pilot is well worth the money even if you are 6'4" 275 pounds.

My buddy boat was a MacGregor 25 Swing Keel that he bloted in place for the crossing. Last I heard he is in the Exumas still. We crossed in Nov. 07. He has a blog, I can find it again if you would like.

[s/v Faith]

There is a free C-26 on Craig's list Pensacola right now...