The Frances 26, a long-keeled, canoe-sterned sloop was designed by Chuck Paine and built in the USA by Morris Yachts.
Essentially the same sailboat as the Victoria 26, but built in the USA by Morris Yachts and renamed the Frances 26.
Underwater Configuration: Long keel, canoe stern
Hull Material: GRP (fibreglass)
Length Overall: 26' 0" / 7.92m
Waterline Length: 21' 3" / 6.48m
Beam: 8' 0" / 2.44m
Draft: 3' 10" / 1.17m
Rig Type: Fractionally rigged sloop
Displacement: 6,800lb / 3,084kg
Designer: Chuck Paine
Builder: Morris Yachts (US)
Year First Built: 1975
Number Built: 200+
Owners Association: Frances 26 Owners
1. Sail Area/Displacement Ratio: 15.1
2. Ballast/Displacement Ratio: 51.5
3. Displacement/Length Ratio: 316
4. Comfort Ratio: 29.0
5. Capsize Screening Formula: 1.7
1. A Sail Area/Displacement Ratio of just 15.1 suggests that she'll need a stiff breeze to get her going. In any other conditions, unless you've got plenty of time on your hands, motor-sailing will be the way to go.
2. A Ballast/Displacement Ratio of 51.5 means that she'll stand up well to her canvas in a blow, enabling her to power through the waves.
3. A Displacement/Length Ratio of 316, tells us she's clearly a heavy displacement cruising boat. You can load her down with all your cruising gear and equipment and it will hardly affect her waterline. Not an ideal choice for coastal sailing, but will come into her own on an offshore passage in testing conditions.
4. Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio of 29.0 suggests that crew comfort in a seaway is similar to what you would associate with the motion of a coastal cruiser, which is not encouraging news for anyone prone to seasickness.
5. Her Capsize Screening Formula of 1.7 tells us that she would be a better choice of sailboat for ocean passage-making than one with a CS rating of more than 2.0.
Are there any used Frances 26s or similar sailboats advertised for sale on Sailboat-Cruising.com?
Mar 31, 23 08:51 AM
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Mar 28, 23 05:33 AM