Designed by Johann Tanzer for racing, day sailing and cruising, the Tanzer 26 is built predominantly of fibreglass, with wood trim. It has a masthead sloop rig, a transom-hung rudder and a fixed fin keel. It displaces 4,350lb (1,973kg) and carries 1,950lb (885kg) of ballast. The hinged mast is mounted on the cabin top.[1][2][3]
The boat was built with a standard keel that gives a draft of 3.83ft (1.17m). Most examples built were powered by an outboard motor, but an inboard-mounted Japanese-built YanmarDiesel engine was optional.[1]
The accommodations include a forward cabin with a "V" berth with a hatch for ventilation and a folding door for privacy. The main cabin has a settee double berth and a quarter berth. The head is on the port side of the cabin and has a ventilator, with the galley on the starboard side. There is a folding table as well, that stows against the bulkhead.[3] Boats built in the 1980s has a different window configuration and improved forward hatch.[4]
The large[3] cockpit is self-draining and can seat six or more adults, with a sail locker and outboard motor fuel tank locker. An anchor locker is mounted forward. The mainsheet traveller is mounted to the bridge deck and jib sheet tracks are installed on the side toe rails.[3]
The boat has a PHRF racing average handicap of 216. It has a hull speed of 6.36kn (11.78km/h).[2]
In his description of the design, Richard M. Sherwood wrote, "This is a combination boat, for racing or cruising. The cockpit is large, so she is also a day sailer, with capacity for six or more. With a fairly high ballast/displacement ratio, she can be expected to be stiff."
1234Sherwood, Richard M.: A Field Guide to Sailboats of North America, Second Edition, pages 182-183. Houghton Mifflin Company, 1994. ISBN0-395-65239-1
↑McGoldrick, Michael (2018). "Tanzer 26". Sail Quest. Archived from the original on 2 March 2022. Retrieved 24 July 2018.