2026 One Design Cape 26

The Cape 26 is a performance-oriented racing sailboat designed by Mark Mills, built as a smaller companion to the acclaimed Cape 31. At 25.6 feet with an 8.4-foot beam, the boat combines strict one-design class rules with accessible, family-friendly sailing. The composite hull reaches speeds of 20 knots downwind and cruises at 6 knots, delivering strong performance across a range of wind conditions.

The boat features a carbon mast and foils matched to the Cape 31's engineering standards, offering responsive tuning and reliable performance. Its lifting keel and rudder system creates a shallow launching draft of just 0.4 meters, yet extends to 2.05 meters for racing, allowing easy trailer launching without sacrificing competitive capability. A bow launcher handles spinnaker hoisting and retrieval without requiring crew to leave the cockpit.

The cockpit is laid out for comfort with inward-facing seating and no hiking rail required within class rules, though optional OSR stanchions allow hiking for open events. The Mills Ramp Deck design prioritizes crew workability, while the fixed bowsprit folds for convenient mooring. With a carbon rig that steps easily and no runners, the Cape 26 is designed to handle the physical demands of launching and sailing with minimal crew effort.