The boat was produced with two different deck plans, the flush-deck "Cruiser" and the "Courser", named for the bird, with a more conventional coach house cabin.[1][8]
The design has sleeping accommodation for six people, with a double "V"-berth in the bow cabin, two straight settee berths in the main cabin and an aft cabin with a double berth. The head is fully enclosed. Cabin headroom is 72 in (183 cm).[9][8]
For sailing downwind the design may be equipped with a symmetrical spinnaker of 480 sq ft (45 m2).[9]
The design has a hull speed of 6.29 kn (11.65 km/h).[2]
Variants
Chrysler 26
This model has a swing keel, displaces 5,000 lb (2,268 kg) and carries 1,900 lb (862 kg) of ballast. The boat has a draft of 6.17 ft (1.88 m) with the keel down and 2.25 ft (0.69 m) with it up, allowing operation in shallow water or ground transportation on a trailer.[10]
Chrysler 26 FK
This fixed keel model displaces 5,500 lb (2,495 kg) and carries 2,400 lb (1,089 kg) of ballast. The boat has a draft of 3.92 ft (1.19 m) with the standard keel.[10]
Operational history
The boat is supported by an active class club the Chrysler Sailors and at one time also the Chrysler Sailing Association.[11][12]
In a review SailRite wrote, "the Chrysler 26 is an excellent cruiser and features sleeping for six, with forward v-berth, double stern berth and two side berths. The Chrysler 26 also has an enclosed head for privacy. With six side windows and a translucent forward hatch there is plenty of ambient light."[9]