The Hunter 26.5 is a recreational keelboat, built predominantly of fiberglass. It has a fractionalsloop rig, an aluminum mast and boom, a raked stem, a walk-through reverse transom, an internally-mounted spade-type rudder controlled by a laminated wooden tiller and a fixed wing keel. It displaces 4,400 lb (1,996 kg) and carries 1,800 lb (816 kg) of ballast. The fresh water tank has a capacity of 23 U.S. gallons (87 L; 19 imp gal).[1][2][4]
The boat has a draft of 3.50 ft (1.07 m) with the standard wing keel and 4.25 ft (1.30 m) with the optional deep draft keel.[1][2]
The boat is normally fitted with a small outboard motor for docking and maneuvering. A 9.9 hp (7 kW) outboard was factory standard equipment.[4]
The boat was delivered with many items as standard equipment, as part of the manufacturer's Cruise Pac. These included a 110% genoa foresail, mast head wind indicator, stainless steel front and rear pulpits, lifelines and stanchions, a stainless steel re-boarding ladder, holly and teak wood interior, dinette table, portable toilet, a stainless steel galley sink, stove, ice chest, an outboard motor bracket, anchor and anchor line and even life jackets.[4]
The design has a PHRF racing average handicap of 189 with a high of 198 and low of 186. It has a hull speed of 6.34 kn (11.74 km/h).[2][5]
