Parker Dawson 26

Sumner · Mar 5, 2010

Are you talking about the one above with the center cockpit? I never saw one before until you posted and Googled it. Then I looked at the pictures here.....

http://www.boat-world.com/boatads/706562839.html

.....and couldn't figure the interior pictures out and then read it is a center cockpit and then the pictures made more sense. Don't know if I would want my down below area divide up like that or not on a small boat. Some specs.....

http://sailboatdata.com/viewrecord.asp?class_ID=424

If you look further I can tell you that we are very happy with our 1990 Mac 26S. Light on the trailer like an under 20 foot boat, but still pretty darn roomy inside and sails nice,

Sum

Our Trips to Lake Powell, UT - Kootenay Lake, Canada - Priest Lake, ID

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sailingdog · Mar 5, 2010

Odd little beastie...I'm a bit surprised that the cockpit is as large as it is, since the center cockpit design causes you to loose a lot of interior space.

Benny · Mar 5, 2010

Interesting boat. At first the design does not look very practical for a boat that size but I see some posibilities. You get a more roomy cockpit as it makes full use of maximum beam. Also with the installation of a custom canvas cover you can enhance the cabin size; even a boom tent can help join the split cabin together at anchor. With only around a 1000 lbs of ballast it may be a little tender but acknowledge that this may be a compromise to keep weight down for trailering purposes.

novelman17130 · Mar 5, 2010

jwa said:
I've been looking to upsize to a larger trailerable boat and so far like what I've read about the Parker Dawson 26.
Anyone out there with first hand knowlege care to comment on the boat?
Thanks - jeff

JEFF,
Where is the rudder located? How is it steered, wheel or tiller/ The design does not look stable to use in my area (Southern California, Marina del Rey/Long Beach AND especially from the above locations to Catalina or any offshore islands.) What do other think or know about this boat. My personal preferance is that for the asking price of $10,000, many good Macgregors etc. can be purchased, at least in the Southen California area.
novelman

Rick D · Mar 6, 2010

Novelman, there was one by me in MDR many years ago. It has a weghted keel, not a centerboard and the keel retracts vertically rather than swinging. The rudder is transom-hung. The one I remember had wheel steering. She looked to be a pretty seaworthy trailable.

sailingdog · Mar 6, 2010

Novelman—

It does have a transom hung rudder and IIRC, they were all wheel steered, since the aft cabin makes a tiller pretty awkward.

sfisher896 · Mar 6, 2010

Background on Parker Dawson 26

jwa said:
I've been looking to upsize to a larger trailerable boat and so far like what I've read about the Parker Dawson 26.
Anyone out there with first hand knowlege care to comment on the boat?
Thanks - jeff

Parker Dawson 26 was the last name for over 300 a high quality boat made from the early 70s through the early 80s. The boat became too expensive to compete .

Originally the Midship 25, then Dawson 26 for over 300 hulls, then a few Bombay Dawson 26s built in Florida, before moving to New England as the Parker Dawson 26 after Capt Parker.

Swing keel of 1100 pounds, with a 40 to 1 winch to hoist.

Steering was with a push/pull cable wheel, or a cable operated tiller from in front of the aft cabin.

Rudder was aft mounted and a little bit of a delicate frame for the lifting rudder.

Motor was choice of Saildrive, Yanmar YSE/B/M,8, or the Vire 7 HP c cycle inboard gas engine. Many recent owners have gone to stern mounted outboards instead of replacing the inboards.

Secure cockpit, conservative sailplan and small but comfortable cabins. Our boat uses porta-pottis fore and aft, but some came with proper marine heads, but built before present waste disposal regulations.

Wonderful family boats for kids. We have eight grandchildren and will be taking 1 or 2 at a time for week long cruises.

Check <Parkerdawson.com)
Steve

novelman17130 · Mar 6, 2010

Rick D said:
Novelman, there was one by me in MDR many years ago. It has a weghted keel, not a centerboard and the keel retracts vertically rather than swinging. The rudder is transom-hung. The one I remember had wheel steering. She looked to be a pretty seaworthy trailable.

With the info you and other show, it indeed appears to be a boat I would take to Catalina, as I have many other sizes and makes.
novelman

RECESS · Mar 8, 2010

It would be pretty sweet with a boom tent. It could keep friends remaining friends that spend a weekend on a small sailboat together. A common area and separate places to sleep.