My dream has been to make a passage across the Atlantic and some extended cruising. Over the years this has been out of the realm of possibility because, well, I couldn’t afford more than a used sunfish (hard to sleep on and no head). Well, now I have been given a Tylercraft T26 it’s a fairly heavy 26′ 2" 4-foot draft iron keel boat. It was built in 1975 and the standing rigging was replaced 7-8 years ago. In the electronics dept it’s well equipped (radar etc.). I’m going to have to rework the cabin and have looked at improving it’s seaworthiness ( decreasing cockpit volume increasing scupper volume etc.) Do you have any thoughts on a boat of this size and blue water sailing with the caveat that I would carefully plan routes, seasons, to pick the best times and latitudes to travel? Thanks! Nathan F.
Hi Nathan: Don’t worry about boat size. More important to have good ground tackle, storm sails, and reliable albeit basic structure and systems. And most important, are your seamanship skills. Finally, don’t assume you can plan your way around weather. Assume the worst–and you probably be in good shape. Steve
Posted by Steve Dashew (November 30, 1999)
June 11th, 2009 at 9:48 pm
Hello Steve, I am a sausalito ca based sailor with several too many boats. I am selling my comanche 42 S&S sloop and our cascade 36 I have downsized and bought an old Tyler craft 26 on a trailer and am setting it up for trailer cruising to Baja and for the NW. I was sent an old posting on your blog site from 1999 from a Nathan who was outfitting a tyler 2 6 for a transatlantic crossing. Ever hear from him or had photos sent? I am researching what can be known about these boats to set it up for offshore use. I appreciate your inovation on the larger vessels you have designed. Friends of our cruised a Saga 65,similar to your deerfoot design. Take care and appreciate if someone might be able to respond. TIm Blair at 415 713 6876 ecoearthyacht@yahoo.com and ecoearthyacht.com website on the airstreams I rennovate
June 15th, 2009 at 3:01 pm
Hi Tim:
Sounds like a fascinating project, I do not have any info on Nathan’s efforts, other than what is already on SetSail.