This is my 1st post, I would like peoples thoughts on what they think of the 26' Tasman for cruising.
Being in the low price bracket I wonder if it is worth the effort. I have looked at many others to be honest my funds don't allow me.
Can anyone tell me the standing headroom in these and possible layout. Have had difficulty obtaining them. There is no thoughts of off shore, well do the blue water nothing exciting like going round OZ, a gentle cruise up to Townsville, and down to Newcastle, Nelsons Bay
home being at this stage Tweed heads
suggest search this forum with "serb" for all posts since nov last year on his adventures. Am sure he will chime in soon. If you pick your ports to hop into and weather suitably and have time to do it the stretch of the coast you indicate should be possible, given a Tasman 26 in suitable condition as regards hull, diesel, rig (standing rigging <10yrs old or in good condition if older) and sails.
This is my 1st post, I would like peoples thoughts on what they think of the 26' Tasman for cruising.
Being in the low price bracket I wonder if it is worth the effort. I have looked at many others to be honest my funds don't allow me.
Can anyone tell me the standing headroom in these and possible layout. Have had difficulty obtaining them. There is no thoughts of off shore, well do the blue water nothing exciting like going round OZ, a gentle cruise up to Townsville, and down to Newcastle, Nelsons Bay
home being at this stage Tweed heads
Hi there,
Tasman 26 is an excellent little cruiser. You will love it. Very strange and fast boat. Strange because it is very very wide and head space is good (2m). Fast because it was designed as an offshore racer. The boat is pointing at the front and back. Speed varies between 5 to 7.5 knots depending of sea temperature, tide, engine and prop conditions and anti fouling. In strong wind do not overpower the boat I got scared ones. The boat is very light and in the 30 knots of wind you will fly. My engine is yse8 and it's old and tired. Currently looking to put a new string engine. Eventually I will get a Bavaria 34 footer (230k) in next two or three years time but I must admit for the last 8 months I have had a lot joy and fun with my Tasman 26. Once you learn how to handle that boat you will be surprised how fast and stable that little boat can be. With 10L of blue and white epoxy paint a bit of silicone and a nice blue and white rug from IKEA you can transform that boat into a nice little cruiser. I have replaced all my cables, new batteries, inverter, coffee mashine, gas stove, instilled solar panels. for me this little boat is perfect. Make sure that engine and prop are matched. Mine is 11x10.5 three blades. The day when antifuling and prop speed was done I was cursing 13km/h with weak engine (hull speed). Must ba a photo on the forum. Overall very impressive boat, stable and strong especially offshore. I have the opportunity to get rid of mine now and get a new Bavaria luxurious one but I just want to feel that ruder around the heads for the next couple of years before I start to turn a big steering wheel. Flying 7.5 knots around the heads is a special feeling and I will never get it from Bavaria or Hense 315 (6 knots max speed). It sounds crazy but I am telling you my thoughts about it. This is my first boat and I am still learning how to sail but been racing on many boats (Robertson 950, Masrm 31f, j99, etc.) I can tell you with good sails you will be very pleased with this boat. Tye person who designed the boat was an absolute legend. His name was Joe Adams. Unfortunately not with us any more. He moved mast and keel forward a bit and extended the tiller. It makes the boat very slow turner in very little wind but offshore makes this boat very cool toy. I love it and can't wait to put my offshore gear and go to fly around the heads. An enormous pleasure and nothing that pure joy! I don't think that it would be possible with Hutton 25 or something similar. Even Endouver 26 feels fast actually even faster than Tasman but not as stable and room inside the boat is way bigger than any other 26 footer. I can guarantee that. Visited many of them before the purchase.
Of course you can not compare Tasman 26 with Bavaria 34 or Hense 31f But for little money you can have a stable, very solid and a fast little boat, especially if your budget is low. Here are some pictures of mine. This boat was racing around Adelaide and won many races during 1990's.
Good luck with your Tasman.






