26 Feet, 2 Cabins & Only $5,400! | 1977 Parker Dawson 26 Pocket Cruiser | Full Tour

• May 02, 2026 by BoatFools Sailing |
• Language: EN
• Play Time: 00:24:44
• SAILING YOUTUBERS

#boatfoolssailing #pocketcruiser #Budgetboat #sailboat #trailerablesailboat #boattour

26 Feet, 2 Cabins & Only $5,400?! | 1977 Parker Dawson 26 Pocket Cruiser | Full Tour

As of 05/15/2026: SOLD

***Quick note: technically this boat has a swing keel, which is 1,100 lbs, and locks in the down position for offshore. Unlike a centerboard, which is more for lateral resistance, this swing keel, when down, adds significant stability.

Canadian Ken and I were absolutely smitten by the charm, cleanliness, and quality of this beautifully kept 1977 Parker Dawson 26 — a rare and clever American-made trailerable pocket cruiser that offers far more space and versatility than you’d ever expect from a 26-foot sailboat.

Designed by Robert Finch (who also co-designed the hugely successful Catalina 27), the Parker Dawson 26 first appeared in the early 1970s and quickly stood out for its center-cockpit, double-cabin layout — an incredibly unusual feature in a boat this size. This smart design creates two separate living spaces, including a dedicated aft cabin with twin bunks and sink, plus a forward cabin with galley, dinette, v-berth, and quarter berth. It’s the kind of compact cruising sailboat that makes you wonder why more builders didn’t follow this formula.

CHAPTERS:
00:00 Intro - Which Cabin is Better?
00:58 What is a Parker Dawson 26?
03:38 Centerboard, Rudder & Topsides
08:18 The Cockpit, Helm & Engine
11:59 The Aft Cabin
15:42 The Main Cabin, Galley, Centerboard Controls
21:22 Our Final Thoughts!

With a beam of 8 feet, the Parker Dawson 26 is legally trailerable in many areas, and thanks to its shoal draft centerboard keel, she draws just 1'8" board up and 5'4" board down. That means easy launching, shallow-water exploring, protected coves, coastal gunkholing, and weekend adventures where deeper boats can’t go.

Parker Dawson 26 Key Specs:
Length Overall (LOA): 25'7"
Beam: 8'0"
Draft: 1'8" board up / 5'4" board down
Displacement: Approx. 4,000 lbs
Fiberglass construction
Commonly powered by small Yanmar diesel or outboard
Center cockpit sailboat
Double cabin layout
Trailerable cruiser design

This one especially impressed us for how clean, honest, and well cared for it appears. For anyone dreaming of affordable sailing, a compact cruiser, a trailerable sailboat, or a charming weekender with real accommodations, this Parker Dawson 26 deserves a serious look.

TO CONTACT THE SELLER, PLEASE EMAIL: SOLD 05/15/2026

If you love classic sailboats, budget cruisers, hidden gems, and practical boats with personality, you’re in the right place.

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26 Feet, 2 Cabins & Only $5,400! | 1977 Parker Dawson 26 Pocket Cruiser | Full Tour Locations

• Maine (45.253783,-69.4454689)